The Hybrid Loot System

In my continual exploration of the different loot systems that guilds use throughout the MMO sphere I’ve touched on many of the extremes. Having covered the far left and right I want to take a moment and talk about some of the gray areas in between. I’ve mentioned in the past that Iniquity used neither a Straight DKP nor a management assignment loot system. We used a hybrid system and that is what I’d like to cover today.

I’m certain that you can guess that a hybrid system is a marriage of the DKP and non-DKP systems. This type of system is an attempt to mitigate some of the negative factors of both previously discussed methodologies. I must again say that no two hybrid systems will be alike and I’m going to explain a rather simple one. Your mileage may vary.

The most basic and general explanation of a hybrid system is a Single/Council assignment system backed up by hard numbers. In essence guild management will keep track of all the raids, items and attendance just as they would in DKP but still retains the right to make a decision. More or less that decision is based on objective data, not subjective impressions. With that in mind let’s look at bullet points.

Speed of assignment is not a strong point for the hybrid system. Guild management must first look at all the data available, interpret it, and then go over the less tangible information. Decisions can take a while and interrupt the flow of a raid. If loot can be collected and handed out at the end of the evening’s raids this detriment is alleviated.

With more data and the ability to still make a choice, however, the guild benefits on the macro level. Loot can still be assigned based on what is best for the guild and what makes the best sense in regards to race, class and role. Guild management is given great flexibility in how items are assigned. The numbers are important but may be over ridden if necessary.

The hybrid system can be rather unpredictable when it comes to morale. There will not be any super lows due to the fact that numbers are involved but players may feel the high from being assigned an item. From personal experience, in the Iniquity hybrid system we almost never had a complaint.

Accountability and transparency rank very high in the hybrid system if the guild allows it to be. When the numbers are public knowledge and the only private part is he final vote it makes things more obvious. Nobody is shocked if the guild member that is selected has double the points or attendance percentage of the competition. The same is true if a cleric wins a cleric type item over a rogue who is ahead in the standings. It simply works out well in most cases. Obviously, if the numbers are not known, this advantage is lost.

Ultimately with a hybrid system you can lean as far towards DKP or as far towards management assignment as you like and mitigate the risks. More than anything it is an ala-cart type of system that takes the strengths of its competitors and reduces their weaknesses. In the coming weeks I’ll be looking at specific features and how to keep your loot system healthy. Until then, contemplate what type of system might work best for you!