Freelance Loot System

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Freelance Loot System

EQDKP Database

Freelance uses a DKP system for item distribution during raids.  This document explains the system, rules and related procedures.


Item Distribution Overview

Freelance distributes items based on DKP and Raid Attendance (RA%).

Each player's current DKP holdings up to 1000 is multiplied by their RA% resulting in Effective DKP.

During raids, players can only use their Effective DKP to purchase items.  Item purchases from that night and any previous raid nights for the month are subtracted in real-time from a player's Effective DKP only.

Players opt-in on items they are interested in.  Winners are determined by highest current Effective DKP.  Ties resolved via /random 1000, highest wins.

Each "Real Life" person is allowed to opt-in for an unlimited number of items.  The only restriction is that for equipment, the person must be able to equip/activate the item.

Following the above processes, any remaining items are placed in the FFA pool to be distributed only when announced in /raidsay.  FFA items are associated with their standard base cost by category, as indicated in the Item Base Costs (IBC) table below.  Anyone can loot FFA items.

Item Base Costs:

Category		Slot		Type		Base Cost		FFA		Retro Content
LOOT		PRI/SEC, Range		Weapon		100		50		50
LOOT		Armor		Non-visible		100		50		50
LOOT		Bracer		Visible		50		50		50
LOOT		Gloves, Head, Feet		Visible		100		50		50
LOOT		Arms, Legs		Visible		200		50		50
LOOT		Breastplate		Visible		250		50		50
LOOT		-		Tradeskill (TS)		250		50		50
RUNE		-		Spell		25		25		25
AUG		-		Non-visible		250		50		50
N/A		-		Misc.		10		10		10

Category item prices may vary depending on expansion and normally are stipulated in the regular weekly scheduled events post in Upcoming Events & Strategy area.

Loot is tracked in real-time during raids via the Freelance Tracker (FLT).


How to Opt-in / Opt-out on Items

Each item is announced in /raidsay for a short duration.  Any player interested in the item expresses "aye" in /raidsay.

After a short interval, a LAST CALL is issued in /raidsay, followed a short time later by a CLOSED call.

Winners are determined by highest current Effective DKP amongst all the players who opted-in.  Ties resolved via /random 1000, highest wins.

To Opt-out:

A player may issue any of following commands in /raidsay if they wish to pass or withdraw during item processing:

• pass
• out
• withdraw (wd)

DKP Earning

Players earn DKP and RA% by participating in raids.  Players on the bench during an event will be awarded RA% but not DKP.

Earnings Calculation: Total DKP spent per event divided by number of raiders participating (excluding players on the bench).

Raid entries for Start, Finish, Wipe, and Fail are always 1 DKP.  The earnings calculation does not apply to these raid entries.


DKP Spending

This calculation is done in two different ways depending on the context: during a raid and when the raid night is over.

At the beginning of each raid night a player's current DKP (cDKP) holdings up to 1000 is multiplied by their Raid Attendance (RA%) resulting in Effective DKP (eDKP).

During the raid night, when item distribution takes place, item purchases from that night and any previous raid nights for the week are subtracted in real-time from a player's Effective DKP (eDKP) only.

When the raid night is over and DKP is entered into our tracking system, each player's spent DKP for the night is subtracted from their Current DKP holdings.

Note: Players with negative DKP holdings the calculation is based on RA as normal and then the result subtracted from DKP holdings.  This way negative DKP holding players benefit from RA as they would if their DKP was in the positive.


DKP Penalties

Actions below constitute a violation and will incur quintuple (5x) associated category cost of item penalty.

Action		Cost
Looted incorrect item		x
Looted too many items		x

Item Category Definitions & Special Items

Categories:

LOOT		Visible/non-visible armor, weapons etc.
RUNE		Spells/Discs
AUG		Augmentations
N/A		Containers, Ornamentations, Power Sources, Ammo, Guild Hall Trophies, Quest Items, Cultural Pieces

Special Items:

Special Items List		-	This list may contain chase/rare/quest/evolving type items.
			Any item on this list costs triple (3x) its associated Item Base Cost by category.
			When the list contains items, it will be available in the regular weekly scheduled post in Upcoming Events & Strategy area.
Progression Items		-	Progression items such as Key/Flags are distributed via the opt-in process and categorized as N/A but not subject to a cost.
Special Case Items		-	Items that spawn instances; unlock doors; and/or required for raid functionality are distributed to the Raid Leader, and/or Raid Authority.

Retro Content - Item Distribution by Player Request

Older content is designated under retro content which alters the process for item distribution in order to expedite the process.  At the time of item distribution the chest contents will be linked in /raidsay and players interested are asked to link in the FLRaids channel the items they want processed.

Retro content items are associated with their standard base cost by category, as indicated in the Item Base Costs (IBC) table.


Raid Attendance

Each player's Raid Attendance (RA%) is one of the determining factors as to whether they earn DKP credit for any particular raid.  RA% is based over a period of 90 days.

To be considered in attendance, you must meet the following conditions:

• Ready for action
• In the zone specified
• Within range of the raid

There are no exceptions to the above stipulations.  This includes the following:

• No adjustments for Linkdead (LD), AFK, RIP time elapsed.
• No additions for joining after RA check.
• No other excuses, including real life emergencies will be considered, ever.

The list above may seem harsh, however, the reality is, there's no accurate way in which the Raid Leader can make adjustments and be fair to everyone.  There's just no taking anyone at face value regarding any situation that may affect ones attendance.  The moment any adjustment is made, it raises speculation as to bias/favoritism.  Everyone must accept that they will miss attendance checks from time to time for whatever reasons.

Be Aware: If you are part of the raid and subject to one of the above stipulations, you do not receive DKP credit nor are you allowed to opt-in on any items for that event.

Important: Only attend on the character you intend on playing.  No boxes please.  If you want to play a character you feel is in need at the time, then join the raid on a single character only first; assess the raid setup, then drop and join on the character you feel would be more helpful.  To be clear, there is no obligation to play a character in need.  In fact, when players ask us, we tell them play the character they want to play.  We work with the setup we're given.

DKP Check Procedure:

• At start - when clearing trash, and/or prepping for an event or target.
• At event or target engage.
• At finish - when raid is done for the night.

Start DKP Check Exceptions:

• In situations where no event happens for whatever reasons, the start DKP check will not be entered into the system.
• Players will not be given credit for attending only Start DKP Check and leaving before the actual raid event and/or ending up on the Bench.

Raid Bench

It's each player's responsibility to monitor our channel MOTD and/or calls for invites for raid gathers and/or target changes.  Players who wish to participate in our raid must be at the indicated gather zone/prep/NPC and request an invite via the normal /tell procedure.

A related /raidsay call is made when bench swaps are completed.  Any players in Group 0 (zero), are part of the Raid Bench for that target.  As the /raidsay call suggests, the players will drop the raid so that an Instance/DZ can be obtained.

Raid Bench Selections:

Please understand, that due to time constraints; no explanation will be given to players who end up on the Raid Bench for any given target.  Benched players may be swapped/selected according to one or more of the following criteria:

• Flags - Players in need of x flag for y event.
• Attendance - Players present at one raid may be alternated out the next to allow a greater number of participants.
• Classes to Event/Setup demand - Players exchanged for one or more class in need for the given events success.
• Player Performance.

The raid window in-game can only hold 72 characters.  If/when we exceed the 72 capacity, any additional players will not be given Raid Bench credit.


Zero-tolerance Policy

We have a zero-tolerance policy with regards to item distribution.  If you're not sure on any aspect of the rules below, it's your responsibility to ask questions.  We recommend you never loot an item unless it has been awarded to your character by the person delegating loot and/or told to do so explicitly by the Raid Leader or someone designated with Raid Authority.  Looting something out of turn, and then claiming you didn't understand the rules is not acceptable and can result in a ban for life from Freelance raids.


Terminology

This section defines terms and abbreviations used within this system and/or during item distribution.

TERM		DEFINITION
Loot		Items considered of value that drop during raids; usually from main events, but sometimes other sources.
		LOOT is also used as a category of item; visible/non-visible armor, weapons etc., are forms of LOOT category items.
Loot Bounty		A collection of items considered of value that drop upon successful completion of an event.
Real Life Person		A single person in the real world controlling single/multiple characters in-game
		All characters controlled by a single real life person are considered the same person.
Free for All (FFA)		FFA in the context of item distribution means items are available for looting to anyone.
Dragon Kill Points (DKP)		DKP usually represents a unit/currency which is awarded for raid participation.  DKP is used to purchase items.
Current DKP (cDKP)		An individual's total points or holdings as designated.
Effective DKP (eDKP)		An individual's points as a result of their Current DKP (cDKP) multiplied by their Raid Attendance (RA%).
Item Base Cost (IBC)		A numerical value attached to an item.
Raid Attendance (RA%)		An individual's participation as a percentage over a period of time (currently 90 days)
Raid Bench		Individual's in the raid, but on the side-lines waiting to participate as a spot becomes available and/or are given the opportunity.
Mains, Alternates, Boxes		Different character classifications.  In the loot system context, these characters are tracked separately.

The FL Team - Pie Management Dept.

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Updated the Freelance Loot System document.  Specific details can be found HERE

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Updated the Freelance Loot System document.  Specific details can be found HERE

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Updated the Freelance Loot System document.  Specific details can be found HERE

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Raid Attendance

This section covers attendance procedure, stipulations, exceptions, and abuse.


Raid Attendance Procedure

Each person's raid attendance, is the determining factor as to whether they earn DKP and the amount for any particular raid.


DKP Check Procedure

• At start - when clearing trash, and/or prepping for an event or target.
• At event or target engage.
• At finish - when raid is done for the night.

Note:  Start/Finish checks are always 1 DKP.

. . .

Changes to how Start Checks are done:

1 DKP Start Check is granted independent of the raid target.

This means that for raid gathers where no event happens for whatever reason(s), the start DKP check will still be entered in the system and all players who attended receive credit.

Exception:  Players will not be given credit for attending only Start DKP Check and leaving before the actual raid event.

Previously, before this change, all Start Checks had a tie in with the raid target.  So when a raid had to be cancelled after gathering, no start check was entered, and therefore no one was rewarded for the gather.  This clearly isn't fair; was raised recently, and admittedly it's been something I've been musing to change for a long time as well. 

Now it pays to show up on time; regardless whether we raid or not.  Thanks Frostfox for raising this issue on behalf of others.

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RUNE Category Item Distribution Change

Minimum Requirement of 20% RA or above to /random on any RUNE Category item.

Reason: Distribution of RUNEs to players who frequent our raids at a minimum of 20% RA will in turn have the greatest impact on our overall power gains at any given raid. 

To be clear, this isn't anything against anyone under 20% RA.  RUNEs that go OPEN will have no RA requirement obviously.

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RUNE Category Item Cost Change

RUNE Category items adjusted from 5 DKP to 25 DKP.

Spells and Discs impact all classes.  We want the cost of runes to reflect an appropriate value and encourage players to give thought as to the runes impact on their class.

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Bench Addition

Players who end up on the bench due to full raid and/or other factors, will be entered into the DKP database for the associated target  but for RA purposes ONLY.  They will not receive DKP for being on the bench.

Note: Since DKP Earnings are tied to raid targets, anyone benched will see an adjusted DKP entry in the FLDKP Database under their name.  This is the only way we can ensure the RA % is tied into a target and that the player in question (who was benched), does not receive the earnings for said raid.

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Freelance Loot System document update

A note added in related DKP Earnings section for clarification to bench and DKP Earnings:  As mentioned prior, benched players receive RA but not DKP.  Benched players will not be included in the DKP earnings calculation.

Raid Bench section added:

Raid Bench

A Raid Bench is established if/when we experience an influx of players who wish to participate in our raids, but due to raid instance limitations, we reach capacity.  Any extra player(s) make(s) up the Raid Bench.

Players on the raid bench are still subject to FL minimum requirements et al.

Raid Bench Procedure

On raid gather call and/or between raid targets, a Bench Invite call is made.  Players who wish to participate in the raid must be at the indicated NPC and request an invite via the normal /tell procedure.

A related /raidsay call is made when bench swaps are completed.  Any player(s) in Group 0 (zero), are part of the Raid Bench for that target.  As the /raidsay call suggests, the player(s) will drop the raid so that an Instance/DZ can be obtained.


Raid Bench Selections

Please understand, that due to time constraints; no explanation will be given to player(s) who end up on the Raid Bench for any given target.   Benched players may be swapped/selected according to one or more of the following criteria

• Flags - Player(s) in need of x flag for y event.
• Attendance - Player(s) present at one raid may be alternated out the next to allow a greater number of participants.
• Class(es) to Event/Setup demand - Player(s) exchanged for one or more class in need for the given events success.

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LOOT Category Item Cost Change

LOOT Category items adjusted from 10 DKP to 50 DKP base value.

Clarified Wipe/Fail DKP earnings in the related RA section.  These values have always been 1 DKP, based on the Max minimum Bounty Total: 40 DKP (that's 10 DKP per item, 4 items) (40 DKP divided by 54 players = 1 DKP earning (rounded to nearest whole number)).  However, in lieu of the base value increase, this would have been affected.  We don't want Wipe/Fails to go beyond 1 DKP.  Just as Start/Finish are static 1 DKP, these will not change at this time.

A note in the DKP Gain & Loss, sub-section Dynamic DKP Earning has also been adjusted to reflect static values for Wipe/Fail (1 DKP earnings), and the examples have been changed to avoid potential confusion.

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FFA Category Change

FFA items cost the same as their aforementioned category.

Note: FFA items still do not count as your loot for the night.

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AUG Category Item Process & Cost Change

AUG category items processed via DKP (bidwar) + RA%.

AUG Category items adjusted from 10 DKP to 250 DKP base value.

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DKP/RA Change

DKP/RA credit will now be given when we have to cancel a raid night due to lack of setup.

Example:

Rally (Start)		1 DKP
Rally		1 DKP
Rally (Finish)		1 DKP
Total:		3 DKP

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

- Pie management

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Changes to the Freelance Loot System

(October 2019)

Back in July 2016, we began discussions to resolve long standing issues with our loot system and better serve the team long term.  After the dust settled, a replacement framework materialized.

It's taken a few years to develop, test and implement the system, but we're finally ready to go live.

Benefits of the loot system changes:

• Distributes items more quickly
• Item distribution that increases overall team power more effectively
• Easy to understand

Details available in the Freelance Loot System post.

The new system takes effect on October 31, 2019.

The FL Team - Pie management dept.

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Update - eDKP Calculation with Negative DKP Holdings

This change occurred before raids on Friday, November 1, 2019.  The related loot post was updated at the time as well.

Added an eDKP calculation to handle players with negative DKP holdings so that players benefit from RA as they would if their DKP was in the positive.

For players with negative DKP holdings the eDKP calculation is based on RA as normal and then the result subtracted from DKP holdings.

Example:

Soandso with -100 DKP holdings and 30% RA, would have -70 eDKP.

The FL Team - Pie management dept.