Mists of Pandaria: Raid Finder loot system changes clarified
by Matthew Rossi 
Mar 19th 2012 at 5:50PM
Zarhym -- The new LFR roll system
First, other players will not affect your loot in any way. Another player winning will not cause you to lose. Another player winning a mace will not mean that she took your mace. If there are many rogues in the raid, your chance of winning a rogue item is not diminished. We may decide that each player has an X% chance to get loot, or we may decide that X number of players get loot, and then randomly determine who those lucky players are.
Second, the item you win will be "useful" in the sense that it's potentially usable by your current spec. This does not mean that warriors will get leather because warriors can equip leather (at a huge stat loss). It also does not mean that the game will always give you an item you want or an upgrade for the items you have. It just looks and says "You are a Holy priest, so here is a random item chosen from the Holy priest-appropriate items that this boss can drop."
Second, the item you win will be "useful" in the sense that it's potentially usable by your current spec. This does not mean that warriors will get leather because warriors can equip leather (at a huge stat loss). It also does not mean that the game will always give you an item you want or an upgrade for the items you have. It just looks and says "You are a Holy priest, so here is a random item chosen from the Holy priest-appropriate items that this boss can drop."
You'll still have a chance to not get the item you want and have to come back again, but at least this will curb that hideous sinking sensation of seeing Gurthalak drop and knowing yet again that someone else is going to get it instead of you, leading to hostility. Zarhym then goes on to explain the bonus roll system, which is a roll you can effectively trade in for a guarantee of some kind of reward, be it extra gold or a random drop from the boss. At present, this is all only for the Raid Finder, with a possibility of seeing the systems in dungeons if it works out.
It's open warfare between Alliance and Horde in Mists of Pandaria, World of Warcraft's next expansion. Jump into five new levels with new talents and class mechanics, try the new monk class, and create a pandaren character to ally with either Horde or Alliance. Look for expansion basics in our Mists FAQ, or dig into our spring press event coverage for more details!
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Raiding, Mists of Pandaria
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 4)
Killik Mar 20th 2012 8:35AM
This does actually seem to be what they're thinking of implementing. Just without the bag.
raine13 Mar 19th 2012 10:55PM
looking forward to this.
personally, i quit doing LFR after about 50 raids got me exactly 1 drop. and it wasn't even a good one. and it was on an alt, so my main still went without. not much point to playing with strangers if there's no loot, and for me, there was never any loot.
this, however, seems like it should have always worked this way.
sidhebane Mar 19th 2012 11:40PM
Suggestion: if the loot is assigned based on class/spec combo, rather than just class, give you the OPTION when you queue to pick an off-spec
You will not be put into the raid as that role, but have the chance to get loot for it. Note that this REDUCES your chance to get main-spec loot, since the pool of eligible items is wider. If you queue for two roles, the one you don't get assigned counts as your off spec.
You'd have to refine it for double-dps specced toons, especially Druids and shaman, who use completely different gear for their alternate dps specs.
Pros: allows you to gear up a new spec, especially a tank or heal spec, without the pressure of that role. You're not nInjaing gear off the healer or tank, because they'd have exactly the same gear chances whether or not the dps classes took this option.
It's not like you can't occasionally pick up offset tank pieces. Tank shield drops, and your tanks are DK and Druid? Hell yes, my retadin is rolling need!
Fletcher Mar 20th 2012 4:37AM
I'm glad to see Blizzard considering ways to stop loot bartering.
Jyotai Mar 20th 2012 6:06PM
I see potential for this being so popular that people start griping about any content lacking it.
But of course, statistics also say there will be that one priest who wins the same robe, every boss... every time they queue...
- But at least -that guy- will be able to choose the bonus loot option after it becomes obvious that the system has his name on record in the 'sucks to be you' column. :)
kara Mar 24th 2012 1:07PM
i like this idea. do not know how many times i have done lfr and walked away with nothing. currently on a 3 week period of receiving nothing at all and still only 1 tier piece. this way, someone is likely to get geared quicker and more effectively. that 3 week dry spell would turn into a 1 week instead perhaps. if someone more geared gets something, so what...at least this way you have a higher probability. i like the change personally. wish guild raids were like this due to guild masters having their favorites or are in favor of gearing officers and themselves before anyone else. just have everyone roll and have a chance at gearing up even on hard modes.