The Auctioneer lets players bid for system-listed rewards. Current NPC auctions use Dark Matter and lock the active bid in escrow so the same currency cannot be spent twice.
What is the minimum next bid?
next = current + max(minimum increment, ceil(current × 2%) + 5). An auction may define its own minimum increment. At 10,000, the percentage rule adds 205, so the next bid is at least 10,205 unless the configured increment is larger.
What happens to Dark Matter after bidding?
The leading amount is locked in escrow. When increasing your own bid, only the difference is required. If another player outbids you, your previous escrow is refunded automatically.
How does anti-sniping work?
The default anti-snipe window is 120 seconds. A qualifying late bid extends the ending by that window, with total extra extension capped at 600 seconds. Individual auctions can use another anti-snipe value.
Can bids be spammed?
No. The current per-user rate limit is 2 bids per 60 seconds.
What happens when the auction ends?
The winner receives the reward and the winning escrow is consumed. Losing escrow is returned. Current NPC rewards can include resource-pack crates/avatar items, avatar items and Academy fragment/experience rewards.
How the minimum bid really increases
The next minimum bid is dynamic: next = current + max(minIncrement, ceil(current × 2 / 100) + 5). A player may place at most 2 bids per 60 seconds. Escrow locks only the additional amount required when you raise your own leading bid; if another player overtakes you, the previous escrow is released back to your Dark Matter balance.
If a valid bid arrives inside the auction’s anti-snipe window, the end time is extended by the configured anti-snipe interval. The accumulated extension can never exceed 600 seconds. Only active NPC auctions using Dark Matter are accepted by this service, so the displayed minimum, remaining time and locked amount should be treated as authoritative at the moment of bidding.
FAQ — Auctioneer
Do I lose Dark Matter when outbid?
No, the locked amount is refunded.
Does a bid in the final seconds always end immediately?
No. Anti-sniping can extend the auction.
Related FAQ: How does the bank and withdrawal fee work? · How do officers and their bonuses work?
Note: values shown in the game panel are calculated from the current configuration of the selected universe. If balance settings change, the live game values take precedence over numerical examples in this FAQ.