Valid kill
A valid kill is what determines several things about the rewards you receive when you kill a monster. Such rewards include coin, the value of loot drops, food drops, bonuses to XP, and XP split.
The baseline that Threshold uses for judging whether a kill is valid is whether the player is 4 or fewer levels higher than the level of the monster. This varies, however, from area o area and monster to monster as many areas are generally bracketed by a level range and the max level is applied to all monsters of that area so as not to invalidate some of the weaker monsters, requiring you to cherry pick only the higher level monsters.
A kill could become invalid if any participants in the fight exceed the maximum level of the monster.
You may still get XP and coin from a lower level kill, but you will not receive bonuses, nor will XP split be invoked. The value from loot drops will similarly be reduced. Both XP and coin drops/values are diminished based on the difference in level between the player and the monster.
The following constitutes an inexhaustive list of elements that do not get applied for an invalid kill:
- Acumen Jublilee (toggle)
- Automatic tithe rewards (help favor)
- Bloodoath Kills (toggle)
- Bonuses to XP (AGEC bonus)
- Bonuses to XP (buffs)
- Bonuses to XP (lodge cartouche zenith)
- Clan Honor (toggle)
- Coin Bonus (toggle)
- Double XP (toggle)
- Faithful Allegiance (toggle)
- Maelstrom Grind Event (toggle)
- XP as Clan Dominance
- XP Split (all)
- World drop
It should be noted that there exists a mechanic for players of level 26 or higher that ignores the baseline 4 level cap on valid kills as it applies to monsters that are also level 26 and above. With few exceptions, if you are level 26 or higher and the monster is also level 26 or higher, then the kill will count as valid. This mechanic exists due to the lower number of available zones for higher levels. As more higher level areas open up, this mechanic will be reviewed and narrowed.
