Null-based DKP
Null-based DKP is a system once thought up by an EQ clan called Null. However, the Null is more then just a clan name, it is the very crux of this system. I'll try to explain this best as I can in this post.
Null-based pointers:
- No bidding
- Fixed item value
- Raidpoints gathered determine priority on loot
- Average of points is zero, this means newcomers have a fair chance on loot, and battles inflation very effectively.
- All items have a fixed point value as stated above. What happens when you loot something, is that the item-value is subtracted from your amount of points.
This might mean you go through the magical barrior of 0 (zero) points. Forget about that, zero is not special.. there is no minimum or maximum for anything, anytime, anywhere, none. As you might find out later, this is important as well.
So, that begs the question:
How to gain points
The main source of points is from loot. This sounds strange at first, but I'll do my best to explain. Say an imaginary item worth 80 points drops. Value / attendants = 80 / 40 = 2 points for everyone in the raid. This means that the winner has a change of -78 points and the other 39 players a +2, which sets them 80 points in front of the winner of the loot, and also 2 in front of those not on the raid, rewarding their attendance and effort.
There's a few others ways of getting points, but the amount of points gained from this should stay limited, for inflation reasons:
- Item points (as described above)
- +1 point for every hour raided (measured from actual start of raid)
- +1 point for every boss killed during the raid
- +2 Bonus for first time Bosskills
- +2 points for being an available standby (note 1)
- -1 point for being late on a raid without announcement (this goes for players on the invite-list, not for subs)
- -1 point for making disastrous mistakes that you've been warned not to make.. this will not be given lightly
Note 1: The +2 points for substite players will in no way lead to the substitute player gaining more loot points then others. If you are invited after 1 hour of raiding passed, your effective bonus will only be +1 and you will have gained as much any everyone else (barring loot points).
This also means that are you available at all times and if you cannot make it to the entrance within 15 minutes from your call, you will not receive your +2 point bonus.
So now you know how you get your points... what the heck are you getting them for actually?
How looting works
As stated earlier on, the Raidpoints determine your loot priority, nothing more, nothing less.
This means that if you and another want an item, the one with the most points is awarded the item, and the value of the item is subtracted from that person's total, setting them on a lower priority.
If you and another that want an item have the same amount of points, you will individually work out who should get the item, or it will be determined by a random roll and whoever rolls highest wins the item and the value of the item is substracted from that player's total, setting the priority lower again.
So, how does this actually work in reality eh?
Examples
4 hour Molten Core run, Lucifron dies and drops 3 epics, worth 80, 50 and 90 points.
Total worth of items is 220 points, this means everyone gets 220 / 40 = 5.5 points from loot. Combined with the time spent, that's 5.5 (loot) + 4 (time) + 1 (boss kill) = 10.5 points
The people who get the loot ALSO get those 10.5 points, but also pay 80, 50 and 90 points respectively.
One of three epics is a nice sword, rogues and warriors are allowed to take the loot. All rogues and warriors who want the sword speak up and the one with highest point-total takes the loot.
Another item is a piece of priest loot. Because a lot of priest loot has already dropped all priests are way in negative points. The one highest (closest to zero) who wants it, gets it, and takes another 80 point dive, setting him/her on a significantly lower priority.
Third is a rogue ring. DKP is inspected, and rogues are asked who wants it, highest point-total rogue bows out, second gets to call n/g, also passes.. third then gets to decide and takes it, taking a 50 point dive down, setting him/her lower on priority for coming loot.
Now I can hear you all say "what if a new guy comes along, he has 0 and has more then us all". Remember that the new guy (gal) has no gear yet, whereas we do. Furthermore, as (s)he quickly gets the loot we already have, his/her points go down fast as well, putting him/her in the back of the priority queue again.
Disenchanting
In the event that no one is willing to spend points to gain an item, it will be looted by a guild officer for disenchantment for armor and weapon upgrades. This is not meant to deprive the guild of items, however the raid point system ceases to function when members can attain gear without spending points. Disenchanted items don't give any points, since no points were spent on them.
Other Loot
The point system is for any and all items of Epic quality we find, Uncommon and Rare (green and blue) items we find will be handled by the regular system we always used.
All Codex and Spell-like tomes will be lottoed out for members who can currently use them.
Tradeskill items will be picked up by officers from either guild and split between guilds. What happens after there is up to the guilds.