Speaking as a GM/Raid Leader/Loot Distributor, each system has it’s benefits and shortcomings. I’ve become fairly convinced there is no perfect way to do loot.
Master Loot works well for the min/max guilds. Let them put gear on the character they want to, but they might get pieces that their group doesn’t need.
Personal loot is theoretically perfect for pugs, but has the issue of not being able to trade higher ilvl items (even though they may not be an upgrade). In guild groups this is also very frustrating as you might get a 3ilvl increase not be tradeable that you don’t need, but someone else in your guild desperately needs the item, that you can not trade them.
Need before greed also works for pugs, but you have people who need on everything whether they need it or not.
The system does need to be examined.
Completely agree with this. If non-guild groups are forced into a loot system, that is what it is. But the coding clearly already exists to determine whether or not its a guild group, so adding the choice of loot method once the threshold is crossed seems like a no-brainer.
I’m fairly convinced there is no perfect loot system, but I think the closest you will get is fully tradeable personal loot.
Pros:
- No “dead” items (Warglaives with no DH’s, Bows with no hunters)
- Would take some drama out of some guilds (you only give it up if you don’t need it)
Cons:
- Lose the “see the loot on the boss’s body” factor, a core part of an MMO
- System can still be abused.
As an individual in my position, I’m honestly not sure what I want to see most. Fully tradeable is a must. Please never bring back those restrictions, but beyond that I’m not sure. Trinkets and Tier will always cause issues. The only way to remove loot drama entirely is to remove loot, which is never going to happen for obvious reasons. (Although I did talk about another difficulty with no loot here: If DF Season 2 is the new template, raid difficulties need changes - #2 by Letholas-veknilash)