Spawn Time vs. Drop Rate (Controlling item distribution)

[Irondude]

If you had 3 hours, and had to pick between killing a named monster 12 times with a 1% drop rate, or killing a named monster 1 time with a 12% drop rate, which is more "fun" and rewarding for your time?

I would rather spend my time on the battle than on a room full of other players all jumping at the claim button. I also think low drop rates, build a bond between players who want the same item. You are more likely to party because the faster you kill the NM the better your odds in that time period to see the drop. Better to see it drop and someone else get the item than to never see it drop.

If you consider yourself a "hardcore" player you should be in favor of low spawn times and low drop rates. This doesn't increase your odds of getting the drop, it evens out the time vs item drop on a graph so that you can be assured that if you spend the time, you will get the drop. It removes the extremes.

I would say that it is less stressful, some would say i'ts less exciting. But now we are just arguing semantics!

[Cairdeas]

12 Times at 1%

[Rydin]

If you consider yourself a "hardcore" player you should be in favor of low spawn times and low drop rates.

Some people do like to feel the "burn" don't they.... hahaha...
I've ever though of this, it is an interesting scenario.... hmmmm.... I guess 12 times, 1%...
Think about all that can go wrong in a MOB that takes 3 hours

[Kallera]

I would say that it is less stressful, some would say i'ts less exciting. But now we are just arguing semantics!

But Irondude, Semantics is what fills the threads with posts!

Throw me with the 12 mobs with 1%. though that had better be the sweetest 1% I'd ever see!

[Irondude]

I kind of think this is the same logic as 401k vs lottery tickets. Both WILL inevitably pay out. but lottery tickets have a much higher variability on when.

[Sorel]

12 Battles @ 1%.

Reasoning: If it's one battle, I have no choice but to try and claim the drop for myself even in a party of friends because of the time investment (3 hours). In 12 fifteen-minute battles, I have less time invested per battle, so if the drop does come I'm more inclined to pass it to a fellow party member. Also, if I do get the drop, I'm more inclined to stay afterwards for a few more battles to help others, because the battles are relatively short.

[Cairdeas]

12 Battles @ 1%.

Reasoning: If it's one battle, I have no choice but to try and claim the drop for myself even in a party of friends because of the time investment (3 hours). In 12 fifteen-minute battles, I have less time invested per battle, so if the drop does come I'm more inclined to pass it to a fellow party member. Also, if I do get the drop, I'm more inclined to stay afterwards for a few more battles to help others, because the battles are relatively short.

More then once I was in a group of 4 or 5 people camping LL for the drop. One person would get a drop then leave and log off because they couldn't stay for 3 hours.

[Irondude]

yeah but what if it was 3 minutes

[Rydin]

Also even at 1% drop rate.. it is possible (Although highly improbable) to get 12 drops....
Even though that is not likely, you at least have a chance of getting multiple drops

[Irondude]

now THAT is something I did not consider. Very good point.