Confirmed: Loot is not random

Q u o t e:
So, the end result is that loot is not random.

So why the hell do class set items drop when that class isn't present in the damn instance?

The end result is that people are taking the assumptions way too far. :p

Of course there are rules concerning loot. You won't find a level 10 random mob dropping the same loot as Illidan. Edwin VanCleef drops stuff no other mob drops - not even randomly from level 70 mobs outdoors. Some mobs can drop cloth, others not. Etc, etc.

That does not mean the characters involved, the time of day, the guild, the raid leader, whether it's raining in Shanghai or the colour of your bicycle has any effect on the drop. It might be a factor in a computer generated "random" seed, but as long as it's not the only factor for the seed it's completely irrelevant what the factors are - it's as random as it gets.

And the stories of streaks of good or bad luck on drops only confirm the randomness. Between the thousands of guilds and groups doing the instances there has to be one, or ten or fifty or even hundreds, who get the same item(s) (almost) every time. But if everybody got that, we'd see nothing else on the forums I'm sure. ;)

Q u o t e:
Quick! Someone tell me the conditions in Shanghai! I need to know if I'll get Kang the Decapitator today!

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/12/20

Q u o t e:
What would be nice i and don't understand why it has not been done many years ago is a checker of classes that zone into instances and then certain items are blocked.


Like you have no warrior/pally so you get no plate from bosses.

i don't understand whats so tough about doing that rly

I don't think it being tough has anything to do with it. If you want that kind of predictability, why not program an equipment check and drop exactly what you need - every time? Got 7/8 of a set? Next run you will get that 8th piece, no matter what. Can you make Mageweave bandages? Let's not drop Silk Cloth, but only Mageweave. I honestly think that'd be boring, and prefer the random chances and excitement of hoping to be lucky. It's about finding a balance. You know where the item can drop, but you can't be sure it will drop. Having everything be random world drops would be strange.

And removing other items based on your class doesn't mean we'd automatically make "your" item drop more often. At least you get some gold or a shard now. ;)

Q u o t e:
Well now you are taking it too far :)
I know random is exciting and fun, at least for the ones who are favored by luck. Luck shouldn't decide which person gets all what he wants immediately and who never gets anything he wants. Is it really fair?

Of course I exaggerate for the sake of argument. :) The point was that there's a middle ground, and I don't think the drop rates in WoW are very cruel at all.

Q u o t e:
I must say with leveling my mage and hunter in TBC I got a lot of cloth items on my mage and now I get lots of mail greens with my hunter.

For me it feels like the opposite. Same two classes. :p

Q u o t e:
Nice answer. BS of course

...and that's how one shows one can't bring anything valuable to the topic but rather try insult or discredit others.

Q u o t e:
but if u've done say 10 runs at it hasn't dropped yet with your "pure luck random" system then make it 100% maybe?

Should that be at the cost of somebody else's drop though? What if the mob is set to drop only one item, and two have 7/8? What if they're the same class? No need to answer. Just showing that there can be questions about any system, and while you surely have an answer maybe others won't agree.

I don't claim that the system is perfect and the best way of doing things. I just don't think it's so horribly unfair and cruel some make it out to be. Several interesting ideas here though. :)

Q u o t e:
Thungdot>> I don't think it being tough has anything to do with it. If you want that kind of predictability,
Thungdot>> why not program an equipment check and drop exactly what you need - every time?

And why not, exactly? What is inherently wrong with that? Your team/group worked (sometimes hard) for an hour or two,
what's wrong with rewarding some members of your team with exactly what they need, instead of some marginal sidegrades or stupid shards?

Because if everything is predictable it might become boring in the long run? There are guaranteed rewards in the form of quest rewards, and less predictable ones in the form of drops. If you'd get exactly what you want/need all the time, and everything went exactly as expected, wouldn't that be a little dull?

Q u o t e:
What's wrong with making every trip to dungeon/instance/raid filled with rewards and excitement (even if number if those trips will be slightly smaller,
because people will gear up quicker)?

Maybe one could counter the lower number of trips with making the trips longer? That'd turn "I want a chance at it, now" to "I want it 100%, later". Won't help much if you want everything. Now! Of course.

Q u o t e:
Instead we are faced with having to run dungeons multiple times, for what essencially amounts to nothing - no reward or enjoyment whatsoever.

I disagree. I like doing instances. I can do them for the sheer enjoyment of the challenge, or just having fun with friends, not for a chance to get a cool item. It's like watching a cool film a second time, or third, or fourth...

Q u o t e:
Thungdot>> Got 7/8 of a set? Next run you will get that 8th piece, no matter what.

Great! At least some feeling of major accomplishment instead of everyday disappointment in the game.

If you're so constantly disappointed if you don't get the drops in instances, maybe try PvP for the arena sets or honour rewards? Those are based on more or less guaranteed points so you can buy what you want. Or maybe settle for not getting everything you want, as you can at least say it was a bit of bad luck, not for lack of trying. There are different systems, and I think saying one is completely wrong is simplifying a lot.

Q u o t e:
What is wrong with many players having 8/8 set? Is this against EULA or something?

What kind of silly idea is that? :p

Q u o t e:
Thungdot>> I honestly think that'd be boring, ...

I'm sorry but what you "think" is irrelevant - you are not the one paying 8,000,000 subscription fees.
I would bet that a very large portion of WoW players have very different view on this issue.

As far as I know you don't pay 8 million subscriptions either. I'm speaking as a gamer, just like you. To try discredit or dismiss me in this way is poor.

Q u o t e:
Thungdot>> ... and prefer the random chances and excitement of hoping to be lucky.

So, essentially, you are promoting gambling addiction mindset.
The same type of mindset that drives people to lose their house mortgages and their kids' college money in casinos and lotteries.

Only instead of playing roulette, WoW "addicts" waste their precious time trying to hit that elusive "jackpot epic/set piece".
Running a dungeon 60 times to complete a set? No thank you, my time is better spent elsewhere, I can play online poker to satisfy my "gambling" needs.

Hum... now you went completely off on a tangent. I'm now supporting addiction and presenting a mindset responsible for personal tragedy around the world?

FYI, most games played for enjoyment and entertainment include chance. Chess and Go being some rare exceptions (unless you draw lots for playing white - goodness forbid!) but they're more "mental sports" anyway.

I guess enjoying Yatzee made me an evil person indeed...

Q u o t e:
Bottom line? That excitement of "getting lucky" that you speak of is a fantasy, a childish delusion.
Right now I have 3 crafted epic items on my priest and I working on the 4th one, and I know that I will get it with 100% probability.
The only time I venture into dungeons is to get rep for keys or to help friends/guildies. I taught myself not to have expectations or hopes
when entering an instance. It's a mindless and useless grind, just like almost everything else in this game.

Yeah, I do love the crafted stuff. Always cool to have some neat gear waiting for you based on pure time put into it. (Yes, I do agree with you on some things too, you see.)

But, I will still go have fun in instances and be childishly delusional about maybe getting something cool from the next boss, mindless as my friends and I may be to you. And honestly, I think there's quite a few agreeing with me too. Try keep an open mind about that. Please.