Most of all, though, I'd like to thank all my wonderful, dedicated fans. Without their support, I'd genuinely be nowhere!
- Archetype, Grand Champion Trainer of the 27th Season
Truer words were certainly never spoken. The Ultimate Monster Battle Arena is a vast, city-spanning machine, and few lie outside of its influence; the Championship dominates day to day life for virtually the entire populace. There are those who actively fight with Monsters, granted, but this is only half the story. Without the Fans - those who regularly attend fights in person, show active support for their favourites, buy merchandise, write stories, design posters - the entire operation would flounder. As most of these enthusiasts also possess their own Monsters, the line between Trainer and Fan has never been particularly solid; however, without the latter, there would scarcely be any point to the former.
At the end of the day, you can be an expert Monster Trainer with flawlessly efficient technique, equipped with a Monster that borders on invincible… but you will never be truly ultimate unless you gain the love and respect of the Arena Fans. These connoisseurs of drama and intrigue are notoriously fickle and difficult to please: one day, they may be queuing up in droves to grab an autograph from the latest winner - only to drop everything and jump ship (so to speak) the moment an engaging newcomer appears on the scene.
Obliterosaurus Rage is looking like a fair bet this season - not only did everyone's favourite feisty poisonous giant crocodile put up a tremendous fight in last month's heats, but take a look at that gorgeous new purple coating on its scales: signs point to heat resistance! Cannier Commentators have noted that what it lacks in endurance, it makes up for in sheer brute strength: a lesson its primary competitor, The Shadow - famed for favouring stealth over grit - might do well do well to heed.
- Shell, 'Capes, Claws and Carnage: This Year's Lineup' from the fanzine Blaze
Given the phenomenal physical diversity amongst those that test their strength in the Battle Arena - where talons clash with venomous fangs clash with preternatural dark energy from the all-devouring void of beyond - it can be difficult to gauge their potential efficacy in a fight. Who better to lay accurate odds than the Fans who scrutinise their every move? At every fight of the Season, you will find experts: dedicated groupies whose mission is to categorise and assess the fighting talents of every Monster that crosses their path, from last season's newcomer to last decade's veteran.
Statistics and predictions tend to be collated in the fanzines like Blaze: a popular, Monster-focused breakdown of the latest contenders. Rival zines will often provide different perspectives, or lay down slightly altered odds; if you're aiming to seek out next Season's Champion in advance, it helps to keep abreast of all the commentary.
Get your true-to-scale, waterproof, fully-disassemblable Giant Block of Wood figurines here, folks!
In addition to ticket and refreshment sales, the Battle Arena also draws its official revenue from the sale of Monster-related merchandise. Customers throng to stalls around the stadium selling posters, figurines, stickerbooks, T-shirts, edibles… If you can slap a Battle Arena logo on it, then it's fair game.
Most popular of all are the Battle Arena Trading Cards: collectibles from which Fans can play fantasy Leagues during off-nights where there's no Monster Battle on. Casual gamers prefer to trade and play amongst their friends; however, semi-professional competitions allow a certain amount of profit to be made for the avid collector.
All of this merchandise, naturally, is subject to tight control from those who run the Arena. Woe betide the entrepreneur who tries to sell their wares without paying the requisite licensing fees.
Okay, but can we just talk about Lightquencher for a moment, please? Today, she met with her nemesis, the Empress of Evisceration, for the first time this season, in the freaking semi-final! SUCH an intense match. The LOOKS they exchanged - oh my word! Her one - her only - match. The only one who could ever keep up with her. OT friggin' P, people!
- Quench, 'Monster Handlers Whose Chemistry I Just Can't Handle', from the fanzine Super Special Mega Awesome Stuff
Fandom is not always stats-oriented. The Battle Arena is a hotbed of drama and adrenaline; some of the greatest stories of friendship, rivalry and betrayal in the known world are played out on the Monster-fighting stage. Fans flock to the most charismatic and successful of Monsters and Trainers, and their support can be make or break.
There is an entire community built around fannish creativity. Die-hard Fans write fic of all stripes about their favourites, collating it in zines like Super Special Mega Awesome Stuff. There are even publications devoted to specific pairings, individuals, types of Trainers or types of fic. Other fans prefer to write analytical essays about certain League contenders' Monster-fighting styles, or their dynamics with other teams.
If writing isn't your style, then there are other outlets for creativity. Innovative fans have been known to design posters or figurines, and even draw works of art featuring their favourite Monsters. Those of a musical bent have composed fan songs in honour of their idols. For them, it is a chance to air their creativity. For the people and Monsters for whom it is created, a thriving and prolific fanbase is a symbol of success.
If you are planning on generating a character who is, or may be, a fan of a particular PC, please read the 'OC Behaviour Guidelines' section of our Equality and Themes page.