Since SOAP isn't a public shell and it is being discusssed, I thought I'd go over some things concerning it and comments Garret has made on it to help people understand it.
"SOAP" was originally named after the soap bar on the cover of the movie Fight Club - just because we're dorks, however it recently occurred to someone that it also works for Snakes on a Plane which is being tossed around as well. Just some fairly irrelevant background info.
Why make SOAP?
SOAP was made in an effort to focus on farming currency for Ultima members as it's slow going to collect it from Dx/other shells and expensive to buy it all. The currency here is collected and put toward LS sponsored relics as well as people working on their own relic not supported by the LS bank. Ultima votes on which single relic for a person will be worked on at a time, hence the reason for other people working on their own relic without LS bank support. By combining buying, sponsoring Dx 50%, and sponsoring SOAP 100%, this helps fast-track paying for a person's relic.
Who runs it?
I (Fodder) am currently the shellholder. Various Ultima members are sackholders simply to make it easier to get pearls to those who need. *The sponsor is in charge of the run.* If Archain sponsors, he's mega boss. If the LS sponsors, someone takes the lead. Once we finish repaying the last bit of currency we owe on my relic, I will likely pass the shell to Kalia, and attend simply to assist continued upgrade efforts by other LS members.
What are the rules?
1. ALL currency singles/100s go to sponsor, be it individual or LS currency pool.
2. You can lot any AF2 you can use until you win one. If, after 2 min, no one wants it, I'll call for free lot - which means it's BST/DRG.
3. Sponsor may not lot AF2 unless no one wants it and they ask nicely.
4. Crafting materials are for those not lotting AF2 and not sponsoring.
5. Exp pages free lot.
6. Relic weapons /toss - who cares.
7. The sponsor will report attendees and AF2 winnings to Garret after each run.
8. Follow the instructions of the leader.
Who and how many people can go?
The shell is open to Ultima members. Prospective Ultima members may ask to go in order to get better acquainted with Ultima members. Ultima members may invite a friend or two should they choose. No more than 24 people may attend. Attendees bring the job they are asked to in order to build a balanced raid party and successful run. Regarding Dx members attending: If Dx is full or something, provided you are experienced in Dynamis, know the pulls, what to do, when to do it, and can follow instructions - simply ask and if there is a place for a job you have leveled to 75 you can likely attend. If you win AF2 it will cost Dx points as Garret stated. RR items should be used at all times, Kalia likes to bring big pulls sometimes. Just know that I like to Raise 1 people who forget RR.
How do you do it with 12-24 people?
Target setup is:
PT1
----
BLM
BLM
BLM
BLM
BRD
THF - puller
PT2
---
TANK
TANK
WHM
WHM
RDM
BRD
PT3
---
Melee
Melee
Melee
THF
WHM / SMN
BRD / RDM / Melee
PT4
whatever's left
As you can see this aims for specific jobs. Melee form renkei partners and announce to BLMs. Unfortunately, five paladins asking to go are likely to all be turned away. I'm not fishing for members from Dx, just saying if the run is full or something you can ask about going with SOAP if you should desire and maybe we can get you in.
Don't you die alot?
Yeah, we're still housetraining Kalia to try to avoid this, but Dynamis with a small group IS riskier. Players die more often than when there are 50 people mobbing something to death. We often sleep mobs through Hundred Fists and the like. There are advantages to a smaller player base though. Far less lag, a bit of strategy when fighting, SCs, and for a lot of people, a hell of a lot less competition for AF2. Last night we did Beaucedine with 18 people. I was lotting crafting materials and 6 of the other 16 people (sponsor excluded) got AF2 - that's 37%. Two of them were free lotted after two min because no one wanted (DRG/DRK), but that's still pretty damned good odds at winning. Once points start 4/6 of those would have counted as 8 Dx points burned.
Which zones do you do/what's your schedule?
SOAP runs concurrent with Dx and a handful of other shells. Currently we find an empty Dynamis zone that we feel we have sufficient numbers to farm and go. We are working to formalize and publish a schedule though. We usually enter before Dx, because it takes 2 min to get 12-24 ppl set up, and most everyone is there and ready by 15 min past start time.
If you do such-and-such a zone can I go for clear?
We don't go for clear unless it's for a TE in a zone where post boss farming is possible. Dx is the place for clearing zones and zerging HydraNMs/DL/Animated Weaps/etc., SOAP is the place for farming.
Can I have some gil?
Sorry fresh out. Garret is rich though so ask him.
Will you marry me?
No, but I hear Tarnak is available.
That's pretty much it, sorry for the partial derail and wall of text. I just wanted ppl to understand what it is and why it exists.