By handing in 150-200 reals. Every week or 3 days we get free loot that can be used by your class from the Scarlet Enclave. It can be random or by choice.
Let’s be clear—allowing players to hand in 150–200 reals every week or three days for free loot from the Scarlet Enclave is a catastrophic idea. Not only does it create a blatant shortcut, but it also rewards farming over genuine skill and effort. This system would encourage players to bypass the challenge of the raid entirely, turning the Scarlet Enclave into a monotonous grind rather than a meaningful test of teamwork and strategy.
Moreover, we already have a balanced reward mechanism in place: a weekly chalice fragment that, over the course of three weeks, is exchanged for a tier upgrade. That system is designed to reward consistent participation while preserving the integrity of the raid’s challenge. Adding an option for free loot on top of that would only flood the reward pipeline. It gives false hope to players who prefer shortcuts over earning their gear, and it will inevitably lead to fewer genuine raid clears.
This isn’t about giving anyone additional rewards—it’s about maintaining the value of hard-earned progress. Recycling the loot in this way doesn’t just cheapen the experience; it undermines the entire system by catering to those who want everything handed to them without the effort. In short, this proposal is not only flawed but also detrimental to the long-term health and satisfaction of the raid culture.
After reading the forums. People just want face roll loot. By doing this people can just do dungeons and older raids to get loot. So no need to enter Scarlet Enclave.
Horrible!!!
Your argument is fundamentally misguided. Claiming that players just want “face roll loot” and that they can farm dungeons or old raids for gear completely misses the point of what Scarlet Enclave is meant to be—a challenging, engaging raid that rewards teamwork and skill.
By allowing loot to be distributed as if it were handed out like candy on Halloween, you’re essentially paving a shortcut that erodes the very essence of raid content. If players can simply bypass the challenge of running Scarlet Enclave by resorting to easier, repetitive methods, the raid’s design and integrity fall apart. Sure, some might argue that face roll loot is what people want; however, if you fundamentally believe that guaranteed rewards devalue the effort required to earn truly impressive gear—as demonstrated by your opposition to systems like GDKPs—then endorsing any approach that mimics that logic is inherently contradictory.
Moreover, if loot is so easily acquired elsewhere, why bother entering the raid at all? The thrill and satisfaction of overcoming a meticulously designed encounter vanish when rewards are detached from genuine in-game achievement. Instead of fueling a competitive and rewarding environment, this approach encourages lazy gameplay, undermines progression balance, and ultimately diminishes the value of hard-earned rewards.
In short, handing out loot like candy does not make WoW better—it undermines what makes raids compelling in the first place.
I appreciate the passion for raid integrity, but I think you’re overlooking some major benefits of my suggestion.
The reality is, not everyone can raid on a fixed schedule, find a raid group, or dedicate hours to progression every week. Offering an alternative path, like handing in reals for Scarlet Enclave loot, supports broader player engagement without taking away from the raid experience for those who want it. It’s about inclusion, not “handing out candy.”
Scarlet Enclave would still offer the best and fastest way to gear — raiding will always be faster, more efficient, and more rewarding than grinding dungeons or farming reals. But this system gives casual players, alts, or returning players a longer, more grindy alternative. It’s not a “shortcut” — it’s another path that still requires significant effort, just a different kind of effort.
You mention that raid gear should feel meaningful and earned. I agree. But farming hundreds of reals over time is still an investment of effort and time. It’s not “free loot.” It’s earned — just through playstyles outside of structured raiding.
Also, players farming older content keeps the world alive. Giving value to dungeons, world content, and small group activities keeps the game healthier in the long run. Otherwise, everything outside of Scarlet Enclave becomes dead content fast, especially once players outgear it.
In short:
- Raiding still remains the best source of fast, meaningful upgrades.
- Casual players or people who can’t raid regularly still have a grindy but rewarding way to progress.
- It keeps older raids, dungeons, and open world content relevant and alive.
- It creates choices in how you want to engage with the game instead of forcing one narrow path.
Optional systems like this strengthen the community, extend the life of content, and make the game better for everyone, not worse.
While the alternative path approach might seem appealing on the surface, it comes with significant drawbacks that could undermine the very heartbeat of Scarlet Enclave and similar raid content.
1. Diluting the Achievement of Raiding Offering a grindy alternative to earning high-end gear risks blurring the distinction between meticulously executed raids and repetitive farming. The magic of raids lies in the unique challenges they present—requiring precise teamwork, strategy, and split-second decision making. When the same gear is accessible through an alternative, albeit grueling, path, it diminishes the thrill of pulling off a textbook raid. For many, the satisfaction isn’t just in the result but in the journey—overcoming a high-risk, high-skill encounter that tests and refines their abilities. If that same tangible reward becomes equally attainable via a grind, it devalues the sense of achievement that makes raiding a cherished communal endeavor.
2. Unintended Consequences for Game Economy and Progression Introducing an alternative system using reals could lead to unforeseen issues in game balance. If casual players, alts, and returning players start farming reals consistently, it may eventually lead to an inflation of this currency—making it easier to purchase high-tier gear without the inherent risk-reward dynamics of a raid. Over time, this could erode the rarity and prestige of loot rewards. When rewards are too “accessible” through alternative routes, it undermines the careful calibration that helps maintain progression pacing and long-term challenge.
3. Impact on the Player Community and Content Relevance While inclusiveness is a noble goal, a dual-path system creates a split in player experiences. Hardcore raiders who invest countless hours mastering encounters might feel shortchanged if the same gear is available to anyone willing to grind outside the structured raid environment. This discrepancy not only squanders the distinctive identity of raid culture but also risks fracturing the community. Players drawn to the deep, cinematic narrative and teamwork of raiding might begin to view the grind as an inferior substitute, causing a disconnect between different segments of the player base. Furthermore, while farming older content can keep the world feeling alive, it may inadvertently shift focus away from maintaining and improving challenging, coordinated raid encounters.
4. The Temptation of a “Shortcut” Mentality Even if the grind for reals requires substantial effort, it still introduces a sort of “parallel progression” that sidesteps the intended design of challenge and mastery. Players might opt for what they perceive as a more reliable—and possibly less stressful—method rather than investing in the creative and often unpredictable dynamics of raiding. This shift in behavior can discourage risk-taking and experimentation, qualities that are essential for a vibrant and evolving raid culture.
In Conclusion While adding an alternative path may extend content and superficially promote inclusiveness, the risks to game balance, player satisfaction, and community integrity are significant. A hybrid model that rewards baseline participation while clearly distinguishing performance-based achievements might offer a compromise, but care must be taken to ensure it doesn’t create an uneven playing field or reduce the timeless satisfaction that comes from a well-executed raid. Sometimes, keeping the raiding challenge intact is essential for preserving the unique thrill and accomplishment that defines high-end gameplay.
Have you ever considered whether these alternative systems might eventually erode why players originally loved intricate raid dynamics? Or what long-term effects such a split progression path could have on community cohesion and game economy? Exploring these nuances might reveal even more about what makes a game’s raid culture truly special.
I completely understand where you’re coming from, but I think there’s a fundamental misunderstanding of how an alternative path like this could actually benefit the overall health of the game and the raid culture. Let’s break it down:
-
Diluting the Achievement of Raiding:
Raiding, in all its glory, remains the most rewarding method to acquire top-tier gear, both in terms of speed and efficiency. The introduction of a grindy alternative to earn loot doesn’t replace raiding; it simply offers players an alternative method. For many, raiding isn’t just about the loot—it’s about the challenge, the teamwork, and the experience. That’s why raiders will continue to raid. The alternative method isn’t about devaluing the effort of raiding, but about providing a path for those who cannot commit to a raid schedule, prefer a solo-oriented grind, or simply want a longer road to progression. If anything, it enhances the satisfaction for dedicated raiders by making their experience more exclusive for those who prefer to raid. -
Unintended Consequences for Game Economy and Progression:
You’re right to be cautious about game balance, but the grind for reals is not going to create a flood of high-tier gear—it’s a substantial time investment. The system would still require long hours of farming for slower progress compared to raiding. It’s not about creating a shortcut but providing a viable alternative that caters to different player needs. This doesn’t inflate the game’s economy; it diversifies the ways in which players can progress. Rare gear will always be earned faster and more efficiently by raiders, preserving the prestige of top-tier loot. -
Impact on the Player Community and Content Relevance:
Instead of splitting the community, this alternative system can actually unite different types of players. Hardcore raiders have their own space, and casual players have an option that doesn’t diminish the effort of top-tier progression. This system doesn’t replace raiding, it simply ensures that the entire game ecosystem is alive. Older content, such as dungeons and previous raids, remains relevant to everyone, which keeps the entire game world from becoming obsolete. The challenge in raids isn’t just about the loot—it’s about mastering encounters. And for those who can’t commit to raiding, they’ll still be rewarded for their time investment through an alternate grind. -
The Temptation of a “Shortcut” Mentality:
The misconception here is that the grind for reals is a “shortcut.” It’s not. It’s simply a different way of acquiring gear. A grind in this system will still require commitment, and those who choose it will face a different challenge. This won’t take away from the creative and unpredictable dynamics of raiding; in fact, it can complement them by giving players who aren’t raiding a sense of progression without bypassing the real challenge. Players still need to earn their gear, they just don’t have to go through the same format that may not fit their playstyle or schedule. This adds choice and flexibility, not a shortcut.
Conclusion:
In the end, this isn’t about undermining raids, but about offering players options to progress in a way that suits their playstyle and time constraints. Offering alternatives like this doesn’t erode the game’s progression system, but rather enriches the overall experience by catering to a wider variety of players. It would ensure that everyone can engage with the game on their own terms, without losing the challenge and rewards that make raiding so special for those who are committed to it. And most importantly, it preserves the value of team-based achievement by keeping raids the most rewarding and fastest method of obtaining top-tier loot.
Sometimes, choice isn’t a threat to progression—it’s an opportunity to grow the community, giving all players, regardless of their playstyle, a way to enjoy the game on their terms.
I commend you for using Chatgpt against this enh guy that refuses to write his own arguments.
Let’s be clear: offering an alternative, grind-based path isn’t some brilliant, community-saving move—it’s a recipe for diluting what makes raiding truly exhilarating.
1. Undermining the Core Challenge of Raiding Raiding has always been about overcoming intricate mechanics and unpredictable outcomes through teamwork and individual skill. Introducing another route to gear, even if it’s slower, risks sending the message that the brutal, finely tuned challenges of raids can be sidestepped. When players choose a path that steadily rewards them without fully embracing the raid’s risk–reward design, the unique brilliance of tall, hard-won achievements loses its luster. Instead of standing out as a symbol of mastery, top-tier loot may soon look less like the pinnacle of accomplishment and more like a byproduct of persistent token farming.
2. Disrupting Game Economy and Progression An alternative path—even one that requires lengthy farming—can inadvertently upset the careful balance of progression. If casual or time-constrained players can eventually amass high-end gear through sheer grinding, it creates a bifurcated economy. This risks eroding the clear distinction between those who dedicate themselves to mastering challenging content and those who take the “long way” around. The result? A potential flood of gear that undermines the rarity and prestige of truly earned rewards.
3. Splitting the Raid Culture Supporters of an alternative route argue it’s about inclusiveness. Yet, by offering a “grindy” substitute, you inadvertently create a rift. Hardcore raiders—who put in sweat, strategy, and countless hours—will feel that their efforts are devalued when the same rewards become attainable through an entirely different, more mundane process. Rather than uniting the community, you risk alienating those who thrive on the unparalleled satisfaction of conquering content as originally designed.
4. The “Shortcut” Illusion Even if proponents insist that a grind for tokens isn’t a shortcut, any system that allows players to bypass the inherent risk of encounter-based loot drops ultimately softens the challenge. True reward comes from embracing harsh mechanics and unpredictable RNG, not from following an endless grind that guarantees eventual success. When gear becomes accessible by any means other than the intended raid challenges, the very essence of “earned” rewards is in jeopardy.
This isn’t about denying players variety or choices—it’s about preserving what makes raids legendary. The alternative path might seem to offer options, but in reality it undermines the authentic, high-stakes risk–reward dynamic. Raiding should remain a domain where every piece of top-tier gear stands as proof of overcoming overwhelming odds through skill and teamwork—not as evidence that persistence can eventually bypass the need for mastery.
So, ask yourself: When true success is defined by sweat, strategy, and unpredictability, is introducing an alternative that softens that journey really an opportunity to enrich the community—or just a shortcut that diminishes the very value of earned glory?