Running quests on platforms like Zealy or Galxe is easier when your reward rules are clear. A rank-bucket system lets you control how much each performance tier gets, while a small “random slice” helps keep the quest exciting for more people.
This article breaks down the approach discussed in the video: distribute rewards by rank buckets, then reserve about 10% for random participants outside the top 100 bucket.
Reward distribution by rank buckets
Instead of treating every participant the same, group users into rank ranges (rank buckets). Each bucket represents a performance tier, and each tier receives a predetermined reward amount.
The key benefit is control and predictability. By mapping rewards to rank ranges, you decide in advance how much value goes to each level of performance. That makes your distribution feel fair because participants can understand that rewards are tied to rank.
In practice, your first step is to define the rank ranges you want to use. The video’s framing suggests examples like rank 4–10 and rank 10–25—however, the specific ranges and count of buckets are up to you.
Assign reward amounts to each rank range
After you choose your rank buckets, assign reward amounts to each range. The method is straightforward: “rank 4 to 10 got X amount of money” (and similarly for the other buckets).
Because the amounts are predetermined, you can:
- Ensure the total reward budget matches what you planned.
- Make outcomes consistent across quests.
- Avoid last-minute adjustments that can feel arbitrary.
A well-defined tier table (bucket → reward amount) also makes it easier to communicate expectations to your community. Participants can see how the reward system works, not just that “winners get rewards.”
Add a random slice outside the top bucket
To add discovery and keep more people engaged, the video recommends reserving a smaller portion of rewards for randomness.
The idea is simple:
- Your main reward distribution is still driven by rank buckets.
- A smaller portion is awarded to random participants who fall outside the main top bucket.
This means that even if someone doesn’t place in the highest rank range, they still have a chance to receive a reward. The system keeps the incentives aligned with performance while adding an element of surprise.
Example allocation: ~10% for random participants outside top 100
A specific guideline from the video is to allocate “maybe 10%” to random participants outside the top 100 bucket.
Within this approach, the reward budget is effectively split into two parts:
1. The majority of rewards go to rank-bucket winners.
2. About 10% is reserved for random recipients outside the top 100.
This maintains a strong emphasis on top performers (because most rewards still follow the bucket tiers), while still widening participation through chance.
Why bucket + randomness can improve quest engagement
This combined design aims to improve engagement in two ways.
1) Bucket rewards make outcomes feel fair and understandable
When rewards map clearly to rank ranges, participants can predict how performance translates into rewards. That reduces confusion and helps people trust that rewards are distributed according to a consistent rule.
2) A random slice gives additional chances beyond top placements
Even with clear tiering, some users will naturally fall short of the top bucket. The random slice provides an extra opportunity for those participants. That can make the quest feel less like “only top spots matter,” and more like there’s still something to gain even if you didn’t rank at the very top.
Practical checklist for implementing this model
Here’s a scannable setup flow you can use for Zealy/Galxe quest reward distribution:
- Decide your rank buckets
- Define the rank ranges you’ll use for reward tiers.
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Keep bucket boundaries consistent across quests if possible.
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Assign reward amounts per bucket
- Determine exactly how much each rank range receives.
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Make sure the total reward budget is controllable.
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Reserve a random reward slice
- Set aside a smaller portion of the total rewards.
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Use the guideline from the video: around 10% for random participants outside the top 100.
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Choose who qualifies for the random slice
- The video’s example specifies “outside the top 100 bucket.”
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Apply that same rule each time to keep it fair and transparent.
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Communicate the rules clearly
- Explain that most rewards are based on rank tiers.
- Explain that an additional portion is awarded randomly to participants outside the top bucket.
Conclusion
A rank-bucket reward system for Zealy or Galxe quests helps you distribute rewards in a controlled, predictable way based on performance tiers. To make the quest feel more dynamic for the broader community, the video recommends reserving about 10% of rewards for random participants outside the top 100 bucket.
If you want quest participants to feel rewarded for effort and keep motivation high even without top placements, this bucket-plus-random approach is a practical structure to implement.
