#0 - June 15, 2010, 12:13 p.m.
Ninja everything and Selling VOA loots... without telling us something is reserved.
What does Blizzard think of this?
Q u o t e:
This setting will place full control over loot distribution into the hands of one player within the group, known as a Master Looter. The Master Looter will possess the permission to assign any item that drops within an instance (that's equal to or above the looting threshold) to any eligible player in the group.
Q u o t e:
What is Blizzard Entertainment's stance on "ninja looting" within the World of Warcraft?
"Ninja looting" is a common term used within many massively-multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) to describe the act of looting items from corpses, chests, and the game environment without permission.
This term predates World of Warcraft by many years, and was originally coined in virtual worlds that did not possess the same looting mechanics that are available in-game today. Because of how loot dropped in these other worlds, frequently in the form of free-for-all chests on the ground, it was possible for players to loot items they did not personally help generate. Stealing loot in this manner often required speed and subtlety, so the title "loot ninja" was born.
The World of Warcraft looting system was specifically designed so this sort of item theft cannot occur. In order for a player to loot an item, he or she must contribute to the corresponding kill or be a part of the group responsible for it. Players who do not meet these requirements will be ineligible for any loot that drops. As a result, players are only able to loot items they are entitled to own; they cannot "ninja" or steal loot directly from other players.
What if I disagree with the way loot is distributed? Isn't that ninja looting?
No. Such disagreements are considered looting disputes, not ninja looting. A looting dispute occurs when a player loots an item for which he or she is eligible, but in doing so, goes against social looting practices (Main Spec > Off Spec, upgrades only, etc). While some looting disputes may be a social faux pas and can tarnish a player's reputation, they are not a violation of any in-game rule. Scams, however, are a violation, and may occasionally accompany a looting dispute.
Okay, so scamming is against the rules…what exactly is a scam?
In terms of loot, making and then breaking a clear in-game agreement on the way loot will be distributed by a Master Looter can be considered a scam. Unfortunately, some players will make loot agreements they have no intention of keeping to get players to join a dungeon or raid group. In these situations, players who disregard the original agreement and then take (or give away) loot in a different way are potentially violating our Scam Policy. If you believe you have been scammed, please contact In-Game Support.
Please note that if In-Game Support is able to determine a scam has taken place after a clear in-game loot distribution agreement is made, any items involved may be removed from their current owners. In cases where a "rightful" owner can be proven, these items may also be transferred; however, loot will be left unassigned if a "rightful" owner cannot be identified. Due to the privacy associated with these investigations, In-Game Support will be unable to release details regarding an investigation's findings, actions taken, or its final outcome.
* A clear in-game agreement indicates that loot rules are fully defined. Partial agreements that do that wholly explain how loot will be distributed may prevent In-Game Support from assisting. If using Master Looter, please be sure to clarify with your raid group whether or not any items are reserved, what (if any) restrictions will be placed on rolls based on class specializations, and how winners of open rolls will be selected.