Loot Policy
In reading over all of our guild policies, it will quickly become
apparent that Ascension Alliance is not about loot. First and foremost, we are people who play for the enjoyment and excitement
of the game. Together we have more fun and we are able to do more than any one of us alone could do, and of course this opens
up opportunities to experience more challenging zones and gives us the potential to obtain rare and powerful items to make
the guild stronger. Ironically, the less we worry about loot, the more loot we seem to get, and some of it is very nice indeed!
:)
Therefore, in order to facilitate the distribution of loot, we
have designed a loot policy that rewards members for participation and effort, allows members the freedom to choose their
own rewards, removes the burden of decision-making from the officers, and is easy for raid leaders and members to track. Members
earn Raid Points by attending and participating in raids, and can spend those points in an auction whenever loot drops.
While we believe that every member should equip himself with level-appropriate
gear and spells, the purpose of guild raids is to help our members meet and exceed these goals. The points system encourages
raid attendance, allowing the guild as a whole to advance towards more challenging encounters. The auction system is a wonderful
tool because players must evaluate their loot choices and choose what they are willing to purchase with their points. Even
the most selfless person enjoys getting a new item as a result of their hard work, and we love it when we get the chance to
reward our members for their loyalty, time, and effort invested!! :)
Glossary of terms:
NBG - The standard loot policy for Ascension
Alliance is Need Before Greed (NBG). The idea behind NBG is that whenever possible, all loot obtained through guild events
will be distributed to those members present that can and WILL use an item.
NEED - The item will immediately replace an item
currently being used by the character in attendance, or will be used in a quest that would result in an item upgrade for that
character.
GREED - The item is not needed by the character
in attendance, but would be sold or used to equip an alternate character.
PLAYER - The RL human being, sitting at a computer,
playing Everquest.
CHARACTER - The pixelated representative or toon
of a player within EverQuest. One player may have multiple characters. These characters are alternate identities of the player, and so are commonly referred to as alts.
ACCOUNT - One EverQuest account which may hold
up to eight characters per server. One player may have access to two or more accounts that they can play simultaneously, and
these multiple simultaneous characters are commonly referred to as bots.
MEMBER - The player that has applied and been
accepted to wear the guild tag. A member may have multiple characters in the guild provided that each character meets our
membership requirements.
GROUP - Any scheduled or spontaneous event involving
fewer than 12 members of any level.
Guild groups and pickup groups may decide their own loot policy.
It is extremely important that any time Ascension Alliance members
form a group or join a group in progress, that they discuss the loot rules at the onset. This ensures that everyone agrees
to the arrangement and will help avoid any complications or loot issues within the group. Whenever someone new joins the group,
be sure to restate the loot rules.
RAID - Any scheduled or spontaneous event hosted
by AA and attended by 12 or more members of any level, including at least one guild officer.
Raid Points will only be earned and spent on raids that meet the
above definition. Of course, you can still have raids at anytime to anywhere
for any reason! If an event happens outside of this definition, the leader of that raid will determine the loot rules. We
encourage Need Before Greed.
LOOT COORDINATOR - At the onset of a guild raid,
one guild officer will be designated as the Loot Coordinator. The Loot Coordinator may designate one or more MLs (Master Looters)
to be responsible for promptly looting corpses and announcing loot in the raid channel. The Loot Coordinator will record all
loot obtained during the raid and conduct auctions for loot among the raid participants.
WHAT IF A RAID LACKS 12 MEMBERS?
If
less than 12 members are present at the raid start time, or if there is no officer present, the raid leader may choose to:
A)
Start immediately and declare the raid unofficial. All members that were there at the posted start time will receive on time
points. The raid leader will determine the loot rules for the raid and no points will be earned or spent. Once the loot rules
for a given raid are established, these same rules will be followed for the duration of the raid, regardless of how many members
may join the raid later.
B) Cancel the raid immediately. For scheduled raids, all those that were there at the start
time will receive on time points.
C) Postpone the raid to await official status. For scheduled raids, the raid is allowed
up to 30 minutes from the posted start time to achieve official status before the raid leader must either start an unofficial
raid or cancel the raid. All members that were there at the posted start time will receive on time points and attendance points
for the time they were waiting.
If at any time an official raid falls below the 12 member minimum, the raid leader
may choose to:
A) Call the raid immediately and discontinue the raid. This is the appropriate choice if the primary
objectives have already been met, or the raid leader feels the objectives cannot be achieved with the remaining force.
B)
Call the raid immediately and continue on an unofficial basis for anyone who wishes to stay. For the remaining time, the raid
leader will determine the loot rules for the raid and no points will be earned or spent. This is the appropriate choice if
the primary objectives have already been met but the remaining members wish to pursue alternate objectives, or if the raid
leader feels the primary objectives can be achieved but many of the remaining force are guests or trial members.
C)
Continue the official raid up to 60 minutes longer, provided at least one officer remains. All members who choose to stay
will continue to earn points and any loot dropped during this time will be auctioned. This is the appropriate choice if the
raid leader feels the primary objectives can be achieved within a reasonable timeframe and most or all of the remaining force
are full AA members.
Earning Points:
* The minimum
level to attend any AA raid is 62, and certain raids may have higher level or flag requirements. Exceptions may be possible
if a class is urgently needed or if an existing member does not have any character level 62 or above, however any exceptions
must be approved by both the raid leader and the attending officer. If you do not meet the minimum requirements to attend
a raid, we encourage you to spend that time working on obtaining the necessary levels or flags.
* 2 points per hour
will be awarded to each guild member that attends a raid (1 point per half hour, rounded up or down to the nearest 30 minute
increment). As far as points are concerned, it will make no difference which character you play or how many accounts you play.
Points will be awarded per player, and all players will earn the exact same rate for whatever time they contribute to the
raid. Attendance will be taken at regular intervals throughout the raid and you must be present to earn your points.
*
2 bonus points will be awarded to each member that is ON TIME to the raid. On time points will only be awarded for scheduled
raids posted on the forums at least 48 hours in advance for which the meeting time and place are clearly specified in the
raid post. Attendance will be taken at the specified meeting site at the appropriate time and you must be present to earn
these points. The only exception will be for members who have been sent to scout or perform other raid-essential functions
at the specific request of the raid leader.
* 2 points will be awarded to the Raid Leader. The Raid Leader 1) chooses
the target, assigns groups, and leads the raid party to the target; 2) logs the raid for a complete record of time, attendance,
loot dropped, and points spent; and 3) reports the raid results on the Raid Points forum. The Raid Leader may choose to delegate
any or all of these tasks but is ultimately responsible for ensuring they are all completed. Co-leaders will split these 2
points between them.
* 1 point will be awarded to the Raid Leader or his delegate upon reporting the results of the
raid. Results must follow the standard format which includes a complete and accurate time and attendance log for the raid,
as well as a breakdown of loot dropped and points spent. This must be posted to the "Raid Points" forum within 48 hours of
the conclusion of the raid to earn this point.
* The raid results, attendance logs, and the Points Available for every
member are posted on the "Raid Points" forum of our website. YOU are responsible for checking the website following each raid
to make sure the post is accurate! If you feel there has been any error, you must report this to an officer within one week
following the raid date in order for corrections to be made.
* Only Full Members will earn points. Guests, Applicants,
and Trial Members do not earn points.
* The points account will be deleted for any member who leaves the guild for
any reason. (Career Points Earned and Current Points Available)
Spending Points:
* Auctions will always be conducted NBG. This will ensure that if you have a character present that NEEDS an item, you will get the first opportunity
to bid. This will also prevent anyone who does not truly need the item from outbidding
you.
* You may spend the raid points you have earned on any character
you choose. If it has been determined that no member on the raid NEEDS an item,
you may even choose to spend your raid points to purchase the item for a character not in attendance or for sale. The choice
of when and how to spend your raid points is yours, so choose wisely!
* There is no set price on items and therefore you can bid what
an item is worth to you. The minimum bid is one raid point.
* When two or more members are interested in an item, you will
bid against each other. Therefore, whoever has the most points or is willing
to spend the most will be awarded the item. The highest bidder will have the appropriate points deducted from his balance
immediately.
* You may bid on, and be awarded, as many loot items as you choose
as long as you have Raid Points Available. You MAY NOT spend or bid more points then you currently have! You are responsible
for checking the website for your current Points Available prior to the raid.
* Raid Points can only be used from PAST raids, not the current
raid. Raid Points for any given raid will not be available for you to bid with until the after the raid has been posted to
the website.
* You may only bid YOUR Raid Points and not anothers. You may
not donate Raid Points to another member.
Please refer to the appropriate section below concerning specific
drops.
NO TRADE Items
When a fight has finished, the Loot Coordinator should immediately
loot the tradable items from the corpse and announce all No Drop items to the raid channel using the item link feature. No
Drop loot should be auctioned as soon as all eligible attendees are in the zone (in other words, after the dead have been
rezzed and any LD have been given time to return).
Then, starting at the beginning of the list, the Loot Coordinator
will announce a particular item and ask that if you NEED the item that you join the auction channel (/join aabid) and link
your current item. Only those characters present that need the item will be allowed to bid in this round. The minimum opening
bid is 1 point. The highest bidder at auction close will loot the item and have the appropriate points deducted from his balance
immediately.
If nobody needs the item or nobody bids upon it, the Loot Coordinator
will then open the auction channel to anybody that wishes to purchase it. The minimum opening bid is 1 point. The highest
bidder at auction close will loot the item and have the appropriate points deducted from his balance immediately. Players may not purchase a No Drop item for any character that is not present unless doing so would not
disrupt the raid.
This same process will be repeated for each item until all loot
has been auctioned. Items that no Full Member wishes to purchase may be awarded
to Trial Members, Applicants, or Guests. The Loot Coordinator will destroy any
remaining No Drop items.
Tradable Items
All tradable items obtained during a guild raid will be auctioned
at the raid end or other suitable time. The Loot Coordinator will begin the process by announcing the full list of all loot
that was obtained during the raid to the raid channel.
Then, starting at the beginning of the list, the Loot Coordinator
will announce a particular item and ask that if you NEED the item that you join the auction channel (/join aabid) and link
your current item. Only those members that need the item will be allowed to bid. The
minimum opening bid is 1 point. The highest bidder at auction close will receive the item and have the appropriate points
deducted from his balance immediately.
If nobody needs the item or nobody bids upon it, the Loot Coordinator
will open the auction channel to anybody that wishes to purchase it. The minimum opening bid is 1 point. The highest bidder
at auction close will receive the item and have the appropriate points deducted from his balance immediately.
This same process will be repeated for each item until all the
loot has been auctioned. The Loot Coordinator will donate any remaining tradable
items to the Guild Treasury.
Guild Treasury Items
Tradable items that were not purchased at the raid will be posted
on the Guild Treasury forums. For one week, those members that need the item
will be allowed to bid on the item by posting on the forum. The minimum opening bid is 1 point. The highest bidder at auction
close will receive the item and have the appropriate points deducted from his raid point balance immediately. If after one
week no one has bid, the auction will be opened to anybody that wishes to purchase it. The minimum opening bid is 1 point.
Bidding will remain open for one week and the highest bidder at auction close will receive the item and have the appropriate
points deducted from his balance immediately. If after two weeks no one has bid, the item will be given to tribute or sold
in the bazaar with the proceeds donated to the Guild Treasury.
Spells, Parchments, and Runes
Spells will always cost ZERO points. The Loot Coordinator will
award all spells, parchments, and runes obtained on raids to the member in attendance who can scribe the spell immediately
in priority of level. In the event that more than one member can use the item, the member with the highest total points earned
will get the award. Once you have received a parchment or rune on a guild raid you will generally not be considered for
subsequent drops until everyone eligible has already received one. The Loot Coordinator may MQ parchment or rune turn-ins.
Spells that no one needs including duplicate spells from parchment or rune turn-ins will be collected for the Guild Treasury. Spells in the Guild Treasury may be withdrawn free of charge by any member upon reaching
the appropriate level required to scribe the spell.
Quest Items
Quest items will always cost ZERO points. This includes items
used in the completion of keys, epic quests, and other quests of epic proportion (a deity-specific weapon, Prayer Shawl, Coldain
Ring, Earring of Veracity, etc.). This does not include quest armor such as Ornate or OOW NO TRADE items. The
Loot Coordinator will award quest drops to the member in attendance who is farthest along on the quest. In the event that
more than one member can use the item, the member with the highest total points earned will get the award. The exception to
this will be reserved items (see below). Quest drops are always reserved for guild members and will be looted for MQ
if possible. Quest drops will only be awarded to guests if no guild member present will use the item and MQ is not possible.
The MQ of a quest drop will be posted on the Guild Treasury forum and is free of charge to any member upon reaching the point
of the quest where the drop is needed. Again, if more than one member can use the item, the member with the highest total
points earned will get the award.
Reserved Items
Normally, the only items that may be reserved are items used in
the completion of epic quests or other quests of epic proportion (a deity-specific weapon, Prayer Shawl, Coldain Ring, Earring
of Veracity, etc.). When raiding for epic drops, the person who has gone through
the time to research, plan, and organize the raid is guaranteed the loot rights to all items used in the completion of his
quest. The initial raid post must include a statement of any and all items that are reserved, and the reserved items must
be announced to the raiding party at the onset of the raid. Members in need of assistance in scheduling multi-group raids
should contact any Raid Team member.
Miscellaneous Items
Gems, tradeskill components, cash, and vendor sellables are always
collected for the Guild Treasury. A list of the current Guild Treasury holdings can be found on the forums. Tradeable
items used in armor quests may be withdrawn free of charge by any member who has the armor piece and the faction needed to
complete the quest. Tradeskill components may be withdrawn free of charge by any member who needs the item and will use the
outcome for the benefit of the guild.
Reimbursement of Expenses
It is our policy to reimburse all members and guests for expenses
incurred during an AA raid. It is your responsibility to keep track of all gems, port stones, or coffins used during a raid,
and inform the Raid Leader or Loot Coordinator if you wish to be reimbursed.
Guest Policy
* Members are encouraged to invite guests to raids by first requesting
approval from the Raid Leader.
* The Raid Leader has the authority to approve as many guests
as deemed necessary or desirable.
* When space is limited, preference for groups will always be
given to guild members first.
* Guests on raids do not earn points, and in general will not
be eligible for loot. However, No Drop items that no member wishes to purchase may be awarded to guests, and Quest items may
be awarded to guests if no guild member present will use the item and MQ is not possible.
* For all loot decisions, Full Members shall be considered first,
Trial Members second, Applicants third, and Guests fourth.
