and you gotta l ove it doing that. best part about this update. Thanks OQ team
Not OQ's problem. But here is food for thought on Blizz's standpoint stright from the GM.
Hi there,
Thanks for sending this to me, and I do apologize for the delay in response. Our email system goes through some pretty extensive anti-virus checks, which can cause delays in them fully reaching us. I currently work a morning shift, so by the time your email reached us I was already out for the end of my day.
Loot disputes are never fun, and we understand that. We are all gamers ourselves here, and know how frustrating it can be to feel like someone is getting away with a scam. To this end, we do investigate each and every report of scamming, and take all appropriate actions we can.
When it comes to loot scams like this, there are several factors that come into play. Our developers have implemented several different looting methods (which can be read about here: http://wowpedia.org/Party#Looting) to try and make address all possible outcomes the best we can to avoid potential abuse and exploitation. To this end, Master Looter was never designed to be used in PuG groups, but more guild runs/running with friends. Using it in a pug is a risk of all party members, which is why you don't see this looting method in the Dungeon Finder or LFR tools.
On the topic of the "silent agreement" to Master Looter - with the changes to how lockouts function, and the move to being boss to boss, this is basically true. When the looting method is switched (which will not take effect if done during a fight), it notifies all members of the party. By continuing the raid after this notification, each individual is agreeing to the new rules - if you do not agree, leave the instance. You will retain your ability to kill later bosses for Normal mode raids, and be eligible for loot.
When joining a pug, it is the responsibility of each individual raid member to be sure of the looting methods/loot rules that are being used. MS > OS is not an acceptable loot rule for us to take action on, and this is for a variety of reasons. As a basic piece, who determines what your main spec is? Many players would say its what you are raiding as. However, just as many players will state how they have had times where they were asked to switch specs for XYZ boss or raid - does this make their alternate spec now their main spec? Why? Too many variables here, so this rule alone is simply not enough for us to make a judgement call on. You can read up on our stance on ninja looting here: https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/ninja-looting-blizzard-s-stance
As to the scam itself for your issue - we have investigated the scam, and the appropriate actions have been taken. Due to privacy concerns, we will be unable to state what those actions are, but you can read up on our penalties here: https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/warnings-suspensions-and-closures.
Redistributing loot - given all the variables involved, even if a scam has been found, we will not redistribute loot. I completely understand how you can feel its warranted, and you have sufficient evidence to back that up. However, due to the nature of the variables involved, and the impact that it can have to the other raid members/community as a whole, we will not redistribute loot without it meeting very specific criteria. This is also called out in the Ninja Looting - Blizzards Stance article, with listing "loot removed during a scam investigation will typically be left unassigned."
While I know that this may not have been the answer you were looking for, I do hope it helps shed some light on our stance. In parting, here's some tips from the above page:
To minimize the risk of looting disputes:
Understand how each loot setting in the game works. This will ensure the group uses the most compatible setting.
Be attentive when you join a new dungeon or raid group. Many times, players who believe they have been scammed simply missed or misinterpreted the looting rules or expectations set forth by the group Leader.
Verify the loot setting selected by the group Leader when you join a new group or raid. Discuss any concerns with your group members and clarify what additional loot rules may apply. If the conversation leaves you uncomfortable or confused, decline the invitation or leave the group.
Group with players you trust whenever possible. If you aren't ready to trust the other players yet, Master Loot and Free-for-All aren't the right loot settings for you.
Regards,
Robert W.
Supervisor
Customer Services
Blizzard Entertainment
Hi there,
Thanks for sending this to me, and I do apologize for the delay in response. Our email system goes through some pretty extensive anti-virus checks, which can cause delays in them fully reaching us. I currently work a morning shift, so by the time your email reached us I was already out for the end of my day.
Loot disputes are never fun, and we understand that. We are all gamers ourselves here, and know how frustrating it can be to feel like someone is getting away with a scam. To this end, we do investigate each and every report of scamming, and take all appropriate actions we can.
When it comes to loot scams like this, there are several factors that come into play. Our developers have implemented several different looting methods (which can be read about here: http://wowpedia.org/Party#Looting) to try and make address all possible outcomes the best we can to avoid potential abuse and exploitation. To this end, Master Looter was never designed to be used in PuG groups, but more guild runs/running with friends. Using it in a pug is a risk of all party members, which is why you don't see this looting method in the Dungeon Finder or LFR tools.
On the topic of the "silent agreement" to Master Looter - with the changes to how lockouts function, and the move to being boss to boss, this is basically true. When the looting method is switched (which will not take effect if done during a fight), it notifies all members of the party. By continuing the raid after this notification, each individual is agreeing to the new rules - if you do not agree, leave the instance. You will retain your ability to kill later bosses for Normal mode raids, and be eligible for loot.
When joining a pug, it is the responsibility of each individual raid member to be sure of the looting methods/loot rules that are being used. MS > OS is not an acceptable loot rule for us to take action on, and this is for a variety of reasons. As a basic piece, who determines what your main spec is? Many players would say its what you are raiding as. However, just as many players will state how they have had times where they were asked to switch specs for XYZ boss or raid - does this make their alternate spec now their main spec? Why? Too many variables here, so this rule alone is simply not enough for us to make a judgement call on. You can read up on our stance on ninja looting here: https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/ninja-looting-blizzard-s-stance
As to the scam itself for your issue - we have investigated the scam, and the appropriate actions have been taken. Due to privacy concerns, we will be unable to state what those actions are, but you can read up on our penalties here: https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/warnings-suspensions-and-closures.
Redistributing loot - given all the variables involved, even if a scam has been found, we will not redistribute loot. I completely understand how you can feel its warranted, and you have sufficient evidence to back that up. However, due to the nature of the variables involved, and the impact that it can have to the other raid members/community as a whole, we will not redistribute loot without it meeting very specific criteria. This is also called out in the Ninja Looting - Blizzards Stance article, with listing "loot removed during a scam investigation will typically be left unassigned."
While I know that this may not have been the answer you were looking for, I do hope it helps shed some light on our stance. In parting, here's some tips from the above page:
To minimize the risk of looting disputes:
Understand how each loot setting in the game works. This will ensure the group uses the most compatible setting.
Be attentive when you join a new dungeon or raid group. Many times, players who believe they have been scammed simply missed or misinterpreted the looting rules or expectations set forth by the group Leader.
Verify the loot setting selected by the group Leader when you join a new group or raid. Discuss any concerns with your group members and clarify what additional loot rules may apply. If the conversation leaves you uncomfortable or confused, decline the invitation or leave the group.
Group with players you trust whenever possible. If you aren't ready to trust the other players yet, Master Loot and Free-for-All aren't the right loot settings for you.
Regards,
Robert W.
Supervisor
Customer Services
Blizzard Entertainment