On Needing and Greeding
by Mike Schramm 
Feb 28th 2007 at 1:01PM
Some of you may remember, as I do, a time when there was no Greed button, only a dice and pass options on looting. Either you wanted the item, or you didn't. Or, it was BoP loot, in which case, as I remember, everyone was supposed to pass, and then you all decided what to do-- though it was so long ago, I can't quite remember why that was...At any rate, that time is over, and now we have the option to Need or Greed roll on loot that shows up, so it's pretty clear what to do when loot drops-- if you need it, roll Need, and compete with other Needers. If you just want, roll Greed or pass, and everybody's happy.
Except, as with everything, there are exceptions. Nesp from Lightning Blade brings up one of the most common-- he's a jewelcrafter, and he's wondering if he should roll Need or Greed on gems-- sometimes, he's the only one in the party that can cut them, but then again, anyone can use them after they're cut. Likewise, I think there's a little confusion about things like Fel Armaments and Arcane Tomes as well-- yes, people of the opposite faction from Aldor or Scryer shouldn't roll on rewards they don't need, but should the right factioned people all roll Need or Greed? Likewise, everyone needed things like Corrupter's Scourgestones-- should everyone in that case roll Need, or just roll Greed?
As Blizzard says (sensibly) in the thread, the best policy is to actually decide on a policy within the party before you have to-- nothing worse than losing an item to someone who can't use it, or taking an item accidentally that you don't really need. My plan is probably the default most players use: if you need it (as in, you can wear it or turn it in ASAP), roll need. If you don't (or you're going to sell it at the AH or DE or vendor it away), roll greed, and live with the consequences (there's always more loot to gain). But whatever works for you is what works best.
Filed under: Items, Tips, Instances, Jewelcrafting
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alex Feb 28th 2007 4:34PM
same thing, if someone can actually use it then need, pretty simple concept
priest Feb 28th 2007 1:29PM
I played for 1.5 years on US WoW, before moving to EU WoW and one of the big differences I noticed that was the need / greed "problem" only seems to affect US.
I've played on a few EU servers now and every non-guild group auto-adopts the "everyone greeds, unless you need - and if you need, you say before pressing" rule, and it works absolutely fine. From corruptors stones to gems to fel armaments. Also, never forget none BOPs like gems and rep stuff are good for everyone - they are $$$ at the AH.
Todd Feb 28th 2007 1:31PM
With regards to BoP items, groups still pass on such loot and then discuss, with /roll afterwards.
Sometimes people like to discuss on such items, as there can often be a higher priority or circumstance which dictate who gets the actual drop.
Annoula Feb 28th 2007 2:07PM
So far the need/greed hasn't been a problem. Some guildies I grouped with once had a neat way to handle BOPs.
Pass - if you don't need it
Greed - if you can DE it
Need - if you'll wear it
Worked really well for us.
Acceptable Risk Feb 28th 2007 1:51PM
Practically every group I've been in on Runetotem (US-Horde) has used the method priest described. Roll Greed at will and announce before you roll Need just so there are no suprises. Then if you've already picked up a few Greeds and you're feeling like a nice guy, you maybe Pass on a few drops.
So far, I've run into very very few looting problems. It seems most people on my server understand that it's not worth jeopardizing your WoW reputation to screw over your groupmates and snag a few extra gold.
FishBulb Feb 28th 2007 1:52PM
I think this whole need and greed thing is irritating and funny. I've been in many groups where no one talks at all until a BOP item pops-up then everyone is all up in arms.
Also I don't get the whole pass on BOPs and then roll after. The greed button automatically rolls for you so why bother?
Zuuler Feb 28th 2007 1:52PM
I find it depends on your group. I do a lot of PUGs so looting is different jsut about everytime I do an instance. Some groups greed everything but boss loot, in which case everyone passes. Other groups greed everything that drops. Some groups stop and see if anyone needs the item, then if no one needs it, an enchanter will disenchant and we roll on the results.
No matter what though, if something drops that I want (class gear, nice staff/sword/dagger/wand) I will ask if anyone else wants it, then ask if I can need it. As long as everyone is OK with that, I tend to get things I am looking for in an instance.
I once got both peices of my warlock dungeon set 1 in the same strat run, and since I was the only lock, no one cared if I needed, but I still asked.
Outlander Feb 28th 2007 2:27PM
most of these threads i read and just shake my head, having so much to say but never say it because of all the QQing. BUT, this one I must comment on.
I am typically group leader in an instance run and as such it is my responsibility to lay down looting rules which I do before we kill even one trash mob. the rules are as follows:
1. If something drops that you truly need (as in gear that you will immediately equip) then roll need whther BoP or BoE.
2. If a non-gear item (i.e. gems, fel armament etc...) drops roll greed and if you have no immediate use for it other than AH pass(i.e. Crafting or rep gain etc...) if by chance everyone passes (which never happens) then we can discuss that item or all roll for it.
3. Boss Drops - pass till we decide who gets what.
If I am in a PUG or have a player in the group who has been a bit off I just set to ML before downing the boss just to be safe.
These rules are simple and never seem to fail unless you get a ninja in a PUG in which case you kick him/her from your group and bring in a replacement.
Also if you are on an alt running a low lvl instance (VC/WC etc...) remember there could be real true noobs in your group (people who are on their first character) be patient with them and explain eveything about looting so you dont end up with a bad BoP situation.
Thats it for me this time
Be nice to Noobs! :P
Sideshow Feb 28th 2007 1:55PM
Our Guild groups do what #2 said. Everything that is BoE, everyone greeds on (unless someone needs it and they say so.) All BoP items are auto-pass and then we discuss and give it to the player who needs it most. If nobody needs it, we'll usually have someone DE it and roll on the shard. It seems to work great for our groups, but then again, it's not a PUG.
Kraki Feb 28th 2007 4:02PM
I find that anyone who rolls on a BoP items tends to be harassed. In most of my groups, you greed everything, and pass on all BoP items, if you do need something, just say so and you'll likely end up getting it even if you didn't win the roll. The way I see it, as long as people are nice and don't start complaining about everything, I don't care if they ask for the BoE item I just won, I was most likely just going to disenchant it anyways.
When people start rolling need on stuff they think they need, it invariably leads to arguments. No, I don't think enchanters should get an item over a non enchanter in a PUG just so they can D/E it, and what the hell do I care that your alt needs that gem?
Mekias Feb 28th 2007 2:12PM
Fel Armaments and Arcane Tomes are interesting. I personally think everyone should greed them because even if you are of the opposite faction, you can almost always trade them with someone else. So basically they have the same value for both sides.
Tetelestia Feb 28th 2007 2:19PM
I don't think "can" wear it is a fair way of defining rolling need. Warriors, for example, "can" wear any armor type, yet casters are obviously limited to only cloth. I've been in low level instance groups that have had warriors roll on cloth head pieces because they didn't have one, and because they "could" wear it. That extra 40 armor really put them over the top I guess...
I've always felt they should implement class restrictions on rolling need. The need button should not be an option for clear-cut not-for-that-class items, like anything below mail for warriors, and shields for casters. Gray areas being left open for need and debate as they occur, and already do.
Chris Feb 28th 2007 2:48PM
I get a little annoyed when everyone Greeds a drop, then out of nowhere someone will ask, "Can I need that?" It's like they waited to see what everyone else was going to do, and since need trumps greed, that's when they ask. As soon as I observe a player doing that, I wait and wait before I click an option.
Todd Feb 28th 2007 2:34PM
Hmm, I wonder... if you're in a group and the Warrior decides to roll Need on an obvious caster drop, if you were to kick the Warrior from the group before the caster rolls Need, then would the drop still be given to the Warrior if he does in fact roll higher?
Incidentally, a Warrior rolling on an obvious caster item DOES deserve a kick. That's like a Rogue rolling Need on the Azuresong Mageblade just because it is a sword, and out rolling the Mage.
Drakar24 Feb 28th 2007 3:14PM
I don't have loot problems since I started running exclusively with my guildies. We all know each other and what our professions are. We discuss who gets what and divy it up.
Pretty easy. Helps that they are all really good peeps too.
priest Feb 28th 2007 2:40PM
The other thing I forgot to say, is that if it's a good BOP that none of us really want, I'll offer to disenchant it, then we all roll on the shard. This always seems to go down well.
chaz Feb 28th 2007 2:48PM
I thought rolling on the shard was standard practice, until recently. In the last several pugs i've run with people have been greeding the bop and not offering the shard for roll.
Again, these are pugs, not guildies. Is anyone else encountering this phenomenon?
Krianna Feb 28th 2007 3:02PM
1) need if you NEED it-- ie, it will be a big upgrade on what you have, even if you can't use for a level or two.
2) greed if you want it for money, skills, whatever.
3) pass if you have needed on the BOP before this and don't need this one.
I generally ask if I can need, even when I'm the only one who can use something. That's politics, though.
AS someone mentioned, a BOP no-one can use but which can be DEed is usually passed on and DEed, then /random ed for.
I think that someone rolling need on a gem because "I need to raise my skill!" would go over about as well as someone rolling /need for a BOP because they "need to raise their skill!"
Kragragh @ Undermine Feb 28th 2007 3:07PM
In a PUG it depends...if I feel like they're "doing me a favor" by letting me tag along (higher levels than me, all same guild, etc.) than I try to pass as much as possible just to be a nice guy. Especially if I'm just finishing one random quest or something, or I've made it clear up front I just need some help killing x guys to finish a quest then I have to jet - I try to be as helpful as possible.
This also comes from the fact that I've been in groups where we have someone a few (or more) levels below us that isn't contributing much, and is rolling need on a lot of stuff they shouldn't be and it's annoying as hell.
Bradley Nash Feb 28th 2007 3:22PM
BoP or BoE it shouldn't matter. If you need it (ie its armor thats better than you currently have equipped) then roll need. If you don't need it, but want to sell it, roll greed, becuase that's what that button is for. If it's something you don't really want and other people do, but its a gem or something and nobody rolls need, then pass. I ran SM with a guy who stated before we went in that he wanted a certain item. It was a leather piece and I'm a lock so I didn't care, I passed when the item came up. Apparently he wasn't the only one that wanted it and two others rolled need, whereas the guy who said he wanted it rolled greed. He bitched at all of us because we didn't let him have it. If you NEED it, roll NEED. And what is this nonsense about passing on a BoP then rolling afterwards to see who gets it? That defeats the entire need/greed/pass rolling process and takes more time.