I agree. We're nitpicking the details. But, it does happen. And even if every player in the game has only seen it happen only 1 or 2 times, it's happened more than I care to think. So, the point of this discussion is to protect those it will happen to next.

In all cases, the person doing the dirty deed is the one NEEDing for reasons others might not consider right (is there any question that it's acceptable to click NEED for your own PC? I would hope not. Is there any question that it's acceptable to click NEED for your companions? There is question). So, maybe those who are clicking NEED for anything other than their own PC would want to clarify that out of respect for those who might get surprised by the unexpected NEED...?

How could someone only be thinking about themselves in this case? Did he say, the loot goes to me 100% of the time? He is simply stating we should all follow a simple set of rules when it comes to loot drops. If everyone follows these rules, nobody is thinking about themselves...they're all thinking about each other. If we allow ourselves to click NEED on whatever we want, then we will be thinking about ourselves and (here comes the problem) some people will use this to their advantage and *only* think about themselves and NEED recklessly. This is the part we are trying to eliminate. The problem with allowing people to NEED whenever they decide they NEED is that we cannot police it. People will make up excuses for whatever they want. I'm not saying you do, or anyone in this thread does...but PEOPLE WILL. You guys are wrongly accusing our way of using the system as though we are "claiming" items for ourselves. This is simply not true. We are only saying that if we abide by a set of rules, we can help eliminate the selfish nature of those who will act as such. If any particular item goes "only" to that particular class, then nobody is being selfish or greedy or acting entitled to, etc. The system simply drops a random item and if that item is for your class, you win. How could that possibly be less fair then letting people decide for themselves what they want to NEED on? I know you know there are a LOT of immoral people out there who will abuse the system and refuse to abide by any rules. And for the record, there are exceptions to every rule...if someone wants to step in and say hey, I could use this too...or, hey I haven't got a drop yet and my companion can use this, I'm going to NEED, then fine!

Why not have missions that directly involve your ship? Not space missions as they are, but imaging helping an npc get off planet for some reason (ie. han transporting luke from tatooine). I'd just like to see our ships be more "out there" and integrated into some of the missions (or flashpoints) that players can be involved in as a group. As they are now, it's like a little secret. I have a spaceship, but nobody can see it. And all they're really used for is travel (again, not counting space missions).

Fairness does not always = equality. That's unfortunate, but that's the truth. In the situation above, I believe things were being fair. Who's to say you wouldn't be on the other end of the stick the next time around? And why did you cave? Because you felt entitled to some eq? Not trying to be rude here, but those are the terms you've placed on us... The way I see it, the system is completely random. If +aim drops, you click NEED if you're BH or Trooper. If you're feeling on the outs because the randomness hasn't dropped your +strength boots, so what? You deal with it. At least you're not caving in and "ripping someone else off". The next time you get in a group, maybe you'll be the one with the luck. How can you claim nobody has entitlement to any piece of eq and fall back on an argument that is clearly indicating you feel entitled to eq. I simply must have misunderstood your post. Maybe you're looking at this from a different angle than me...but, the way I see it, the system drops a certain piece of eq meant for a specific class. Before that item dropped, the system decided completely randomly what type of item it would be. You might not think it's fair that it's an item designed for a Smuggler (since you're a Knight). But, fair doesn't necessarily mean equal in this case, because ya...I've been burned out of eq because it wasn't +aim for my Trooper quite often. Such is life. There have been occasions +aim has dropped plentiful and the team actually passed on items over and over. Some of this stuff was good stuff too. You win some, you lose some. And nobody is taking advantage of anyone. It's random. It's simple. Nobody clicks NEED unless it's for their main character, or you have a reason that is clearly brought up to the group before you click NEED. That's fair. That's respectful. And that's the way I see it. If any of this makes you upset or you disagree with...keep in mind, we're probably fighting (mostly) for the same thing. And I would not be opposed to someone clicking NEED on eq that wasn't for their class if they said something up front, like "hey nothing is dropping for me, you guys mind if I take this one?". But, clicking NEED at any time for companions (or basically whatever reason, because people will justify it any way they want to) I do not agree with. The only way to police the system is if there's a way to keep players in check. NEEDing for characters class only is the only way to keep that in check.

The way the system is implemented, it's completely fair. Drops are random. If you'd rather it just be a random drop directly to the 2 players in question, just say so. I think everyone would agree that is fair as well.

You obviously don't if you think they were meaningless.

Ok, we're really stretching things here. Do you use a companion 100% of the time in game? Do you ever use more than 1 companion at a time?

What bias? nvm, I know what you're getting at...yet I disagree. Allowing people to roll NEED for companions gives different classes more opportunity to use it as an excuse to roll NEED.

How is this fact? I thought the companion system brought about more unequality to the loot system in regards to who should be allowed to roll on what (assuming we're all rolling NEED for our companions).

Can you also let us know if you think it's fair that Troopers have much fewer opportunities to roll NEED for their companions compared to other classes?

Why don't you give us the reasons for all three buttons to help us understand why you're fighting to keep them. Maybe this will clear up some of the confusion...

Ok, you should stop right there with the assumptions. I did not state I do not want this loot. I may have clicked GREED, if that's what you're thinking. But, if clicking GREED means I am stating I don't want loot, then you just solidified my point about the system and how you're using it. NEED should not be the only way to "state" I want a chance at getting the item. NEED is not there to be used most of the time. NEED is there when you want to trump your fellow teammates. If you see at any other way, then it really should just be turned into NEED/PASS. Then everyone would simply NEED and only PASS when they don't really care. GREED just seems pointless in your reasoning.

So, it really is just sounding like the system isn't doing anything for you. Removing it completely and making it 100% random would do the exact same thing you've described above (and eliminate the possibility of someone using it for immoral reasons). That would be fine, but we are discussing the system as it is right now and what it's there for. And I don't believe it's there to be a fancied up randomizer. The thing is, the only people who are not getting "more" loot are the ones who are using NEED with some consideration of others. This is the difference. And quite frankly, this is why I believe the system is there. Otherwise, we go to randomness, which fits your Q&A just perfectly.

Actually, it's more like: 1) Gimme a chance 2) Let the other players decide if I have a chance 3) Don't want

The issue here is that the NEED button *FORCES* anyone who hasn't also clicked NEED to PASS and completely eliminates their "chances" of getting the item. This makes the GREED button useless and completely eliminates the usefulness of the system.

I haven't slighted nobody. It's amazing how you guys get so defensive over this discussion and now I'm throwing insults? Ya... Pointless spam is your opinion. If you don't care to try and understand my side of the situation, then that's your prerogative.

Totally agreed. It's just the manner in which some people go about using that NEED button that causes problems.

No need to start getting feisty. If you have an argument, you can state it without throwing insults out

I don't think you followed my line of reasoning. Maybe I wasn't clear. In any case... It has happened in a group I was in. Nobody said a word about it. But, I felt bad for the person who actually could have used it (not counting companions)...hadn't won on any eq yet, unlike the rest of us...and this other guy clicked NEED after everyone else rolled (two of us actually passed for that guy, too).

This is at the heart of the issue. Each character has a different set of companions that may need a more/less diverse set of equipment. If we extend the NEED to our companions, then each player will be NEEDing in an unequal manner. The main reason I'm arguing against NEEDing for companions is because it breaks the balance of drop rate distribution. But, also because I do feel it benefits any given player more if they can use the eq specifically on their main character (not a companion).

Not possible if the other players are holding out. People don't always click NEED on everything (in fact, they don't) until it really matters. Then it's too late. Or, did you not realize that? It's possible to do exactly what I just said...and thus, be labeled as a ninja. Sorry bro. Don't get defensive over it.

Too late, you already lost a great piece of EQ! On to the next group who may (or may not) play that way as well...

With the way companions are (we have 5 of them, right?)...you sure it wouldn't? Perhaps, it should. Because, at that point, we'll have many more people clicking NEED than GREED...so, it would be just as good (better, even) to revert back to a GREED/PASS system only. The bottom line is this: Take away the ambiguity of the system so nobody can "ninja" (whatever you want to call it) anything and all would be good. There's no misconception as to how to use the buttons and everyone wins (actually some win more than others - but it evens out)

So, you'll be happy to group with 3 other players who roll NEED on every item that pops up? That's basically what you just said. Then why not just make it a NEED/PASS system