View source for Hunter's Title

'''Hunter's Titles''' are indicators of experience and seniority in MouseHunt. Rank is based on the quality and quantity of mice caught. As [[hunter]]s catch more mice, they become more experienced. More experienced hunters gain access to new areas (though occasionally they must collect the proper [[loot]]) and become more effective at hunting, [[crafting]] and using [[potion]]s. 

== Ranks ==
The ranks are as follow:

{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="8" style="border:1px solid #999999; margin:5px 0 20px 20px; width:80%;"
 |- style="text-align:left; font-size:120%;"
 ! Rank
 ! Description
 |- style="background-color:#EEEEEE;"
 | valign="top" | '''Novice'''
 | A Novice hunter only has access to the [[Town of Gnawnia]] and [[Meadow]] locations and has no [[crafting#Available_Slots|crafting abilities]]. The rank of Novice is signified by a white shield ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/novice.gif link]) next to the player's name.
 |-
 | valign="top" | '''Apprentice'''
 | Upon reaching the rank of Apprentice, the player can now hunt in the [[Harbour]] location and acquires minimal crafting abilities.  Apprentices may begin accumulating [[Stale Cheese]], and may participate in [[Tournaments]]. The rank of Apprentice is signified by a yellow shield ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/apprentice.gif link]) next to the player's name.
 |- style="background-color:#EEEEEE;"
 | valign="top" | '''Journeyman'''
 | Upon reaching the rank of Journeyman, the player can now hunt in the [[Mountain]]. Assuming they have collected the proper loot, they can also hunt in the [[Calm Clearing]] location. The Journeyman's crafting abilities increase. The rank of Journeyman is signified by an orange shield ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/journeyman.gif link]) next to the player's name.
 |-
 | valign="top" | <div id="Master">'''Master'''</div>
 | Upon reaching the rank of Master, the player is eligible to hunt in the [[Laboratory]], [[Town of Digby]], and [[Mousoleum]] locations of the [[Burroughs]] region, and the [[Great Gnarled Tree]] location of the [[Whisker Woods]] region, assuming they have collected the proper loot. It is also the first ranking at which [[Radioactive Blue Cheese Curd Potion]]s and [[Gnarled Cheese Curd Potion]]s can be collected and used. The Master's crafting abilities also increase. The rank of Master is signified by a purple shield ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/master.gif link]) next to the player's name.
 |- style="background-color:#EEEEEE;"
 | valign="top" | '''Grandmaster'''
 | Upon reaching the rank of Grandmaster, the player is eligible to hunt in the [[Training Grounds]], [[Dojo]], [[Meditation Room]], and [[Pinnacle Chamber]] locations of the [[Furoma]] area, the [[Lagoon]] location of the [[Whisker Woods]] area, and the [[Bazaar]] location of the [[Burroughs]] area, assuming they have collected the proper loot. Grandmasters also receive a bonus when using potions and a further increase in crafting abilities. The rank of Grandmaster is signified by a blue shield ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/grandmaster.gif link]) next to the player's name.
 |-
 | valign="top" | '''Legendary'''
 | Upon reaching the rank of Legendary, the player is eligible to enter the [[Catacombs]] with a repaired [[Tattered Mousoleum Map|Mousoleum map]], and assuming they have collected the proper loot the [[Forbidden Grove]] and [[Acolyte Realm]] of the [[Bristle Woods]] area. On crafting the Ship, a Legendary hunter may enter the [[S.S. Huntington II]] area in [[Rodentia]]. On crafting the [[Ocean Navigation Kit]], the hunter may travel to the [[Cape Clawed]], [[Derr Dunes]], [[Elub Shore]] and [[Nerg Plains]] areas of the [[Tribal Isles]] region.  Legendary hunters also receive a further bonus when using potions and a further increase in crafting abilities. The rank of Legend is signified by a green shield ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/legendary.gif link]) next to the player's name.
 |- style="background-color:#EEEEEE;"
 | valign="top" | '''Hero'''
 | Upon reaching the rank of Hero, the player is eligible to enter the [[Jungle of Dread]] in [[Tribal Isles]] with an [[Ocean Navigation Kit]]. Heroes also receive a further bonus when using potions and a further increase in crafting abilities. The rank of Hero is signified by a black shield with a white star in the center ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/hero.gif link]) next to the player's name.
 |-
 | valign="top" | '''Knight'''
 | Upon reaching the rank of Knight, the player is eligible to enter the [[Dracano]] area in [[Tribal Isles]] with an [[Ocean Navigation Kit]] and possibly meeting other requirements which are presently unclear.  Knights also receive a further bonus when using potions and a further increase in crafting abilities. The rank of Knight is signified by a black shield with a yellow cross in the center ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/knight.gif link]) next to the player's name. 
 |- style="background-color:#EEEEEE;"
 | valign="top" | '''Lord/Lady'''
 | There is no hunting area exclusive to Lords/Ladies.  However, Lords/Ladies receive a further bonus when using potions and a further increase in crafting abilities. The rank of Lady is signified by a black shield with a pink outline and bullseye in the center ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/lady.gif link]) next to the player's name.  The rank of Lord is signified by a black shield with a blue outline and bullseye in the center ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/lord.gif link]) next to the player's name.
|-
 | valign="top" | '''Baron/Baroness'''
 | This is currently the highest known rank. There is no hunting area exclusive to Barons/Baronesses.  However, Barons/Baronesses receive a further bonus when using potions and a further increase in crafting abilities. The rank of Baroness is signified by a black shield with a pink outline and 2 golden lines down the middle with 2 golden stars on the edges ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/baroness.gif link]) next to the player's name. The rank of Baron is signified by a black shield with a blue outline and 2 golden lines down the middle with 2 golden stars on the edges ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/baron.gif link]) next to the player's name.  
 |- style="background-color:#EEEEEE;"
 | valign="top" | '''Donor'''
 | The MouseHunt developers recognize players that have donated money to purchase [[SUPER brie+|SUPER|brie+]]. Being a donor is not a 'rank' but all donors are given a golden shield ([http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/techdawg668/donate_shield.gif link]) next to their name to signify their donation. Currently the Donor's shield has been taken off the scoreboard, and there is no indication that it will come back. However, when you donate to MouseHunt to purchase [[SUPER brie+|SUPER|brie+]], the MouseHunt icon (at the top left of the page) will turn golden as a recognition of your donation.
 |}

== Rank Advancement ==
Rank advancement is not based directly on the points earned. So, rank will not increase through the bonus points earned through King's [[rewards]], sounding the horn, Lab Research, etc. Instead the rank progress bar increases through the hunter's activity in the game.

Every hunt gives some base progress. The same progress is always made when a mouse is not caught — that is, some progress is made even if a mouse is not attracted or when one steals points or cheese. If one catches a mouse, additional progress is made based on a formula known only to the developers ([[#Rank Advancement formula|see approximation below]]). The higher a player's level, the longer it takes to advance to the next level.

Note that rank may advance for both [[trap check]]s and for going on hunts. During trap checks, however, a hunter only gains half the progress of a normal hunt.

== Rank Advancement formula ==
The formula for the rank advancement seems to be linear and so it can be well [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_regression approximated] based on even a small number of hunts.

Rank advancement formula when a hunter is going on a hunt (the horn is sounded in any way):
<pre>mouse_factor * points_for_mouse + base_points</pre>
Rank advancement formula for hourly trap checks:
<pre>(mouse_factor * points_for_mouse + base_points)/2</pre>
Note, ''points_for_mouse'' means points a hunter gets for a mouse based on its type (Brown, White etc) and its weight. If a mouse was not caught this is always 0 (which means you only get base points then).

{| border=1 cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|+ '''Factors calculated for each hunter's title'''
|- style="background-color:#eee"
! hunter's title !! base points !! mouse factor !!title="maximal difference between actual value and calculated value in the sample"| max error !!title="number of hunts in the sample"| hunts
|-
| Journeyman || 0.0810 || 0.0003252 || 0.0076 || 65
|-
| Master || 0.0295 || 0.0001160 || 0.0092 || 100
|-
| Grandmaster ||0.0130 || 0.0000533 || 0.0079 || 65
|-
| Legendary || 0.0062 || 0.0000247 || 0.0067 || 65
|}
Note, there is no way to calculate exact factors as the current rank is shown rounded to 2 decimal places.

[[Category:Terminology]]