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Whisker Hollow

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Competition & Title System Guide

Learn how titles, placements, and competitions work in Whisker Hollow

Core Philosophy

•Titles are per hamster, not per player. Each hamster earns their own title through their showing career.
•Titles represent showing experience & consistency, not genetics. Good care always raises the floor, even with RNG.
•You do not show babies or elderly hamsters. Age limits ensure ethical showing practices.
•Shows reward care, handling, presentation, wellbeing. Well-cared-for hamsters perform better.

1. What is Show Rank?

Show Rank (also called Exhibitor Level) represents your hamster's experience level on the show circuit. This is a game progression system, not official club titles. All hamsters begin at Novice Exhibitor (NE) and advance by earning Placements in competitions.

Placement = placing in the top positions of a competition class (typically 1st–3rd place, sometimes more depending on class size). Each placement earns 1 point toward rank advancement.

Note: Real hamster shows award placements and ribbons per show, but don't have universal title ladders. Show Rank is a game feature that tracks your hamster's overall experience, similar to how real exhibitors gain reputation through consistent success.

Where Titles Appear:

• As a badge/icon on the hamster profile
• Optionally as a prefix or suffix (toggleable in settings)
• On competition result screens

Example: N · Hazelwhisk Fern or Adv · Mosswillow Rowan

2. Show Rank Ladder

Ranks are cumulative—once earned, they never decrease. Here's the full show rank ladder:

Rank Name	Acronym	Placements Required
🌱Novice Exhibitor	NE	0
🌿Beginner Exhibitor	BE	5
⭐Junior Exhibitor	JE	15
🌟Intermediate Exhibitor	IE	30
💫Advanced Exhibitor	AE	50
✨Expert Exhibitor	EE	80
👑Champion Exhibitor	CE	120
💎Grand Champion Exhibitor	GCE	180
🏆Master Exhibitor	ME	250
✨👑Elite Exhibitor	EL	350

3. How Hamsters Advance Ranks

Placements

A hamster earns 1 Placement every time it places in a competition:

1st–3rd place (or more, depending on class size) = 1 placement each
Placements are cumulative across all eligible show types
No decay or loss of placements—once earned, they're permanent

Key Points:

• All placements count toward rank advancement, regardless of ring
• Classes split when entries ≥5 (by sex, coat type, pattern, color)
• There's no rush—ranks represent consistency over time

4. Show Rings

Shows are organized into rings, just like real hamster shows. Each ring uses different judging criteria based on breed standards and hamster registry status.

👑

Standards Ring

standards

Standardized colors judged on breed standard including color and markings

Eligible for:

Standardized colors

✨

Unstandardized Ring

unstandardized

Non-standard colors judged on type and condition (color not scored)

Eligible for:

Unstandardized colors

🤝

Pet/Fun Ring

pet_fun

Temperament and presentation focused - perfect for pet hamsters

Eligible for:

Standardized colors, Unstandardized colors

5. Age Limits (Very Important)

To match real hamster ethics and welfare standards:

•Minimum age: 8 weeks — Hamsters must be old enough to handle competition stress
•Maximum age: 20 months — Seniors can still show, but with slight penalties
•Senior penalties start at 18 months — More temperament variance, slight fatigue penalty

This subtly encourages rotation and retirement, ensuring hamsters aren't shown beyond their comfort.

6. Show Temperament

When entering a competition, your hamster's show temperament is calculated. This replaces the "focused/unfocused" concept with something more humane and realistic.

Calm & Confident

+20%

Your hamster is relaxed and ready to show

Neutral

Your hamster is performing normally

Anxious

-20%

Your hamster seems a bit stressed today

Influenced by: Tameness, recent handling streak, stress level, and age. Higher tameness and more handling = better temperament rolls.

7. Class Splitting

Like real hamster shows, classes split when entry count justifies it (typically ≥5 entries). This ensures fair judging and prevents one giant class.

Split Hierarchy:

By Species: Syrian vs Dwarf (always split)
By Sex: Male vs Female (if ≥5 entries)
By Coat Type: Short Hair, Long Hair, Satin (if ≥5 in sex class)
By Pattern: Banded, Dominant Spot, etc. (if ≥5 in coat class)
By Color Section: Agouti, Self, Patterned (if ≥5 in pattern class)
By Color: Specific color (if ≥5 in section class)

Example: If 8 Syrians enter Standards Ring, they split into "Standards Ring - Syrian (M)" and "Standards Ring - Syrian (F)", each awarding their own 1st-3rd placements (or more if class size warrants it). Winners proceed to "Best of Section" finals.

8. Club Bias (Judge Preferences)

Different clubs and judges value different aspects of hamster care and presentation. This reflects real-world hamster showing where judges have preferences.

How it works: If your hamster's strengths match the club's focus, they receive a small score bonus. Mismatches don't penalize—they just don't get the bonus.

Example:

A Grooming-Focused Club gives a +10% bonus to hamsters with high grooming and coat cleanliness scores. Your well-groomed hamster will perform better in these competitions, but won't be penalized in other types.

9. Judging Scoring (NHC Standards)

Shows use the National Hamster Council (NHC) Standards 100-point scoring system:

Standards Ring (Standardized Colors)

• Colour & Markings: 30 points
• Type: 25 points (body shape, head, proportion)
• Fur: 20 points (density, softness, length)
• Size: 10 points (large but not fat)
• Condition: 10 points (fitness, tameness, health)
• Eyes & Ears: 5 points (size, prominence)

Unstandardized Ring (Non-Standard Colors)

No colour scoring - points redistributed

• Type: 35 points
• Fur: 25 points
• Size: 10 points
• Condition: 15 points
• Eyes & Ears: 5 points
• Presentation: 10 points (overall balance/appeal)

Pet/Fun Ring

• Temperament on Table: 40 points
• Tameness & Handling: 25 points
• Coat Cleanliness: 15 points
• General Condition: 10 points
• Charm: 10 points (judge's impression, small RNG)

Key Point: RNG exists (especially in "Charm" and show temperament), but good care always raises the floor. A well-cared-for hamster will consistently perform better than a neglected one.

10. Viewing Your Hamster's Career

On each hamster's profile, visit the Career tab to see:

•Show Progress — Current title, placements earned, placements to next title
•Placement Breakdown — Count of 1st, 2nd, 3rd place (and higher) finishes
•Recent Results — Last show day results
•Awards — Ribbons, rosettes, trophies (cosmetic)

🐹

Competition & Title System Guide

Learn how titles, placements, and competitions work in Whisker Hollow

Core Philosophy

•Titles are per hamster, not per player. Each hamster earns their own title through their showing career.
•Titles represent showing experience & consistency, not genetics. Good care always raises the floor, even with RNG.
•You do not show babies or elderly hamsters. Age limits ensure ethical showing practices.
•Shows reward care, handling, presentation, wellbeing. Well-cared-for hamsters perform better.

1. What is Show Rank?

Placement = placing in the top positions of a competition class (typically 1st–3rd place, sometimes more depending on class size). Each placement earns 1 point toward rank advancement.

Where Titles Appear:

• As a badge/icon on the hamster profile
• Optionally as a prefix or suffix (toggleable in settings)
• On competition result screens

Example: N · Hazelwhisk Fern or Adv · Mosswillow Rowan

2. Show Rank Ladder

Ranks are cumulative—once earned, they never decrease. Here's the full show rank ladder:

Rank Name	Acronym	Placements Required
🌱Novice Exhibitor	NE	0
🌿Beginner Exhibitor	BE	5
⭐Junior Exhibitor	JE	15
🌟Intermediate Exhibitor	IE	30
💫Advanced Exhibitor	AE	50
✨Expert Exhibitor	EE	80
👑Champion Exhibitor	CE	120
💎Grand Champion Exhibitor	GCE	180
🏆Master Exhibitor	ME	250
✨👑Elite Exhibitor	EL	350

3. How Hamsters Advance Ranks

Placements

A hamster earns 1 Placement every time it places in a competition:

1st–3rd place (or more, depending on class size) = 1 placement each
Placements are cumulative across all eligible show types
No decay or loss of placements—once earned, they're permanent

Key Points:

• All placements count toward rank advancement, regardless of ring
• Classes split when entries ≥5 (by sex, coat type, pattern, color)
• There's no rush—ranks represent consistency over time

4. Show Rings

Shows are organized into rings, just like real hamster shows. Each ring uses different judging criteria based on breed standards and hamster registry status.

👑

Standards Ring

standards

Standardized colors judged on breed standard including color and markings

Eligible for:

Standardized colors

✨

Unstandardized Ring

unstandardized

Non-standard colors judged on type and condition (color not scored)

Eligible for:

Unstandardized colors

🤝

Pet/Fun Ring

pet_fun

Temperament and presentation focused - perfect for pet hamsters

Eligible for:

Standardized colors, Unstandardized colors

5. Age Limits (Very Important)

To match real hamster ethics and welfare standards:

•Minimum age: 8 weeks — Hamsters must be old enough to handle competition stress
•Maximum age: 20 months — Seniors can still show, but with slight penalties
•Senior penalties start at 18 months — More temperament variance, slight fatigue penalty

This subtly encourages rotation and retirement, ensuring hamsters aren't shown beyond their comfort.

6. Show Temperament

When entering a competition, your hamster's show temperament is calculated. This replaces the "focused/unfocused" concept with something more humane and realistic.

Calm & Confident

+20%

Your hamster is relaxed and ready to show

Neutral

Your hamster is performing normally

Anxious

-20%

Your hamster seems a bit stressed today

Influenced by: Tameness, recent handling streak, stress level, and age. Higher tameness and more handling = better temperament rolls.

7. Class Splitting

Like real hamster shows, classes split when entry count justifies it (typically ≥5 entries). This ensures fair judging and prevents one giant class.

Split Hierarchy:

By Species: Syrian vs Dwarf (always split)
By Sex: Male vs Female (if ≥5 entries)
By Coat Type: Short Hair, Long Hair, Satin (if ≥5 in sex class)
By Pattern: Banded, Dominant Spot, etc. (if ≥5 in coat class)
By Color Section: Agouti, Self, Patterned (if ≥5 in pattern class)
By Color: Specific color (if ≥5 in section class)

8. Club Bias (Judge Preferences)

Different clubs and judges value different aspects of hamster care and presentation. This reflects real-world hamster showing where judges have preferences.

How it works: If your hamster's strengths match the club's focus, they receive a small score bonus. Mismatches don't penalize—they just don't get the bonus.

Example:

9. Judging Scoring (NHC Standards)

Shows use the National Hamster Council (NHC) Standards 100-point scoring system:

Standards Ring (Standardized Colors)

• Colour & Markings: 30 points
• Type: 25 points (body shape, head, proportion)
• Fur: 20 points (density, softness, length)
• Size: 10 points (large but not fat)
• Condition: 10 points (fitness, tameness, health)
• Eyes & Ears: 5 points (size, prominence)

Unstandardized Ring (Non-Standard Colors)

No colour scoring - points redistributed

• Type: 35 points
• Fur: 25 points
• Size: 10 points
• Condition: 15 points
• Eyes & Ears: 5 points
• Presentation: 10 points (overall balance/appeal)

Pet/Fun Ring

• Temperament on Table: 40 points
• Tameness & Handling: 25 points
• Coat Cleanliness: 15 points
• General Condition: 10 points
• Charm: 10 points (judge's impression, small RNG)

Key Point: RNG exists (especially in "Charm" and show temperament), but good care always raises the floor. A well-cared-for hamster will consistently perform better than a neglected one.

10. Viewing Your Hamster's Career

On each hamster's profile, visit the Career tab to see:

•Show Progress — Current title, placements earned, placements to next title
•Placement Breakdown — Count of 1st, 2nd, 3rd place (and higher) finishes
•Recent Results — Last show day results
•Awards — Ribbons, rosettes, trophies (cosmetic)