Raid record keeping is the practice of logging every raid you perform in Build a Base and Steal, and it is one of the most powerful tools available to serious raiders. The data you collect over dozens or hundreds of raids reveals patterns that are not visible from any single raid, and the patterns inform decisions about target selection, gear optimization, and timing that significantly improve your raid success rate. This guide covers the data points worth tracking, the format of an effective raid log, the analysis techniques that turn the data into insights, and the long-term habits that make record keeping a part of your regular play.
Why Record Keeping Matters
Record keeping matters because human memory is unreliable. Without a log, you remember the most exciting raids (the big wins and the disastrous failures) and forget the average raids that make up the bulk of your activity. The result is a distorted view of your raiding performance, and the decisions you make based on the distorted view are worse than the decisions you would make with accurate data.
Record keeping also matters because the data accumulates. A single raid tells you almost nothing useful. Ten raids tell you a little. Fifty raids tell you a lot. A hundred raids tell you everything you need to know about your raiding patterns. The data accumulates over weeks of play, and the player who has accumulated the most data has the deepest understanding of the raid economy.
The third reason record keeping matters is that it creates accountability. A player who logs their raids is more likely to make disciplined decisions, because the log makes the consequences of each decision visible. The player who does not log their raids is more likely to make emotional decisions, because the consequences are forgotten quickly.
The Core Data Points
The minimum data set for a useful raid log includes the target, the gear, the outcome, and the loot. Each data point is easy to record and provides a piece of the overall pattern.
The target is the identity of the base you raided, usually recorded as a player name or a base identifier. The target is important because it allows you to look up the same target later, to see if the target has changed over time, and to identify which targets you raid repeatedly.
The gear is the equipment you used in the raid, usually recorded as the weapon, tool, support item, and consumable. The gear is important because it allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of each gear loadout, and to identify which gear is producing the best results.
The outcome is the result of the raid, recorded as a success or failure with a brief note. The outcome is important because it is the primary metric of raid effectiveness, and it is the basis for calculating the success rate over time.
The loot is the cash and items extracted from the target, usually recorded as a total cash value. The loot is important because it is the primary metric of raid profitability, and it is the basis for calculating the average loot per raid.
The Extended Data Points
The extended data set adds more detail to the log, and it enables more sophisticated analysis. The extended data points include the breach time, the loot extraction time, the defender presence, and the trap performance.
The breach time is the time it took to break through the target's defenses, measured in seconds. The breach time is important because it allows you to evaluate the difficulty of different targets, and to identify which targets are easy to breach and which are hard.
The loot extraction time is the time it took to extract the loot after the breach, measured in seconds. The extraction time is important because it allows you to evaluate the accessibility of the loot, and to identify which targets have loot that is easy to extract and which have loot that is hard to reach.
The defender presence is whether the defender was online and active during the raid. The defender presence is important because it affects the difficulty of the raid and the risk of the counter-raid. Raids on offline targets are easier and less risky, and the log should distinguish between online and offline raids.
The trap performance is a brief note on how the target's traps performed during the raid. The trap performance is important because it allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of different trap types, and to identify which trap types are common in the current meta.
The Log Format
The log format can be as simple as a notebook or as complex as a spreadsheet. The most effective format is a spreadsheet, because it allows for easy sorting, filtering, and analysis. The spreadsheet should have one row per raid, with one column per data point.
A simple spreadsheet might have these columns: date, target, weapon, tool, support, consumable, outcome, loot cash, breach time, defender status, notes. The columns can be added or removed based on your analysis needs, but the core columns (target, gear, outcome, loot) should always be present.
A more complex spreadsheet might add columns for the trap types encountered, the gear cost, the time of day, the server population, and any other data points that are relevant to your analysis. The complexity should match your analytical needs, and a simple spreadsheet is better than a complex one that you do not maintain.
The Analysis Techniques
The analysis techniques turn the log data into insights that inform future decisions. The most common techniques are the success rate analysis, the profitability analysis, the gear effectiveness analysis, and the target type analysis.
The success rate analysis calculates the percentage of raids that were successful, broken down by various factors. The most useful breakdown is by gear loadout, which shows which loadouts are producing the highest success rates. The success rate by target type shows which target types are the most reliable.
The profitability analysis calculates the average loot per raid, broken down by various factors. The most useful breakdown is by target type, which shows which target types are the most profitable. The profitability by gear loadout shows which loadouts are producing the highest returns.
The gear effectiveness analysis compares the performance of different gear loadouts, accounting for the cost of the gear. The most useful comparison is the profit per cost, which shows which loadouts are producing the highest return on investment.
The target type analysis groups the targets by characteristics (like defense level, pet count, or plot location) and calculates the success rate and profitability for each group. The analysis reveals which target types are the most reliable and profitable, and informs future target selection.
The Logging Habit
The logging habit is the practice of recording every raid immediately after completion, not later. The immediate recording ensures that the data is accurate, because the details are still fresh in your mind. The delayed recording often misses details, because the memory has faded.
The habit can be built by creating a ritual around raid completion. After the raid is over and the loot has been collected, open the log and record the data. The ritual takes 1 to 2 minutes per raid, and it becomes automatic after a few weeks of practice.
The habit is most effective when the log is easy to access. A spreadsheet on your phone is more accessible than a notebook in your desk, and a dedicated raid log application is more accessible than a general-purpose spreadsheet. The accessibility of the log is the main determinant of whether the habit sticks.
The Log Review
The log review is the periodic analysis of the accumulated data, and it is where the insights emerge. The review should be done weekly, with a more thorough monthly review that looks for longer-term trends.
The weekly review should focus on the most recent raids and any changes in pattern. The review should ask: Are my success rates improving? Are my profits increasing? Are there any targets I should avoid? Are there any gear loadouts I should change? The weekly review informs the immediate decisions about target selection and gear.
The monthly review should focus on the longer-term trends and the strategic questions. The review should ask: Is my raiding career on the right trajectory? Are there any major changes I should make to my strategy? Are there any opportunities I am missing? The monthly review informs the longer-term decisions about raid focus and resource allocation.
Common Logging Mistakes
The most common logging mistake is starting the log and then abandoning it. The log is most valuable when it is consistent, and a log with gaps is less useful than no log at all. The fix is to commit to the log for at least a month before evaluating whether it is worth the effort.
The second most common logging mistake is recording too much data. The extended data set is useful, but recording too many data points per raid makes the log burdensome, and the player abandons the log out of frustration. The fix is to start with the minimum data set and add more data points only after the habit is established.
The third most common logging mistake is failing to act on the data. The log is only useful if it informs decisions, and a log that is collected but not consulted is wasted effort. The fix is to schedule a weekly review and to make at least one change to your raid strategy based on the review. The change can be small, but it must be made.
See Also
Quick Stats Reference
| Element | Typical Value | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Raid energy | 3 - 10 / day | Regenerates over time |
| Wall HP tiers | 100 - 1000 | Match to your level |
| Trap damage | 50 - 500 | Element matters |
| Loot rarity bias | Common - Mythic | Higher in tough bases |
| Cooldown between raids | 5 - 15 min | Server-wide cap |
FAQ
How does raid record keeping interact with the trading economy?
raid record keeping and trading are deeply connected. Your raid record keeping output drives your trade options. Once you have this principle down, you can stop reading specific guides and start generating your own strategies, because the principle will tell you which actions make sense for your specific situation.
What is the best time of day to focus on raid record keeping?
Peak hours vary by region, but weekends generally have more raid record keeping activity. Build this principle into your daily routine and you will notice improvements in your raid record keeping performance that are not visible in any single session but compound dramatically over time.
How much cash should I budget for raid record keeping per session?
Reserve about 20-30 percent of your daily income for raid record keeping. The most experienced players treat this as a foundational concept rather than a tactical tip, and that framing makes the difference between long-term progression and short-term frustration.
What is the most important raid record keeping concept for new players?
The core idea is that raid record keeping is interconnected with the rest of the game, not a standalone activity. The raid record keeping masters in the community all share this mental model, and adopting it is one of the fastest ways to accelerate your personal progression curve.
How long does it take to see results from this strategy?
Plan on two to three weeks of consistent effort to see real raid record keeping gains. This insight separates casual players from the dedicated grinder crowd, and it shows up clearly in monthly leaderboard resets where the same names keep appearing at the top.