I think this is the sticking point of your argument, though. Some people don’t believe this is fair enough. As pointed out above, we know someone who seems to have shit luck with random rolls.

…I’m surprised that your coders didn’t seed their algorithm off the system clock or something.

Changing the seed doesn’t matter if the algorithm spits out strings of numbers anyway. I suspect the algorithm was flawed, even though it probably was implemented from a well-known theory; the programmers gave quite a few talks about random numbers prior to releasing the libarary, so they knew their theory at least. I’m just pointing out that game RNGs aren’t always fair.

Another example is the other night in LotRO. I won three items from one loot chest with the roll of 94. Even assuming that LotRO’s RNG is completely fair, patterns like that still get people griping.

Ultimately, I think the most “fair” system I’ve seen used was the Ni Karma system. It uses accumulated points like DKP with a random element to keep it interesting. It requires some history (like a raid group) and bookkeeping, but if you really want something you can save up for it and pretty much be guaranteed the item eventually.

Having said that, the maths of pseudo-RNG are fairly well understood, and I’m surprised that your coders didn’t seed their algorithm off the system clock or something.

In theory, a truly random system might be fair all other things being equal. But, the reality is that its not. Of course, all things aren’t equal. Not to mention that all other things are not equal and that “fair” is a highly subjective term.

Anyway, just throwing out my thoughts a day or two late.

I would act differently, but I don’t think that being more considerate to the guildies automatically means you’re inconsiderate to the PUG guys … unless of course they were expecting to be treated like guildies, which is probably not a correct expectation.

Would you roll against them? Is that less inconsiderate?

SCNR

It was meant as friendly advice actually.

And yes, this was my loot philosophy from before I started playing WoW. Just with friends or guildies we do pass for main specs and main characters.

Since when?:o The fact that 80% of people do it for badges does not mean not one single person will want a drop.

“It’s fair. Everyone who rolls has the same chance to win. ”

Addendum: If they have a right to roll. You tank, you have right to roll on stam trinket but not the SP trinket. You are caster? vice versa.

“the global benefits of encouraging more people to queue as multiple roles are just too high.”

Try telling about global benefit to the guy who lost the roll on his drop for the Nth time. Getting guild runs for old instances doesnt always work. There is no ‘big picture’ in PUGS, no ‘global benefit’ or ‘common good’…

“why should I pretend that my character has half of it’s actual potential just to make you feel better?”

It’s not pretending, it’s the hard truth, and you take full responsibility for the good and the bad part of it, just like everyone else. Go as your “overpowered self” and just accept the good, blame it on RNG, everyone else be damned.

“Consider raising some cash and getting crafted boots made”

Telling people what to do is tyranny. Making assumptions does not justify anything. What you ‘personally’ would do has no bearing whatsoever on what someone else should do. Least of all justify rolling for OS before MS. This does very little to help new lvl80′s and much more harm.
Was this your loot philosophy when you hit 80? Or is this only in effect since you don’t need anything from 5mans (only for offspec)?

RNG does not equal common sense or courtesy. Overall I am very disturbed by this loot philosphy, you are basicly saying
“loot is 100% FFA in PUGs, no matter the role you play”
“5man loot can either be aquired reliably via guild runs, or not aquired at all”