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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsOn 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 2 of 2)
disrepdog13 Mar 3rd 2007 3:33PM
Everyone here on the EU adopts the same policy, need on items you can wear (althought that normally provokes a request to need, drowned out by everyone saying, "If you need, need!"), greed on all BoP items like Corruptor's Scourgestones etc., and pass on all other BoPs unless you can actually use it and it will be an upgrade, otheriwes if everyone passes, then you roll on it for the vendor cash, or the d/e if you have one in your group.
Annoula Feb 28th 2007 3:44PM
@13 - In pugs I've noticed a lot of people loot during combat. Personally nothing bothers me more than seeing an item come up during combat. I generally ignore any rolls until the combat is finished. Once all the mobs are dead I take a look at the item, see if I'd wear it. If not, I hit greed a bit late. If I do I'll ask if anyone minds me needing on it. Unfortunately this generally means that I'm needing after everyone else has rolled greed. It's not a matter of me being greedy, but me being more concerned with the task at hand than the loot.
BTW, the rolling system is great but I wish there was a way to have it not show up in the main chat log. Nothing like an old school ZG run with a bunch of people that loot in combat. 40 different people rolling on those damn coins. Better hope everyone's got a mic because text gets completely lost (like PAT COMING... wipe FTL).
Karl Feb 28th 2007 3:49PM
Loot rules kept simple will always work.
In PUGs, Roll Need on Greens and all BoE. Pass on all Blues, Epics and BoPs. This accomplishes the following...
Players who roll need on greens and BoE will not have to worry about Ninja'd items. They can also work trades or something out with players that may in fact need the item after the instance is done. This aids in speeding up the clearing of the instance.
Passing on all Blues, Epic and BoP will allow you to discuss who needs the item and then /roll will resolve it. In almost all cases, the group leader should be the last to pass on these to prevent Ninjas from attacking.
In guild runs, we usually all roll greed on greens and BoE. We pass on Blues, Epics and BoPs. The guild runs are always fair, and I have never been screwed out of an item. In fact, most of the time, people will pass on greens if they feel that they have taken enough loot. I like the laid back atmosphere, and it is one of the reasons I stay with my guild.
Trogg Feb 28th 2007 3:50PM
A situation I don't think anyone has yet mentioned on this thread is gear sets. I'm a feral druid but I heal in dungeon runs about half the time. Other times I tank. I have two backbacks full of alternate gear for any situation.
So if an obvious druid item drops, I'll need it, but if there is a potential cat/rogue item I sure WANT it, but of course I won't be *needing* it immediately, only after the dungeon is beat and we go our separate ways. The issue is amplified when you have role-based gear sets because you can make use of almost anything. Often I find druid, rogue and even some priest items to be useful.
In this situation, I almost always let a rogue or priest have first dibs, but I can see it being a tough call if my group sees me roll need on 4 items then stick them in my backpack with the rest of my wardrobe because I'll need them *later*.
Braz Feb 28th 2007 4:13PM
Even in PUGs, I find that the basic system of need if you need (as in, its better than what you currently wear), greed if you don't, pass if you want to be nice works just fine. Occasionally you run into exceptionally bossy and or paranoid ground leaders who insist on being master looter; otherwise, the basic system is simple and efficient.
I have found that certain classes--hunters and rogues, specifically--tend to get automatically labeled as ninjas, which can create a lot of unjustified drama when they actually, legitimately need something. Whether the prejudice comes from experience, from a misperception of a player's relative value to the group, class envy, or some other reason, such sentiments are annoying. Has anyone else noticed this, or observed another class getting undeserved hatred when items start dropping?
Quoi Feb 28th 2007 6:02PM
How my guild operates in 5 mans:
1. BOP, Blue, or better - All pass. Discuss, then /roll.
2. Rep items that everyone needs (Corruptor's Scourgestones) - Need roll.
3. Scryer/Aldor items - ONLY members of that faction may roll on said items, unless everyone that can use it is exalted, in which case all greed.
4. Greens - All greed, unless someone needs, in which case they may need after announcing it.
That about covers it, and I think this is pretty much standard.
Also, I lol'ed at the problem not existing on EU servers (yeah, right.) We Americans are downright greedy bastards, eh?
Cramer Feb 28th 2007 6:35PM
@5 and 18
The reason for passing on BOP's in my groups and PUG's is simply so the enchanter can roll greed and get the item for D/E if no one needs. Then everyone rolls on the shard which is usually always worth more in the AH then a vendor trashed blue.
If there are no enchanters then everyone just rolls greed for Vendor trash.
syco Feb 28th 2007 8:19PM
What I generally do and suggest is that you check to see if there's any enchanters in the group that can DE, if so all DE'ers Greed BOP's, people who are going to wear it Need, and others pass, otherwise everyone greeds everything unless they need it, (and obviously people should announce they are needing something before they do so).
This tends to work out very well.
garuktaag Feb 28th 2007 8:41PM
"Also, I lol'ed at the problem not existing on EU servers (yeah, right.) We Americans are downright greedy bastards, eh?"
More likely EU culture leans more towards "high context", while US culture leans more towards the opposite. In low context cultures people go by the rules, if there are rules, and if they aren't any rules then they feel justified in doing as they please.
Google "high context culture" to learn more.
Vince Mar 1st 2007 12:09AM
on my server (azgalor) we either roll need or pass. the greed button is useless.
Lorenzojr Mar 1st 2007 4:41AM
I've never been in a group where everyone passes on BoPs and then 'discusses' who gets it. Why not discuss it before rolling, or more likely, look at the item and the party members- odds are only one or two can use it at most.
In Guild runs, enchanters roll greed on BoPs, everyone else Passes unless they Need it.
The Need button was implemented for a reason.
Mac Mar 1st 2007 8:02AM
I find this whole debate utterly hilarious actually. I play on Dentarg an EU server and only very, very rarely do you come across a problem. Greed roll automatically then if you Need an item then Need on it - simple, and everyone abides to it (unless you get a ninja in which case they get blacklisted and no-one ever party's with them again). Seriously, why oh why would you get the whole grp to pass on a BoP item that no-one needs and then 'discuss' the merits of who should get it?!?!? That's what the Greed button is for for god sake! You people must spend your life 'discussing' and never playing!! Astonishing...
chimera Mar 1st 2007 7:27AM
"Nothing like an old school ZG run with a bunch of people that loot in combat. 40 different people rolling on those damn coins."
woot, 40 man ZG! :)
On our server (Quel'Thalas EU) everyone rolls need on stuff they need (how amazig), greed on vendor trash and all BOE (unless ofc it's an upgrade item so you can need it), greed on fraction rep items. Most people ask before needing stuff.
If there is an enchanter he always greeds BOP items (unless he NEEDS it) and all others pass, so the enchanter gets the item if noone needs it. Then the shard is rolled for. If there is no enchanter, all ppl greed all bop items by default. It's so simple.
Passing to discuss is totally redundant imho. There is plenty of time to discuss, and most items don't need discussion anyway.
Rayza Mar 3rd 2007 3:35PM
Hmm...a mixed set of results really...