Project Spotlight: RCLootCouncil - Merit Version: 5.13.0 | Target API: WoW Patch 12.0+ (Midnight) Core Concept: Algorithmic Loot Distribution, Internal Roster Management, & PUG Fairness Protocol
1. Executive Summary
RCLootCouncil - Merit is a comprehensive, officer-gated plugin module designed to eliminate human bias, loot drama, and "Loot Council fatigue" by introducing a transparent, math-based scoring engine. By integrating external performance metrics directly into the standard RCLootCouncil voting frame, it fully automates loot distribution priorities.
Unlike standard Loot Council systems, this addon contains a fully self-sufficient roster, alt-routing, and attendance engine. It specifically solves the friction of mixed-group raiding by introducing the "Magic Number System"—a specialized subroutine that guarantees fair, mathematically sound odds for pickup group members (PUGs) without requiring them to install the addon or be tracked in the guild database.
Note: This addon requires an active Wowaudit Spreadsheet to generate the initial Audit Scores for the guild roster.
2. Key Definitions
Merit Score: The final, weighted numerical value representing a player's priority for a piece of loot. The highest Merit Score wins the item.
Audit Score: A base performance metric (preparation, gearing, etc.) imported directly from the guild's Wowaudit spreadsheet.
Hot-Sync: A silent data broadcast that updates addon parameters (like Alt Penalties or Attendance Cutoffs) for the entire raid group in real-time without triggering intrusive UI popups.
PUG (Pick-Up Group): Any player not currently mapped within the addon's internal Merit roster database.
Magic Number: The randomized threshold generated during a PUG loot roll to ensure fair distribution outside the standard Merit algorithm.
3. The Core Algorithm: "The Merit Score"
The defining feature of this plugin is the Weighted Roll Formula. Instead of subjective officer votes, every candidate generates a transparent Merit Score. This score mathematically balances historical player performance against recent loot acquisition.
The Formula: Final Score = [ ((Audit + 40) * 0.4 * UpgradeBoost * Attendance%) / LootDivisor * BaseRoll ] * AltPenalty
Variable Breakdown:
Audit Score: The player's imported Wowaudit score.
Upgrade Boost: The relative power gain of the item based on item level difference (ranges from +0% to +12% multiplier).
Attendance%: Internal raid attendance percentage (0.0 - 1.0).
Base Roll: A standard 1-100 random roll executed within RCLootCouncil to preserve the excitement of chance.
Alt Penalty: A globally controlled, dynamic percentage reduction applied to characters flagged as Alts.
The Loot Divisor (The "Allowance" Mechanism): We utilize a Factorial Decay on recent loot history (14-day rolling window) with a "Greed Allowance" modifier (0.6 deadener) for subsequent wins.
0 Items: Divisor is 1. Score is 100%.
1 Item: Divisor is 1. Score is 100% (The Allowance).
2 Items: Divisor is 1.2. Score is ~83%.
3 Items: Divisor is 3.6. Score is ~27%.
Result: Players can win one item without penalty. The aggressive decay ensures gear is distributed evenly among the core roster over time.
4. The PUG Protocol: "The Magic Number"
To support PUGs without forcing them to download the addon or injecting them into the guild database, the addon utilizes an automated, chat-based server-side gambit hosted by the Master Looter.
Phase 1: The Auto-Greeter When a non-guild player joins the raid, the plugin automatically whispers the Rules of Engagement, explaining the Magic Number system and how they can win loot.
Phase 2: The Magic Roll Logic When an item drops and one or more PUGs select "Need" or "BiS":
The Count: The system identifies N total "Need/BiS" responses across the entire raid (e.g., 2 PUGs + 3 Guildies = 5 Total Needs).
The Selection: The addon announces a 45-second window in Raid Chat. PUGs must type a number between 1 and N. (The addon prevents duplicate number selections and auto-assigns numbers if a PUG fails to pick in time).
The Execution: The addon selects one PUG to be the "Designated Roller." That player types /roll N in raid chat.
Result A (Win): If the /roll result matches a number picked by a PUG, that specific PUG wins the item immediately.
Result B (Merit Default): If the /roll result lands on a number not claimed by a PUG, the item bypasses the guests and falls to the standard Merit Score calculation for the guild members who rolled Need.
5. Database Management & Synchronization
This addon relies on strict 12.0 API fidelity and modern UI privilege gating.
Officer Privilege Gating: Using the Midnight 12.0 C_GuildInfo namespace, the addon automatically detects Guild Officers, Raid Leaders, and Raid Assistants. Only these players can access the import, alt-linking, and slider controls. Standard raiders are restricted to a read-only view.
Wowaudit Import Frame: Officers extract a custom Lua table from their Wowaudit spreadsheet (using a provided Master Export Formula) and paste it into the in-game UI.
Robust Sync Protocols: Officers push their local database to the raid group. Standard Syncs require users to click "Accept" to prevent accidental overwrites, while officer-adjusted sliders (Alt Penalty, Thresholds) utilize "Hot-Sync" payloads to update raid clients instantly and silently.
6. Alt Character Routing & Penalties
To allow players to swap characters for the benefit of the raid composition without destroying their Merit standing, the addon features a robust Alt Engine.
Identity Routing: Officers link Alts to Mains in the UI. When an Alt rolls on an item, the addon dynamically routes the math to use the Main's Audit Score.
Combined Histories: Attendance and 14-day Loot Histories are universally combined across all linked characters.
Global Alt Penalty Slider: Officers have access to a dynamically color-coded slider (0% to 100%). This applies a global reduction to the final Merit score of all Alts, allowing leadership to prioritize Mains early in a tier and help Alts catch up later.
7. Internal Attendance Engine & Thresholds
RCLootCouncil - Merit completely detaches from external attendance tracking APIs, opting for a highly customizable internal engine tracking "Boss Pulls."
The "First Seen" Mechanic: New recruits are not penalized for raids that occurred before they joined. The addon scans the database to find their first day of attendance and calculates their percentage strictly from that date onward.
Global Cutoff Dates: Officers can select a specific date to act as a "hard reset" (e.g., the launch of a new raid tier). All attendance prior to the cutoff is mathematically ignored.
Blackout Dates: Officers can instantly toggle specific calendar days as "Blackouts." These dates are entirely removed from the math, allowing guilds to run optional holiday raids without penalizing absent members.
Guild Run Threshold: A safety-capped slider (50% to 80%) determines if a raid qualifies as a guild run. The addon automatically counts the active roster's guild tags; if the percentage of guild members falls below the threshold, automated attendance tracking and loot module triggers are disabled.

