Logical Looting

This loot system may or may not be unique, but we're calling it "logical looting" because it takes common sense and overlays it on a sort of state machine. It is also completely transparent and easily altered.

Logical looting will be used for all guild raids.

When epic loot drops, these filters are applied in the following order (consider each level as a potential end state):

Who is an Elysium member?
- Prioritizes Elysium members first.
Which classes are able to equip the item?
- Ensures that players receiving items are actually able to use them.
Which classes is the item most suited for?
- Solves the issue of hybrid classes that are able to equip nearly anything.
At what level is the item equipable?
- Items go to players able to use the item. (items may still end up going to players who do not yet meet lvl requirements, but will be able to use the item at a later time, if someone of the necessary lvl does not need the item)
Which specs/skill sets does the item benefit?
- Players' skill sets prioritize them (casters focusing on fire damage don't need ice items).
Who has the higher legion rank?
- Higher ranking legion members are always first to be equipped.
Has the player already received an item from this raid? (essentially a variation of Suicide Kings with list reset each raid)
- Ensures that loot is distributed as evenly as possible.
- New members are not added to the list until they have been a member for 2 weeks or participated in 2 raids (whichever comes first).
- New members are added in at the bottom of the list.
- Players who miss a large number of raids or don't show up on time (without prior communication) may drop in standing. This way, regular attendees receive priority.
- Players may have their priority upped for exceptional deeds.
If no player wishes to use their priority, roll.
- Allows chance to be the final decision maker, if necessary.

The system is simple, and logical. Considering modern gaming's raid size (10 to 25 players), in many cases the decision does not get past #5. After that, we look at legion rank because members are promoted for a reason. If you've earned a higher legion rank then you've shown your loyalty and dependability. If rank doesn't sort things out then any number of other attributes will be taken into consideration. A short list is provided above, but it is fairly clear that any number of attributes may be taken into account. All of these considerations will be noted when the decision is to be made.

If all else is equal at #7, we'll use the player's loot priority as determined by the Suicide Kings method. Essentially, players who have not yet asked for (and received) an epic item from the current raid will have a higher priority.

An important note is that the entire process is transparent, and conversational (see page below for details). Members may object or ask questions at any point, and all steps will be verbally explicit. Any member may also forfeit special rights given to them at any time.

Flaws of DKP

This is a collective list of downfalls from all styles of DKP. Not all items here apply to all systems. The various varieties of DKP systems aim to solve some of these issues, but inevitably cause different issues. This list is by no means complete, and is simply a subset of issues that have been considered.

Point inflation.
People can horde dkp.
Hard for new members to get any gear.
Hard to determine accurate values of gear.
People with a lot of dkp feel like a lot is wasted.
Hard to get people to join raids consistently since the dkp they earn is not useful unless they have a lot of it.
Guild bank goes almost unused.
Some dkp systems reward being static and not progressing.
Other dkp systems are impossible to get everyone geared before continuing on.
People complain about how points are awarded.
Points can be difficult to keep track of.
All DKP systems punish players who are not able to be as active as others (despite their contributions).
Intangible feats go unrewarded.
Tracking of points is complicated.

In general, DKP systems ignore many intangible contributions from guild members. Did someone stay on Team Speak all day making you feel better about your divorce? Did someone do something small that led to a major boost in morale? How can those things be rewarded in a strict points system? Even when such things are awarded, people complain about what is and isn't awarded points.

Logical looting solves all of these issues by removing the cold mathematics, substituting in basic logic, and allowing flexibility.

Flaws of Loot Council

Loot council, a purely arbitrary decision making process by one or more people.

It's unfair.
Does not take into account the opinions and wants of the party.
The process is not transparent.

A purely arbitrary decision means that people decide based solely on who their friends are, and who is popular. In many games, items can be equipped by multiple classes, but certain items are designed for a particular class or skill set. Things like this need to be considered.

Loot councils are also, in general, not considered transparent. Decisions are made without reasoning and explicit notation of the process. This leaves party members in the dark, leaves them guessing, and causes hurt feelings.

To eliminate these issues, we're posting the loot policy here for everyone to see. You know what to expect, the entire process is on the table, and there's room for input during the decision making process.

Flaws of Logical Looting

The logical looting system depends on communication. The decision making process needs to be verbal and public, and there will be a need for conversation as well. If you think that dagger about to be given to an assassin is better suited for a ranger, speak up! Maybe the raid leader doesn't know that. Below is an example scripted loot drop (to illustrate all steps):

the epic loot drops (assume all players to be lvl 50)

Night (raid leader/legion master/Templar) : Alright, the Gauntlets of Mighty Pancake Flipping dropped. They're a templar/gladiator/assassin only item. I already have the Oven Mitts of Cookie Baking so who needs these?

Allison(visitor/Gladiator) : I like em.

Esso(member/Assassin) : I'm drooling... and not over Allison.

Telos(member/Assassin) : Me too!

Balgus(member/Templar) : I could use those.

Night : OK, well unfortunately Allison isn't a member... yet <nudge><nudge> so we're looking at Esso, Telos, and Balgus. Is the +15 stamina really gonna help the assassins?

Esso : Hell yes.

Night : OK then, but aren't you focusing on attack power, Telos? The Heated Gauntlets of DOOM should be dropping off the boss after next.

Telos : Good point, I'll wait for those.

Night : OK, so Esso and Balgus. Both the same rank, and you've both been here forever. Balgus, you have loot priority (Esso got the Twin Spatulas of Hate last run), but you can vouch for a roll instead.

Balgus : I'm all for rolling.

Esso : Bring it!

Balgus rolls a 98.

Esso rolls a 1.

Esso : Damn! Nice roll! Grats

Eternal : Balgus, the pancake loving haX0r.

Night : Nice roll, Balgus. Grats!

Balgus : Woot!

Hopefully this illustrates the process to some extent. As you saw, there was communication between all members throughout the process. We narrowed down the decision based on who was a member, and what classes could use the item. We narrowed it down further by eliminating Telos, who was focusing on attack power, because there were other items available that would be better suited to his specc. In the end, Balgus had loot priority, but did not want to lose his priority position so they rolled.

Again, the key factor here is communication between members, some patience, and consideration. Given the state of Elysium at the time of this writing I'm not worried.

The only other "flaw" of logical looting is the time spent. Note however, that this time does not usually exceed the time spent in other systems and loot is generally dispursed of during the natural down time between raid bosses (time spent healing, rebuffing, etc.).

Please note that the writing of this was done before the release of Aion: The Toper of Eternity. Certain in-game raid dynamics or rules may alter or change this sytem.