Thanks for the great replies.
I have Joe's chart as well as the charts from Innova and Discraft. My opinion thus far (and I'm well aware that I could still be very ignorant as I'm new), is that these companies have a need to keep inventing new discs to stimulate sales, even if they're barely different from the ones that they already sell. I'm oversimplifying to make a point, but let's say they have a disc that goes 350 feet at full power and another one that goes 360 feet at full power - do they really need to invent one that's halfway in between, as if there are throwers who are so finely calibrated that they'd benefit from having all three discs?
It's to the point where their marketing departments can't even create verbiage that describes discs distinctly from one another. "A great disc for all purposes." "Also a great disc for all purposes." "Great for beginners and pros."
Or maybe there really are important differences between each disc, but they have a bad marketing department that doesn't know how to describe them in words?
The advice to buy multiples of the same disc makes sense to me, and I actually ordered a second Buzzz last night because I like my first one so much (both as a backup, and just to have an extra disc for throwing in the field).
To give an idea of my armspeed, I finally measured my throws last night by looking at a satelite photo of my field. I have a weak arm still, and I'm throwing my Leopard 180-220 (220 being a real good rip for me; 200 being pretty consistent), my Buzzz around 175, and my Aviar P&A maybe as far as 160ish.
So obviously for me, there are a couple categories of drivers that don't make any sense yet, so there are fewer categories of discs for me than for most of you. But I also don't want to buy a bunch of other drivers that do exactly what a Leopard does just because they are within my power range.
I ordered a Vision last night because I read on here that it's easy for beginners to throw, and Joe's chart rates it with more distance than a Leopard, but still with a low power requirement. So it's possible that that could add a new category to my bag, but then again, if I'm able to consistently throw it farther than my Leopard, I don't see why it wouldn't just replace the Leopard.
GREAT job sticking with discs that compliment how you throw. You may not be able to throw with the big guns, but you seem to pick your discs as smart as they do.
As far as me, I have 2 sets of categories I go for, with many specific divisions within that.
Backhand/forehand
Max Distance drivers- overstable, Stable, and understable.
Distance Drivers-overstable/stable, and understable.
Fairway Drivers-Overstable, Stable, and understable.
Mid-Range- Super overstable, slightly overstable, stable, slightly understable, and super understable.
-Putter-stable.
"Trick" Shots
Distance Hammer/Thumber-Slow flipper (overstable) and a fast flipper (understable)
Fairway Hammer/Thumber-Slow and fast again
Mid-Range hammer/Thumber-Just one disc does it all here.
Max Distance Backhand Roller-just something understable.
Distance Backhand Roller-Same as above.
Mid-Range Roller-Something slightly understable and something really understable.
Spike Hyzer/Grenade-an overstable, poorly gliding fairway driver.
Approach flick roller-overstable Driver.
That may sound like a lot of different discs and whatnot, but I only carry 14 discs, and i'm only looking to fill 2 of those slots. Plenty of discs fill in more than one spot (There are 4 discs that take up 3 spots each), although I am always looking for new discs to replace any spot.
I will say this too, because it is important. I only add new slots as I learn new shots. I'm still learning 2 of those (as in I can't throw them yet, and I will only try them if there is no way I can throw another shot in the bag). and there are 2 others that I still don't have all the kinks worked out of, although I could throw them in a round if need be.