Ask WoW Insider: BC loot etiquette
by Barb Dybwad 
Jun 1st 2007 at 3:45PM
Gather 'round for another Friday edition of Ask WoW Insider, where we publish reader questions for community feedback. Last week we looked at where the best class loot lists live, and this week we have a few questions regarding loot etiquette in instances involving a couple of popular BC drops. Jeffrey writes: I've recently come across a few situations where I'm not sure of the proper etiquette, even though I've been playing for a couple years. This is mainly because new items have appeared that have blurred the lines in my mind.Do you or your guild have any set rules regarding the above scenarios? If you've encountered these situations on past runs, how did your group handle them? Is there an optimal solution to any or all three questions?
1) In an instance, we find a locked chest but have no rogue. I however have a blacksmith key/seaforium charge that can open it. Should I open the chest (spending the mats i used for the key/charge) for myself or for a group roll?
2) A primal nether drops. I can use it to make a BoE item which I plan to sell for a large profit, but someone else in the group can use it for a BoP item for themself. How should I roll?
3) An arcane tome/fel armament drops and the group says need if you're scryer/aldor. I belong to this faction but am already exalted with them. How should I roll?
I'd appreciate feedback on what is the right thing to do in these situations, or if not necessarily right what is considered acceptable to do.
More Ask WoW Insider awaits you next week, but it needs your questions! Send us your burning conundrums to ask AT wowinsider DOT com.
Filed under: Items, Instances, Ask WoW Insider
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Molly Jun 1st 2007 3:53PM
1.) Since green/ rare items in chests are automatically rolled on by the whole party now, that should clear up that issue. If there are pots you need, take them. It's your supplies making the key or what not anyways.
2 & 3.) If I'm running with guildies, then I would pass and let the people that need them take them. If it's a pug, I'd roll for armament/tome/nether because you know that other people that don't really need the items are rolling too.
That's my 2 cents.
Gargoyle Jun 1st 2007 3:57PM
Dont /rand on chests anymore. The good loot inside is rolled on by group now since 2.1.
I've rolled need on faction items if I'm that faction but honestly they should be greed because anyone can trade/sell them.
primal nether...no clue. Give to the person who wont stop crying or gives the best case for needing.
Brandon Jun 1st 2007 3:57PM
1. Wait until the instance ends then backtrack back to the chest and get your free items with you mat. Since everyone else left and had no way of opening it and you do, means free stuff for you.
2. Roll on the primal nether you can use it to make something just as someone else can. No matter what you plan on doing with the item.
3. If your exalted and don't need the dust for an enchant. Pass on the item.
aggregate Jun 1st 2007 3:59PM
1. As a rogue, I am torn by this. I would not say that the person who's trained skill opens the chest automatically get it, but that is just who I am. I can see how someone could see it that way however.
2. Another tough call. If they are guildmates and you are progressing through raids, let the other person have it. If it is a pug, roll.
3. I am Exalted w/ Aldor on my main and always just roll greed on tomes and arms. If you are lvling rep with that faction, roll need. Simple.
Chris Jun 1st 2007 4:03PM
Same as the rules have always been:
Talk about the loot rules up front, in a pug. If you disagree, find another group. Otherwise, don't complain if the group's doing something you don't like.
In my guild, the only rule is 'Don't be an ass' and it works pretty well.
big red boar Jun 1st 2007 4:09PM
BigRedBoar has the answers to your looting problems
http://bigredboar.blogspot.com
Almus Jun 1st 2007 4:08PM
@4 (Aggregate)
I think you misunderstood the question about the chest. Rogues can train the skill to open the chest, but the act of opening it doesn't cost them anything. The question is, if I am a blacksmith or an engineer I can make a single use item that will open the chest (not cheap at high levels either) Should I use that item and then have to roll also for the item in the chest? If I lose the roll then I am out the cost of the key/charge.
My vote on this one is you should ask the group.
"Hey I can open this chest, but it will cost me 2g in mats, will the person who wins the roll for any greens/blues cover my cost?" if the answer is "no" then just leave the chest locked (and come back after the run if you still can)
Verit Jun 1st 2007 4:10PM
Its pretty simple in the groups I've been with and the guild in general. Need - if you need. Green's/BOE's - greed (again need if you actually need). Primal nethers - need if you need (only if you have a profession that needs it! Even if you plan to use it for massive profit). If its a BOP and no-one needs it - DE it and roll on that. Since Fel Armnaments are neither BOE/BOP - everyone greeds on it - same with Tomes. Even a Scryer/Aldor can sell it on AH.
Simple enough?
Sblaze Jun 1st 2007 4:15PM
One opinion regarding Fel Arms/Tomes which I agree with is this: regardless of whether you are Aldor or Scryer and regardless whether or not you are exhalted with your chosen faction, the "value" or "net worth" is exactly the same for Armaments/Tomes and everyone should roll on these the same way.
These can be traded "one-for-one" - neither is more rare than the other. Their worth is unaffected by outside influences like the arbitrary decision of a player that chose one faction over the other. No one can really say 'this is worth more to ME than it is to YOU' because their value is exactly the same either way.
If I'm Scryer and a Fel Armament drops, I should be allowed to "need" on that as much as an Aldor because if I win the roll I can easily trade it 1-for-1 to someone with a Tome, or even sell it on the AH and buy my Tome with the proceeds. I've been in several parties that held to this system, and found it works better than simply not allowing opposing factions to roll for the drop.
TV Genius is a Dumb ass Jun 1st 2007 4:26PM
1) Pretend you don't have the key/charge, when every1 hearths go back and open it for yourself.
2)Depends, do you still need your epic flying?
3)Don't be a dick!
Porridge Jun 1st 2007 5:05PM
1) As a rogue with maxed lockpicking, and maxed BS, you should really share any chests you get dont be a tight arse.
2) If they are guildmates then feel free to discuss the issue with my preference leaning to BOP items, if its a pug then everyone who can use it should roll need. The fact that you can buy nethers with tokens means that you will get one in time.
3) I always used to make everyone who was not exalted with either faction roll need as these items can be swapped with each other. ( I was exalted with scryers very quickly through grinding so I've passed on a lot of these )
aggregate Jun 1st 2007 4:42PM
@6
Yeah, I see your point. Assuming that you would need to use an Elemental Seaforium Charge, it's would generally not be worth it to open the chest anyways. =]
Tulkas Jun 1st 2007 4:49PM
Not really related to this topic but still regarding loot -- anybody else notice that you can find chests in the Outlands now?
Duncan Watson Jun 1st 2007 4:51PM
1- open and now the game will auto /rand on the greens
2- need roll for primals always if you are a crafter who can use it. I don't support people who try to do relative need scaling. You are one of the few who can use it and will therefor you need.
3- repeating someone above (don't be a dick)
Stormsinger Jun 1st 2007 5:07PM
Assuming a PuG:
1) This is really the hardest of the questions, btw. I would open and need/greed normally. Heck, I'd be happy just to get to open the chest without a rogue (always frustrating to pass up "free" loot). If the mats are in the 10G range I'd ask for donations, but for less, no.
2) It's a mat, where is goes (for a PuG) is really not that important. As noted above, you have no way of knowing what they need it for. And, if they really do there's nothing preventing them from offering cash to the other members to pass.
3) Roll on BoE rep stuff like any other green, rep level doesn't matter. And, again, you have no way of knowing someone else's rep needs (without a tab out to armory).
Again, as noted above, if you have doubts, talk out with the group before the run. Classic version of this was the Corruptor Scourgestones in Strat. General rule on my server was "everyone Need" on them. I was taken aback the first time people did that (my general rule is pass all BoPs and discuss), but after that it became second nature.
Milkstar Jun 1st 2007 4:53PM
1) Pretend you don't have the key/charge, when every1 hearths go back and open it for yourself.
It's team play like this that I enjoy the most out of this game.
tendo Jun 1st 2007 5:54PM
I love how these days web "publishers" don't even have to write any of their own content.
Step 1: Ask for questions
Step 2: Paste question into a page
Step 3: Enable comments and let the users write for you!
Step 4: MONEYS!
I love this site, because I'm an avid gamer and Warcraft enthusiast. But this is utter tripe! Write some content you knuckleheads!
LOL I just quit smoking yesterday. >_
imtraum Jun 1st 2007 6:03PM
1. I'd say open it and take the "junk" (which normally covers the cost of a key/seaforium). Any greens/blues would be rolled on by the group with the new system Blizzard put in.
2. Depends on the group's loot rules. If you're running a need before greed instance, the person who can craft an upgrade for themself would get preference. If you're not, I'd say a free-for-all. This really all depends on your group, and sounds like it should be something discussed beforehand.
3. Again, depends on your loot rules. Personally, I'd be nice and let those still working on their rep grind have at it.
Xixikoozu Jun 1st 2007 6:13PM
Chests.. depends on the group. No set rules.
Nethers.. depends on the group. Generally anyone that can use gets to roll. If it's a cool guildie about to make an uberloot then perhaps you pass.
Tomes/Arms.. all greed.. sometimes if you don't need them you can pass to those that do.. but generally just roll greed.
It doesn't matter if you're Scryer or Aldor, both items can be directly traded for each other easily so that shouldn't come into play at all. Both are equally valuable to both reps.
Meow.
Coherent Jun 1st 2007 6:22PM
Faction Item Question: Characters in the group have first priority over alts, so you don't roll on the item if you're already exalted. If you want to get exalted with another character, play that character and roll with a clear conscience.
Primal Nether Question: If you know that the person in the group is going to use it for a BoP item, you pass and give it to him, no question. If nobody needs it, then greed.
Altruism is always the safest course. Sure, you'll get taken advantage of sometimes, but at least you'll have plenty of self respect to get you through it.