About HDL's sponsored GDKP Runs

[Thraice]

What is this "GDKP" thing?
The concept is actually fairly simple. "GDKP" stands for "Gold-DKP" and can also be referred to as a "Gold Run." The idea behind a GDKP run is that all of the items of worth that drop (Epics, Rare Greens, Tokens, Primordial Saronite, Patterns, etc.) are bid on by the raid members. For our runs, minimum bids for Armor Tokens will begin at 1000 gold and everything else will start at 500 gold. The raid member with the highest bid at the end of the bidding session wins the item! At the end of the raid, the pot from the bids is split up among the raid. Everyone goes home with gold, loot, or both!

Who are GDKP runs designed for?
In short, GDKP runs are for those people that know the fights but need the gear. Typically, all individuals invited will have experience in the raid environment – whether it is a different manned version (10 or 25) or a different mode (normal or heroic). The overall idea though is that each member in the composition contributes to the group. Leaders will make an effort to compose the best team for the desired run. Because a large chunk of the pot will usually come from the higher end raid content a higher gear requirement may be put in place depending on each week's raid composition and intention.

Membership is tracked weekly to include both performance and participation. If a raid member is not performing well or failing at boss mechanics, their time remaining in the raid will be short. Warnings will be made to those noticed but the idea behind the GDKP run is to get as far as the team is capable to fatten the pot.

Those that fail to significantly deliver performance or do not contribute to the gold pot may not be immediately removed from the raid, but will not be considered for future raids. This type of run is not intended to carry a player and put gold in their pocket after a couple of hours. Not everyone in the raid will be over-geared. It is understood that lesser geared individuals will be present but it is expected that they are there to spend gold to get upgrades.

How do the bids work?
Bidding during the run is done publicly. This allows for all members, if they so desire, to keep track of the pot as it is added to. The only means to bid will be through the use of the RAID chat channel. That is to say, all other channels (SAY, WHISPER, GUILD, etc.) will not be recognized and considered void. Each item up for bid, when the bidding begins, will start at 0. If someone is interested in the item, they will enter their desired amount in full (no short hand) in the raid channel. Using short hand (1.2k to represent 1200) will not be recognized and considered void. Although there is a minimum bid per item, there is no maximum opening bid and no maximum raise. These rules will be issued in raid chat before the start of the run, and upon the entry of any new players.

At the end of the bidding, the winner will open trade with the Master Looter (who will be named prior to the run beginning) and pay the total of their bid. If you win and do not have the funds to pay, or are found to simply be bidding higher to inflate the price without the funds to cover the bid, you will be removed from the raid and your share of the pot forfeited.

Mistakes and mistypes happen. They should be the exception and rare. If you add an unintentional extra '0' or another error, make the mistake known immediately and the bid will be restarted. Do not make it a habit. The bidding process takes time and the raid will not want to sit around for individuals who continually screw up the bidding.

He won a bid and it's not even his Main Spec!!!
In a GDKP run, there are no priorities for loot distribution. You are free to bid on any item, even those that you cannot use. The highest bidder will win at the end of the bidding session.

He won a bid and then gave the item to another player!
Once an item has been passed to a player by the Master Looter, is it the player's to do with as he pleases. Having gold-rich friends is a good thing.

What about Bind on Equip (BoE) items?
Again, all items are up for bid. It is entirely fair for a player to bid on an item and then place it in the auction house.

What about quest items, Marks of Sanctification, and patterns?
All items are up for bid. In our ICC GDKP runs, Marks of Sanctification from wing bosses will be bid on immediately, with a starting bid of 1000 gold being the only change from other drops. Quest items for the Shadowmourne quest chain will also be bid upon immediately.

Primordial Saronite will be handled a little bit differently. Primordial Saronite will be listed at the current Market Value average for the US-Zul'jin server as determined by the Raid Leader. If anyone is interested in bidding on the Saronite, they will issue a roll ( /random command ) and the highest roller wins.

Patterns that drop in our GDKP raids will also be bid upon at then end of a raid. That currently only applies to Trial of the Crusader GDKP runs.

What happens to all of the gold from the bids?
At the end of each GDKP run, the pot, or the total amount of gold collected from bids, will evenly be dispersed amongst the raid members present. Whether you bid and win an item during the run does not matter. All remaining members will receive a share of the pot. There are no "buy ins", or amounts which you have to pay to join the GDKP run. The pot begins at 0.
If for any reason you are not present at the end of the run, the amount to be handed out will be recalculated using the number of members in the raid at the time it is called. You will not get your share if you leave early for any reason.

I don't trust I will get my share!?
Blizzard will take action if the rules are stated in raid chat and the Master Looter takes off with the pot. These GDKP runs are sponsored by Horde Defense League, and we take our online reputation very seriously. This is why we broadcast the GDKP rules before we start, and why they are rebroadcast whenever a player joins a raid in progress.

If you are still concerned about GDKP runs, two sourced Blizzard quotes detailing their policy on intervention for GDKP based runs follow. To reiterate their advice, only go on GDKP runs with trusted leaders.

World of Warcraft - English (NA) Forums -> GDKP Will GM Help When Ninja strikes

Blizzard Response: The Game Master staff does not frequently intervene in looting disputes; however, we may provide assistance if a player blatantly attempts to scam others by promising a loot method that is not upheld. Accordingly, I encourage you to speak with raid leaders and master looters before participating in a raid; if they choose a looting method counter to your desires, please respectfully decline the invitation to join their raid. If the looting method is not upheld, open an in-game petition so that our Game Master staff may review the issue further and take appropriate action in accordance with our policies.

World of Warcraft (en) Forums -> Policy on GDKP intervention

Blizzard Response: In an incident where a Master Looter fails to maintain such a "cash for drops" agreement and disappears with money belonging to players, we would investigate such an incident as a scam. We would of course recommend that players don't get involved in this kind of scheme and instead attend raids and instances with their friends, guildmates and other trusted players who will not organise such a scheme.

"I ran last week" or "I posted on the forum"! "Do I get preference on invites!?"
No. Raid composition will be determined each week with the desired end result being a team that will go far. There are no reserved spots.

I still have questions or would like to add something?
Please do not hesitate to register an account and reply to this post or contact an HDL member in-game and they will put you in contact with someone that can help you.

Credit
The information above and the manner in which HDL conducts their GDKP runs is based on, but does not directly follow, the information listed here.

[Thraice]

The above post has been updated to reflect the modification on how Primordial Saronite is handled during an HDL sponsored GDKP run.

As always, if you feel you have any recommendations on how to better the runs or the process as a whole, please do not hesitate to let us know!