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<blockquote data-quote="Roman" data-source="post: 1847105" data-attributes="member: 1845">Well, I should have specified that there would still be sub-types that would provide the 'multi-dimensionality'. It is true, however, that a multi-dimensional matrix would the optimal solution, but this is nearly unachievable in the strict sense due to the complexity, though it can be approximated through sub-types which is what all proposed systems do. To create a true multi-dimensional matrix classification you would have to create several ways of categorizing based on themes. You could have: 1) Phenotypical Classification - classifies creatures by their external phenotype/bodily shape 2) Anatomical Classification - classifies creatures by their internal structure/anatomy 3) Material Classification - classifies creatures by the material/substance they are made of 4) Origin Classification - classifies creatures by their evolutionary/creation lineage/descent/origin Unless I am missing something these four classification types could together provide a relatively accurate multi-dimensional classification system. The disadvantage, however, would be increased complexity. &nbsp;It is a tough issue since D&amp;D is inconsistent with elements. Is Lightning/Electricity a D&amp;D element? Is acid a D&amp;D element? The D&amp;D energy types and elements are intermeshing and inconsistent. This is not even going into the fact that some people may prefer to use their own elemental systems (the medieval European elemental system [a confused version of which forms the basis for the D&amp;D elemental system], the Oriental elemental system, an elemental system taken from other mythological/legend systems or even an elemental system of their own creation). Hence, I think it is best to leave elements to unspecified sub-types which every DM can flash out on his own. I suppose there could be four elemental subtypes (Air, Earth, Fire and Water) described as examples.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Roman, post: 1847105, member: 1845"] Well, I should have specified that there would still be sub-types that would provide the 'multi-dimensionality'. It is true, however, that a multi-dimensional matrix would the optimal solution, but this is nearly unachievable in the strict sense due to the complexity, though it can be approximated through sub-types which is what all proposed systems do. To create a true multi-dimensional matrix classification you would have to create several ways of categorizing based on themes. You could have: 1) Phenotypical Classification - classifies creatures by their external phenotype/bodily shape 2) Anatomical Classification - classifies creatures by their internal structure/anatomy 3) Material Classification - classifies creatures by the material/substance they are made of 4) Origin Classification - classifies creatures by their evolutionary/creation lineage/descent/origin Unless I am missing something these four classification types could together provide a relatively accurate multi-dimensional classification system. The disadvantage, however, would be increased complexity. It is a tough issue since D&D is inconsistent with elements. Is Lightning/Electricity a D&D element? Is acid a D&D element? The D&D energy types and elements are intermeshing and inconsistent. This is not even going into the fact that some people may prefer to use their own elemental systems (the medieval European elemental system [a confused version of which forms the basis for the D&D elemental system], the Oriental elemental system, an elemental system taken from other mythological/legend systems or even an elemental system of their own creation). Hence, I think it is best to leave elements to unspecified sub-types which every DM can flash out on his own. I suppose there could be four elemental subtypes (Air, Earth, Fire and Water) described as examples. [/QUOTE]

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