Best effort. But to answer the question: no, as long as you do the same number of actions on the eb, it's the same payout
I'm not sure I understand the OP's question, but specifically for your answer, that's not entirely accurate. If you do attack/assassinate/scout actions while regening off zero soldiers and spies, you'll get less payout at the end than if you skimmed from full soldiers and spies (assuming same number of actions). I haven't proven that it's true for steal actions recently, but I have no reason to doubt it's the same there as well.
I'm pretty sure it wasn't about hitting mechanics, which is why I was addressing your answer about action payout. It turns out I was mistaken on double checking, however. It seems that the Newsfeed payout notification factors in the gold you got while hitting the EB in the number it gives you these days. You are indeed correct, though I'm still not certain your answer was what she was asking about. Edit: For the record, my initial response, while mentioning it as an example, wasn't about skimming.
Each eb has a max drop. So every eb gives the potential for you to receive max drops. For example, let's say AFF has a max drop of 400. If you run 2 AFFs in 24 hrs, that's only a possibility of 800 drops. If you can fit 4 in, that's 1600 possible drops. Obviously it's unlikely you'd reach max drops every single eb (assuming you sleep :grin, but fast ebs means greater possibility for more drops.
Drops are dictated over size & activity. Bigger you are less you need to do to achieve max drops. They are correct however, there is a cap on drops verses payouts. Running a 300% Crux & couple xtals gives me next to max drops on Lotl/Goth with minimal effort. While otherwise I'd haft to be on the entire battle unloading normally for the same results. Item hunters Crux & Xtal at last 25% for 1-1.3k items per be in 15-20 mins. As stated longer it takes to finish less chances of making Max Drops in the same day. Average players like myself use Crux & Xtals to supplement before sleeping or after waking up & seeing the Main bars almost half done. Allowing a regin break but not missing out on max drops from that particular eb. Basically:Longer Eb = more hits & more gold with a possible max Payout. Shorter Eb = Less gold, Faster Payout & potential of more per day. (Assuming you cruxed)