Cooldowns - Revision history

Theo at 22:43, 15 September 2026

2026-09-15T22:43:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:43, 15 September 2026
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	'''Cooldowns''' are the timers that govern what you can do and when in [[Hardcore Factions]]. Most of the format's tactical depth comes from them: fights are won by knowing whose pearl is down, when a class comes back online, and how long a faction has left before its DTR starts regenerating.		'''Cooldowns''' are the timers that govern what you can do and when in [[Hardcore Factions]]. Most of the format's tactical depth comes from them: fights are won by knowing whose pearl is down, when a class comes back online, and how long a faction has left before its DTR starts regenerating.

	<div ~~style~~="~~border~~-~~left:5px solid #3a6b8c; background:#f4f8fb; padding:12px 16px; margin:1em 0; border~~-~~radius:0 6px 6px 0;~~">		<div class="hcf-callout hcf-callout--danger">
	'''Values vary by network.''' The durations below are typical, not universal. Enchantment caps and cooldown lengths were the two biggest differences between servers, and assuming one network's numbers on another is a good way to lose a fight. Check the rules page of the server you play on.		'''Values vary by network.''' The durations below are typical, not universal. Enchantment caps and cooldown lengths were the two biggest differences between servers, and assuming one network's numbers on another is a good way to lose a fight. Check the rules page of the server you play on.
	</div>		</div>
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	== Quick reference ==		== Quick reference ==
	{\| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:92%; width:100%;"		{\| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:92%; width:100%;"
	\|- ~~style="background:#3a6b8c; color:#ffffff;"~~		\|-
	! Cooldown !! Typical length !! Applies to		! Cooldown !! Typical length !! Applies to
	\|-		\|-
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	=== Ender pearl ===		=== Ender pearl ===
	<div ~~style~~="~~border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border~~-~~radius:6px;~~">		<div class="hcf-callout hcf-callout--note">
	The most important cooldown in the game. After throwing a pearl you cannot throw another for roughly '''16 seconds'''.		The most important cooldown in the game. After throwing a pearl you cannot throw another for roughly '''16 seconds'''.

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	=== Combat tag ===		=== Combat tag ===
	<div ~~style~~="~~border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border~~-~~radius:6px;~~">		<div class="hcf-callout hcf-callout--note">
	Being hit by a player applies a tag lasting '''30 to 60 seconds''', and every further hit resets it. While tagged you cannot:		Being hit by a player applies a tag lasting '''30 to 60 seconds''', and every further hit resets it. While tagged you cannot:

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	=== Class warmup ===		=== Class warmup ===
	<div ~~style~~="~~border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border~~-~~radius:6px;~~">		<div class="hcf-callout hcf-callout--note">
	Equipping a full armour set does not activate the [[Classes\|class]] immediately. A short warmup runs first, typically a few seconds, during which you have the armour but none of the abilities.		Equipping a full armour set does not activate the [[Classes\|class]] immediately. A short warmup runs first, typically a few seconds, during which you have the armour but none of the abilities.

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	=== God apple ===		=== God apple ===
	<div ~~style~~="~~border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border~~-~~radius:6px;~~">		<div class="hcf-callout hcf-callout--note">
	Eating a god apple starts a long personal cooldown, anywhere from '''several minutes to several hours''' depending on the network. Some servers scale it by rank.		Eating a god apple starts a long personal cooldown, anywhere from '''several minutes to several hours''' depending on the network. Some servers scale it by rank.

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	=== Logout timer ===		=== Logout timer ===
	<div ~~style~~="~~border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border~~-~~radius:6px;~~">		<div class="hcf-callout hcf-callout--note">
	Disconnecting doesn't remove you instantly. Your character stays in the world for around '''30 seconds''' and can still be killed, which prevents combat logging as an escape.		Disconnecting doesn't remove you instantly. Your character stays in the world for around '''30 seconds''' and can still be killed, which prevents combat logging as an escape.

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	=== Home warp ===		=== Home warp ===
	<div ~~style~~="~~border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border~~-~~radius:6px;~~">		<div class="hcf-callout hcf-callout--note">
	<code>/f home</code> does not teleport instantly. There is a warmup of roughly '''10 seconds''', and taking any damage cancels it.		<code>/f home</code> does not teleport instantly. There is a warmup of roughly '''10 seconds''', and taking any damage cancels it.

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	=== Bard energy ===		=== Bard energy ===
	<div style="border:~~1px solid~~ #c9a227; background:~~#fdf8e8; padding:12px 16px; border~~-~~radius:6px~~;">		<div class="hcf-callout hcf-callout--note" style="border-color:#c9a227; background:var(--background-color-neutral);">
	Not a cooldown in the strict sense, but it works like one. [[Bard\|Bard]] energy fills passively while the full gold set is worn, typically to a cap of 100, and each effect spends a fixed amount.		Not a cooldown in the strict sense, but it works like one. [[Bard\|Bard]] energy fills passively while the full gold set is worn, typically to a cap of 100, and each effect spends a fixed amount.

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	=== Archer tag ===		=== Archer tag ===
	<div ~~style~~="~~border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border~~-~~radius:6px;~~">		<div class="hcf-callout hcf-callout--note">
	An [[Archer]] hitting someone with a bow applies a tag lasting around '''10 seconds''', during which that target takes increased damage. Further hits refresh it.		An [[Archer]] hitting someone with a bow applies a tag lasting around '''10 seconds''', during which that target takes increased damage. Further hits refresh it.

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	=== DTR freeze ===		=== DTR freeze ===
	<div ~~style~~="~~border:1px solid #b04a4a; background:#fdf4f4; padding:12px 16px; border~~-~~radius:6px;~~">		<div class="hcf-callout hcf-callout--danger">
	When a faction member dies, the faction's '''DTR''' drops and enters a freeze. During the freeze it does not regenerate at all. The freeze typically lasts an hour and resets with every further death.		When a faction member dies, the faction's '''DTR''' drops and enters a freeze. During the freeze it does not regenerate at all. The freeze typically lasts an hour and resets with every further death.

Theo: /* Why they matter together */

2026-09-09T22:55:55Z

Why they matter together

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:55, 9 September 2026
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	See [[Deathban]] for the full mechanic and its consequences.		See [[Deathban]] for the full mechanic and its consequences.

	~~== Why they matter together ==~~
	~~<div style="border-left:5px solid #3a6b8c; background:#f4f8fb; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:0 6px 6px 0;">~~
	A fight in HCF is largely an exercise in tracking several timers at once, on both sides. Whether the enemy bard has energy, whose pearl is available, who has eaten a gapple, how long a faction's DTR has been frozen.

	~~Teams that call this out loud beat teams that don't, which is why coordination matters more than individual skill at the top of the format.~~
	~~</div>~~

	== See also ==		== See also ==

Theo: /* Claim and disband */

2026-09-09T22:54:48Z

Claim and disband

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:54, 9 September 2026
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	Once the freeze expires, DTR regenerates slowly back toward its cap. Rates and caps scale with roster size and vary by network. See [[Factions]].		Once the freeze expires, DTR regenerates slowly back toward its cap. Rates and caps scale with roster size and vary by network. See [[Factions]].
	</div>		</div>

	~~=== Claim and disband ===~~
	~~Some networks apply cooldowns to disbanding a faction, unclaiming land, or setting a new home, to stop factions from relocating instantly when found. Details vary considerably.~~

	== Deathban ==		== Deathban ==

Theo: /* DTR freeze */

2026-09-09T22:54:27Z

DTR freeze

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:54, 9 September 2026
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	=== DTR freeze ===		=== DTR freeze ===
	<div style="border:1px solid #b04a4a; background:#fdf4f4; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:6px;">		<div style="border:1px solid #b04a4a; background:#fdf4f4; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:6px;">
	When a faction member dies, the faction's '''DTR''' drops and enters a freeze. During the freeze it does not regenerate at all. The freeze typically lasts ~~several minutes~~ and resets with every further death.		When a faction member dies, the faction's '''DTR''' drops and enters a freeze. During the freeze it does not regenerate at all. The freeze typically lasts an hour and resets with every further death.

	This is what makes losing fights spiral. A faction taking casualties cannot recover while it is still being killed, so a bad fight pushes it steadily toward being [[Glossary\|raidable]] with no way to stabilise until the attackers stop.		This is what makes losing fights spiral. A faction taking casualties cannot recover while it is still being killed, so a bad fight pushes it steadily toward being [[Glossary\|raidable]] with no way to stabilise until the attackers stop.

Theo: Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:Cooldowns}} TOC '''Cooldowns''' are the timers that govern what you can do and when in Hardcore Factions. Most of the format's tactical depth comes from them: fights are won by knowing whose pearl is down, when a class comes back online, and how long a faction has left before its DTR starts regenerating.
'''Values vary by n..."

2026-09-08T15:53:41Z

Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:Cooldowns}} __TOC__ '''Cooldowns''' are the timers that govern what you can do and when in Hardcore Factions. Most of the format's tactical depth comes from them: fights are won by knowing whose pearl is down, when a class comes back online, and how long a faction has left before its DTR starts regenerating. <div style="border-left:5px solid #3a6b8c; background:#f4f8fb; padding:12px 16px; margin:1em 0; border-radius:0 6px 6px 0;"> '''Values vary by n..."

New page

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Cooldowns}}
__TOC__

'''Cooldowns''' are the timers that govern what you can do and when in [[Hardcore Factions]]. Most of the format's tactical depth comes from them: fights are won by knowing whose pearl is down, when a class comes back online, and how long a faction has left before its DTR starts regenerating.

<div style="border-left:5px solid #3a6b8c; background:#f4f8fb; padding:12px 16px; margin:1em 0; border-radius:0 6px 6px 0;">
'''Values vary by network.''' The durations below are typical, not universal. Enchantment caps and cooldown lengths were the two biggest differences between servers, and assuming one network's numbers on another is a good way to lose a fight. Check the rules page of the server you play on.
</div>

== Quick reference ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:92%; width:100%;"
|- style="background:#3a6b8c; color:#ffffff;"
! Cooldown !! Typical length !! Applies to
|-
| [[#Ender pearl|Ender pearl]] || ~16 seconds || Individual
|-
| [[#Combat tag|Combat tag]] || 30–60 seconds || Individual
|-
| [[#Class warmup|Class warmup]] || A few seconds || Individual
|-
| [[#Gapple|God apple]] || Minutes to hours || Individual
|-
| [[#Logout timer|Logout]] || ~30 seconds || Individual
|-
| [[#Home warp|Home warp]] || ~10 seconds || Individual
|-
| [[#Bard energy|Bard energy]] || Continuous || Individual
|-
| [[#Archer tag|Archer tag]] || ~10 seconds || Individual
|-
| [[#DTR freeze|DTR freeze]] || Minutes || Faction
|-
| [[#Deathban|Deathban]] || 30 min to hours || Individual
|}

== Individual cooldowns ==

=== Ender pearl ===
<div style="border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:6px;">
The most important cooldown in the game. After throwing a pearl you cannot throw another for roughly '''16 seconds'''.

This single number shapes how fights work. A player who has just pearled cannot escape again, which is why teams track enemy pearls and commit when they see one used. Pearling into a fight without a way out is the most common way to die.

Pearls are disabled entirely inside the [[Citadel]], which is what makes that event different from every other fight in the format.
</div>

=== Combat tag ===
<div style="border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:6px;">
Being hit by a player applies a tag lasting '''30 to 60 seconds''', and every further hit resets it. While tagged you cannot:

* use <code>/f home</code>
* enter spawn or any safe zone
* log out safely

The tag is what stops fights from being ended by warping away. Escaping means physically getting clear and staying untouched for the full duration, which is why [[Glossary|kiting]] and pearls matter so much.
</div>

=== Class warmup ===
<div style="border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:6px;">
Equipping a full armour set does not activate the [[Classes|class]] immediately. A short warmup runs first, typically a few seconds, during which you have the armour but none of the abilities.

Swapping classes mid-fight therefore has a real cost: you lose the old class the instant a piece comes off, and wait through the warmup before the new one works. A [[Bard]] switching to [[Diamond class|diamond]] under pressure spends that window with no class at all.
</div>

=== God apple ===
<div style="border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:6px;">
Eating a god apple starts a long personal cooldown, anywhere from '''several minutes to several hours''' depending on the network. Some servers scale it by rank.

Because the cooldown often outlasts the fight, gapples are spent at the decisive moment rather than early. Knowing an enemy has used theirs is worth as much as knowing their pearl is down.
</div>

=== Logout timer ===
<div style="border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:6px;">
Disconnecting doesn't remove you instantly. Your character stays in the world for around '''30 seconds''' and can still be killed, which prevents combat logging as an escape.

Logging out while [[#Combat tag|combat tagged]] is blocked outright on most networks, or results in an immediate death.
</div>

=== Home warp ===
<div style="border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:6px;">
<code>/f home</code> does not teleport instantly. There is a warmup of roughly '''10 seconds''', and taking any damage cancels it.

Combined with the combat tag, this means retreating to base requires breaking away cleanly first, waiting out the tag, and then standing still through the warp. Three separate windows in which you can be caught.
</div>

=== Bard energy ===
<div style="border:1px solid #c9a227; background:#fdf8e8; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:6px;">
Not a cooldown in the strict sense, but it works like one. [[Bard|Bard]] energy fills passively while the full gold set is worn, typically to a cap of 100, and each effect spends a fixed amount.

Regeneration is usually faster when out of combat or standing still, so bards top up between pushes rather than during them. A bard at zero energy is a very fragile diamond, which is why energy management is the hardest part of the class.
</div>

=== Archer tag ===
<div style="border:1px solid #b8ccd9; background:#f9fbfc; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:6px;">
An [[Archer]] hitting someone with a bow applies a tag lasting around '''10 seconds''', during which that target takes increased damage. Further hits refresh it.

The tag is the archer's whole contribution. It doesn't kill on its own; it makes whoever your diamonds are focusing die faster.
</div>

== Faction cooldowns ==

=== DTR freeze ===
<div style="border:1px solid #b04a4a; background:#fdf4f4; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:6px;">
When a faction member dies, the faction's '''DTR''' drops and enters a freeze. During the freeze it does not regenerate at all. The freeze typically lasts several minutes and resets with every further death.

This is what makes losing fights spiral. A faction taking casualties cannot recover while it is still being killed, so a bad fight pushes it steadily toward being [[Glossary|raidable]] with no way to stabilise until the attackers stop.

Once the freeze expires, DTR regenerates slowly back toward its cap. Rates and caps scale with roster size and vary by network. See [[Factions]].
</div>

=== Claim and disband ===
Some networks apply cooldowns to disbanding a faction, unclaiming land, or setting a new home, to stop factions from relocating instantly when found. Details vary considerably.

== Deathban ==
The longest cooldown in the format, and the one that defines it. Dying removes you from the server for anywhere from '''30 minutes to several hours'''. Ranks often shorten it, which is one of the main things networks sell.

See [[Deathban]] for the full mechanic and its consequences.

== Why they matter together ==
<div style="border-left:5px solid #3a6b8c; background:#f4f8fb; padding:12px 16px; border-radius:0 6px 6px 0;">
A fight in HCF is largely an exercise in tracking several timers at once, on both sides. Whether the enemy bard has energy, whose pearl is available, who has eaten a gapple, how long a faction's DTR has been frozen.

Teams that call this out loud beat teams that don't, which is why coordination matters more than individual skill at the top of the format.
</div>

== See also ==
* [[Deathban]]
* [[Factions]] and [[Claiming]]
* [[Classes]] · [[Bard]] · [[Archer]]
* [[Citadel]]
* [[Glossary]]

[[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[Category:Hardcore Factions]]