To whom it may concern,

Throughout my time as a gamer, I have come across many different styles of loot mechanics. Often times, either you must fight over loot, or you can relax and get your 'fair share'. In The Elder Scrolls Online, it is a combination of both. The reason behind this is because: you fight over mobs, not loot; you must, in general, pull your weight to get a chance at having any loot. Many times, have I come across people KSing, controlling spawns, and camping bosses; leaving nothing to those who truly need it (whether it be their first time in the area, or it be for a quest).

I will not act as if I know exactly how the loot is truly distributed, however, this is how it appears to me -- in general, that is. First off, one must do a significant amount of damage to gain a chance at any loot that is more than just a spare coin. Secondly, in areas that are group instances, damage is no longer a prominent factor in loot distribution. Finally, it is easier to have a drop -- even without damaging the enemy-- if you are in a group, and they get the kill.

This may be completely wrong, but one must see it from everyone's perspective until the system can be truly debunked. My most recent perspective, in ESO, is the healer. As a Breton Templar using a bow (solo) and a restoration staff (group), I find my chances of even getting loot quite... unstable, to say the least. While soloing, my DPS build is by far enough to kite a boss and its ADDs, and in doing so I can aquire vast amounts of loot in a short, and painless, time. This is not the case while I am helping my friends, and the community. Because I am not doing damage, I am not given the drops of which I, most graciously, deserve. My most recent experience with this was helping a group of DPS archers at the Maormer Camp (located on the North Western coast of Greenshade). It was my first time there, and I realized that they would not be able to survive without a healer. I made an executive decision and put away my bow to make sure we would have no casualties. In doing this, I gained an achievement, recognition of beating the boss, but no loot whatsoever, not even a gold piece. I was left with nothing, asking to do it again so I could perhaps do a couple heavy attacks to have a chance at the loot, but the group was disbanded and I was left alone. Perhaps, my goal of helping others as much as possible, is nothing more than childish aspiration in a world such as today?

First and foremost, I am a templar; I take pride in my restoration abilities and try to help out as much as I possibly can. Throughout many games, I choose to play as a healer to help give the group survivability. In ESO, this is very difficult. Healers lack any direct healing abilities, wasting magicka on AOE heals and instant heals, that have a chance to go to the right person. We go through magicka potions like a Khajiit trying to get its fix. When we go through such troubles, just to help our group, isn't that deserving of some new gear, or possibly a couple coins? I believe that damage is a good way to determine whether or not you get loot. However, I feel strongly that helping people, is even more so important. Healing someone should be just as much as a consideration for loot, as damage.

Yours Truly,
NAPrice