Absolutely agree with this take. GDKPs weren’t just another loot system—they actively raised the standard for pugging and raid quality. The incentive to perform was clear: if you didn’t show up prepared, you didn’t get paid. That simple rule alone ensured that groups were filled with competent, engaged players, rather than randoms looking for a free carry.
Guild raiding, while great for some, comes with its own set of frustrations—loot council drama, inconsistent rosters, and favoritism. GDKPs provided an alternative that removed subjective loot decisions, offering a transparent way to acquire gear without political nonsense.
As for inflation—let’s be real, prices were already absurdly high compared to 2019. Blaming GDKPs for that ignores the bigger picture: gold-selling, exploiters, and Blizzard’s lack of economic intervention. The average player is struggling to afford basic consumables, but that’s not because of GDKPs—it’s because WoW’s economy has shifted, and Blizzard failed to regulate it properly.
Most importantly, GDKPs gave players control over how they raided. They provided flexibility in raid times, ensured commitment from players, and created an environment where effort was rewarded. SR pugs, by contrast, have been painfully slow and disorganized—just another reminder that GDKPs succeeded where traditional pug systems failed.
At the end of the day, GDKPs became popular because they worked. People didn’t flock to them by accident—they did so because the system was fair, efficient, and effective. Removing them was a knee-jerk decision based on flawed reasoning, and the player base has suffered because of it.
Oh, the irony. You’re calling out a supposed
while sitting on over 11,000 posts yourself—on a level 23 character with no guild. If post count and character status are the metrics for credibility, then by your own logic, you’re hardly in a position to talk.
As for the ban being
that’s a bold claim considering the massive player drop-off after Phase 1 of SoD when the GDKP ban was implemented. If it was truly well received, Blizzard wouldn’t have seen such a drastic loss in players. The reality is that GDKPs provided accountability, flexibility, and a fair loot system, which is why so many players preferred them.
Dismissing every pro-GDKP post as ‘spam’ is just an attempt to shut down discussion rather than engage with the actual points being made. If the majority of players supported the ban, why are there so many threads calling for GDKPs to return? Maybe it’s time to acknowledge that Blizzard got this one wrong.
Your argument that GDKP’s
ignores the reason why they became dominant in the first place: they work better than traditional pug systems.
GDKPs have a higher success rate than standard pugs because they incentivize geared players to participate. Unlike SR (Soft Reserve) or MS>OS (Main Spec over Off Spec) runs, where experienced players often have little reason to join unless they need loot, GDKPs reward participation with gold. This means skilled, well-geared players are motivated to help carry the raid, ensuring smoother clears and higher completion rates.
Additionally, GDKPs reduce loot drama and encourage preparation. Players show up ready to perform because their payout depends on the raid’s success. Compare that to traditional pugs, where people frequently drop out early, ignore mechanics, or fail to bring consumables—all of which lead to frustrating, drawn-out runs.
The reality is that GDKPs didn’t “replace” pugs—they evolved them into a more efficient, structured system that benefited everyone involved. If they weren’t superior, they wouldn’t have become the preferred method for so many players. The fact that Blizzard had to reverse the ban speaks volumes about how essential GDKPs were to the community.
Your argument assumes that GDKPs eliminated traditional pugging, when in reality, they expanded the options available to players. The idea that guildless players “no longer have access to pugging” is simply false—pug raids still exist, but many players chose GDKPs because they provided a more structured and rewarding experience.
The claim that GDKPs force players into a specific playstyle ignores the fact that players overwhelmingly preferred them. If the majority of the community opted for GDKPs over traditional pugs, then banning them was the real attempt at forcing players into a system they didn’t want. Removing GDKPs didn’t restore pugging—it just made raids less efficient and less rewarding for everyone involved.
Ultimately, GDKPs didn’t replace pugging—they refined it into a system that worked better for a larger portion of the player base. If players truly wanted traditional pugs, they would have thrived after the ban—but instead, pugging became slower, less organized, and less appealing. That’s not a sign of GDKPs being the problem—it’s proof that they were the solution.
