How character valuation works on Tibians

Character valuation (estimated_value) is not magic — it's an algorithm with explicit rules, regularly calibrated against real finished auctions. In this post we'll show how it works under the hood.

The valuation components

Every CharacterSnapshot has five value categories:

1. Base — the starting point, depending on level and vocation promotion.
2. Skills — total of magic level + combat skills + distance. We also count fishing separately for EK because it matters for rare builds.
3. Features — boss points, charm points (used and unused), achievement points, animus masteries.
4. Progression — quests, imbuements, blessings, gems (Lesser / Regular / Greater), prey slot, charm expansion.
5. Cosmetics & assets — store outfits, mounts, items, hirelings, gold and Tibia Coins.

We add categories with weights from valuation_rules — a database table that admins can edit without a redeploy.

Validation against reality

After an auction ends (status = 'finished') we compare estimated_value with final_price. The gap goes to our calibration module (T57):

• If we regularly undervalue similar characters → we raise the weights in valuation_rules for that category.
• If we overvalue → we lower them.

Calibration data is visible at /bazaar/statistics (T58) as a Recharts trend chart over time.

Example

For a Knight lvl 350, EU, Open PvP:

| Component | Value | | --- | ---: | | Base (lvl 350 EK) | 8 000 TC | | Skills (Magic 110, Axe 130, etc.) | 5 200 TC | | Boss points (150) | 2 100 TC | | Outfits (15 store) | 1 800 TC | | Mounts (3 store) | 600 TC | | Imbuements (8 powerful, 3 epic) | 1 400 TC | | Gold (10k) | 200 TC | | Sum | 19 300 TC |

That's estimated_value. The final price (after bidding) lands within ±15% most of the time — and that's exactly the gap our calibrator minimises.

What is NOT part of the valuation

• Tibia Coins invested in the character — tc_invested is info, not value. TC has a floating rate, and we deliberately stick to a stable unit.
• Outfits/mounts „from festivals" — those are unverifiable in public Tibia API data.
• Social standing — a popular character with a big guild has no impact on the algorithm (on purpose!).

Why this matters

The algorithm has no ambition to replace your judgement — it gives you a starting point. You can always value by hand in /workspace and compare against estimated_value. If you do this regularly, you're helping us calibrate the rules — thanks!