Why Expertise sucks.
Expertise, as it has been stated many times, is a zero-sum arms race. Two players with 10% Expertise each resolve a fight exactly the same as two players with no Expertise at all. The only time Expertise comes into play is with differing values, the worst of which is a fresh level 50 with no Expertise suddenly placed into a Warzone with experienced 50s.
As it stands right now Expertise is an artificial barrier to enjoyment in PvP. Fresh level 50s entering Warzones are required to face geared PvP veterans who not only have more play experience, but stand with a 20% advantage in addition to any stat difference. A fresh 50 has ~12000HP and facing a Battlemaster with ~18000HP is already hard enough without dealing 10% less damage and receiving 10% more.
These players basically have to weather this frustrating transitional period, likely being excluded from PvP groups until they are able to grind enough PvP gear to stand on a somewhat even footing.
The level 50 bracket is useless.
The level 50 only bracket is a terrible and arbitrary distinction. I hate to reference Blizzard at all but I wish it was instead setup like Starcraft 2’s leagues. Players level 10-50 by default play in a novice league, while more experienced 50s are assigned to progressively higher leagues based on either their valor rank, average warzone performance or simply Expertise level.
Hard brackets are terrible for PvP participation. As players on low population servers are painfully aware a hard 50-only bracket has resulted in insane queue times for them. This problem is going to work itself out as players level up but then the inverse will become true; low-level PvP queue times will steadily increase, discouraging participation and worsening queue times further – a viscious circle.
The soft brackets implemented on release ere the best solution to this problem ever conceived, and could have worked wonders if made somewhat more aggressive.
Firstly, players should be generally grouped not by level but my Expertise rating, or league, or valor rank. Levels are nearly meaningless thanks to the awesomeness which is Bolster. The queue system needs to make its best effort to pit similar players against eachother but if this is not possible than anyone who is in the queue should get a game.
Second, the tam assignments should be much less random. I’m sure everyone has been in the PUG Huttball game where the lion’s share of level 50s are on one team. If the teams were stacked evenly the match could be much more enjoyable instead of a steamroll.
Third, performs should be pitted against other performs when possible. But again if another perform is not available the system should fall back and match them with a PUG, weighting the teams and placing stronger players on the opposing side.
Why Expertise is a necessary evil right now.
Do not get me wrong in reading this, I am a huge proponent of equality between PvE and PvP gear rewards.
As it stands right now, PvP gear rewards do not require victory to obtain. This is the sad truth, a player can get to level 50 and lose every Warzone, die a million times, never kill anyone, ignore objectives and as long as he scores one medal his valor increases and he earns commendations. Certainly, winning and performing better brings in the gear faster but inevitably anyone who does enough Warzones can reach Valor Rank 60 and earn a complete set of Battlemaster PvP gear.
This does not mesh with PvE rewards which have a distinct requirement: kill the boss. It does not matter the relative or absolute difficulty of the PvE bosses available in the game*, what matters is that the requirement is there. You cannot wipe to the boss 100 times and walk away with gear.
Thus at this time I have to admit that Expertise is a necessary evil. Until PvP systems are in place which require and reward victory a PvP stat is the best way to distinguish farmable gear.
*Personally I find PvE content easy, bugs aside I haven’t had much difficulty with hard mode raids and my group is not exceptionally geared by any means.
The ultimate goal: Gear reward equality.
Once the game has PvP systems which reward winning rather than simply participating, it opens up a wide range of possibilities.
I ultimately want to see PvP and PvE gear rewards absolutely equal in statistical value. It should not be anyone’s concern if a player from one venue of end-game progression is able to use his hard-earned rewards in the other. Remember, the gear is statistically equal! If you feel superior in your role then your skill and experience should bring you victory, not an artificial advantage.
More stats are not the only possible reward in either case. Since the game’s modding system allows for vast customization in appearance, I’d like to see distinctive gear sets introduced as rewards. There’s no reason to be restricted to one model with a texture re-color to encompass three tiers of content. Item mod sets could include unique set bonuses allowing players to customize these perks.
