making a proper post on this cuz I think some other plurals would like this! so we recently came up with a new system (haha. system) for categorising our protectors because our protectors to have a pattern(?) to them but labelling them as social, emotional or physical or even defensive/offensive didn't really work for us. It's inspired by the lines of defense in the immune system! Coined by. the immune system LOL
First Line of Defense
A headmate who is a host or otherwise very frequently fronting. They may or may not have avoidant/defensive behaviours, and defend against all threats.
Second Line of Defense
Headmates who are the first to take over/switch in when headmates in the first line of defense switch out from stress/threats/etc or the first line is otherwise broken through. Defends against all threats, like the first line.
Third Line of Defense
Headmates who target specific threats that have been encountered in the past. Specific roles may include grudge holders, memory/trauma holders, etc, but are not limited to these.
Kept the definitions somewhat loose! We use these to get an idea of how our system protects ourselves, and if its an organisation method that works for your collective as well then go for it, even if it's not 100% exact to the given definition :)
also feel free to upload to pluralpedia idc
