Reason on Cooldown

I've had this idea for a MF replacement for a while.

Add 2 or 3 new "accessory" slots on the character that take what I call "tracking" and "recovery" gear.  Tracking gear would help you locate where better drops are, and recovery is sort of like MF where it increases your odds of looting it.  You probably wouldn't see these types of accessories drop until later (level 30+ maybe?), and low level drops would be pretty basic.  But at higher levels, not only do you get better tracking and recovery drops, but you can also craft more specialized gear.  Either through a new crafting profession, or through Forge recipes, or both.  The ideal being at high level you can start getting really specific with what you are trying to get in loot.  There would be some tradeoffs, for example you can build gear that gives a HIGH % to find and recover rare/exo heavy armor, or you can trade the higher % to specify exo helms.  Even building for certain stat allocations, like Zerker, or Knights.  The ultimate being building gear for tracking down lodestones or better yet precursors.

I envision tracking gear to somehow lead you toward enemies, or locations, or dungeons, or even specific bosses that drop the gear/items you're looking for.  Not sure how the interface would work for that.  But you need the recovery gear in order to boost your odds of getting the drop you're tracking.

The point is that tracking and recovery gear is something you can be building toward all game as you level, or even customizing or "respeccing" at max level.  Making looting all part of the game rather than an RNG crap shoot.  And there are decisions you can make to alter the outcome.  Maybe you go full tracking set and hone in on the bosses that have your gear, but suffer the lower RNG farming to get it to drop.  Or you go pure recovery, which sort of devolves back into MF.  Better drops, but totally random.  And higher level tracking and recover gear can perhaps have multiple upgrade slots which allow you to customize your looting "build."

I hoped I am clearly conveying this idea.  I think it could make looting a game-long process that is both fun yet gives the player control, rather than some loot table and RNG conspiring against you at every turn (yeah, I'm talking to YOU Zommoros!!!). lol

Rumstein, on 25 April 2013 - 09:51 PM, said:

Thanks, I had never heard that confirmed for the 10 recipe.  But greater trials does yield a result closer to the average, and less prone to streaks.  Which is why I had to repeatedly smack my nose with a newspaper to prevent me from every trying the 10 recipe.

I, on 25 April 2013 - 07:28 PM, said:

I think it has been statistically proven that going to single recipe route is better.  I went the single route, and while I did it in batches, so I don't have the final numbers, I was seeing a 1 in 3 chance of getting a clover.

I'm sure the 10 recipe route has a much lower chance of getting a hit, since you get more clovers per.  Bigger risk for bigger reward.

The current set of Ascended gear is easy, because they don't have to design the skins (except the back piece).  If they do release Ascended armor and weapons, players will probably set the bar pretty high for what they expect w.r.t. appearance.

I'm really hoping for a precursor scavenger hunt.  I loved the hunt for the Mad King book back piece.  The Lost Shores one was entertaining too, when it wasn't bugged.  I have the luxury to wait, as I am still gathering tons of mats.  Only just recently got my clovers.

I tried running to Orr.  Although I was like 36-38 at the time.  And didn't even really know what Orr WAS other than the end game area.  I only made it as far as Brassburn Torch.  And for the longest time I was stuck at Lone Post, through several Risen attack events (thank goodness for tons of people being there).  After that, I had no idea what the safest path was, or even where I was going.  But I only died a couple of times, and I believe it was all waypoint rezzes......at Lone Post.  I did get the JP there.  And while I was disappointed not to get the the final zone.......technically I DID make it to Orr, which was my goal.

Reminds me of the time I got all the flight paths in Eastern Kingdoms in WoW.  Also in the 30s, BEFORE they moved mounts back from level 40.  I did have a little assist in the Eastern Plaguelands though.

Nice to know others are entertained by pointless diversions like I am.