Tier?

I keep hearing the word tier bandied about in each forum section. the last one was relating to a tier-3 Geist, so thus why it is here...

My question is; what is a tier? Does each line have them? And where are they mentioned/extrapolated on in the books?

Only the lines that use the word Tier in the mechanics use them--thus far, it'd only be Hunter and Geist (Though, Tiering would be appropriate for Werewolf and possibly even Promethean).  Basically, it refers to the scale of the social group you are involved in.  Tier 1 is a localized group, the very typical PC Party.  A Tier 2 group typically is a city or area sized social group, the overarching society that mosts games use.  Tier 3 is a much larger or more powerful social group, sometimes worldwide.

Oddly, in most games, you don't have a Tier because you belong to all three from the beginning so it isn't special to take note of what level you exist on.  Vampires have a private group of allies.  They also live in an overaching city structure led by a Prince.  They also belong to a World-wide Covenant.  You could see the Tiers as similar to this structure.  Geists seem to only eixst in a single Tier at a time.  Hunters seem to always stay in a small Cell (Their Tier 1), even if they join a larger group (SUch as the worldwide Teir 3 organizations, like Task Force: Valkyrie).

Okay, thank you, that makes sense.

...Wait. Then why did somebody say a tier-3 Geist is practically immortal, if it is only social networks? Argh.

Saerrian:

tier-3 Geist is practically immortal

It's the Sin-eater that is practically immortal.

Tiers are different power structures.
Tier 1: Usually just you and your group.
Tier 2: Other groups can and probably will support you.
Tier 3: Organized with the influence to be global.

Honestly the Tier system is slightly different between Hunter and Geist.

Saerrian:

Okay, thank you, that makes sense.

...Wait. Then why did somebody say a tier-3 Geist is practically immortal, if it is only social networks? Argh.

Being a member of a Krewe gives you certain benefits.  Tier 3 Krewes (Which, by Canon, are either non-existant, extinct, or sufficiently hidden that everyone thinks they are dead or never existed) grant their founders access to a merit that alters their ressurection costs (To either temporary Synergy loss only, or reducing the Max Syngery loss by 1, they haven't really said which officially).

All of this is explained pretty clearly in the Krewe section, though, so you might wanna read that.

Saerrian:

...Wait. Then why did somebody say a tier-3 Geist is practically immortal, if it is only social networks? Argh.

Tiers often represent more than just the size of your social network - it also represents the scale and concerns of your game.

Tier 1 games are focused around just the player party and whatever concerns them immediately.   This is the default style game in Werewolf, Promethean, and Geist.   You learn and grow in power based almost exclusively on what you personally can learn and develop.    A tier 1 vampire game would focus on a coterie's attempts to defend their territory from poachers, for example.

Tier 2 games focus on the effects of a larger city.   This is your default Vampire and Changeling game.   Organizations that work together to help with immediate concerns, which allows them to focus on discovering new powers and abilities.   You're concerned with a larger area and with other members of your supernatural race, but not much beyond your city's boundaries. 

Tier 3 games are epic in scale, with concerns that span the globe.   Mage is a prime example - the Orders are often considered to be global and have intra-city meetings, and the default story is an epic struggle against the Exarchs; there's even a book that details a way for a PC to become a god (Reign of the Exarchs) and one for exploring far off temples.  Tier 3 Hunters have access to powers that rival the most powerful of supernaturals.   Tier 3 Bound effectively become immortal deathlords and gods.    Most old WoD games are great examples.



Tiers don't simply imply the scale of a social organization.   It implies the scale of the game in all arenas.   Social, physical, intellectual, mystical...   Everything rises with the tiers, from a low key style to epic.   

Note that its even possible to have a high tier game without any organizational backing; discovering the ancient tomb of a fallen deathlord and taking up his mantle is a perfect example of a tier 3 Geist krewe.   Its all about the scale of the game.