Should players be allowed to inspect gear and looted items from other players?

Munkfist · February 12

Other (please describe your thoughts)

I'm opposed to inspection of my setups, moreso from a PVP perspective. If I'm testing things out and putting in the time to figure out what works for myself, I'd like to keep that to myself. PVE can already be inspected through ESO Logs, and most things are in the meta there anyways.

I don't mind people seeing what I've looted, it in no way effects me. I always link what I don't need at the end of whatever content to hand out.

JHartEllis · February 12

Yes, we should be allowed to inspect others.

I'd very much welcome an option to show.

It would be of great benefit to be able to share your build with people you trust to give constructive feedback/suggestions. There's currently very little communication on this front, and most everyone would probably make effective tweaks after a build audit. It's very easy to accidentally break builds such as not completing 5-pieces, not upgrading weapons, not slotting Champion Points, etc, and extra eyes can at least help fix obvious problems.

I would use such a feature a lot in seeking advice from guildies. It would also help a lot to ensure groups don't overlap buffs/debuffs too much.

ghastley · February 12

JHartEllis wrote: »

I'd very much welcome an option to show.

It would be of great benefit to be able to share your build with people you trust to give constructive feedback/suggestions. There's currently very little communication on this front, and most everyone would probably make effective tweaks after a build audit. It's very easy to accidentally break builds such as not completing 5-pieces, not upgrading weapons, not slotting Champion Points, etc, and extra eyes can at least help fix obvious problems.

I would use such a feature a lot in seeking advice from guildies. It would also help a lot to ensure groups don't overlap buffs/debuffs too much.

An option to show is acceptable. Others looking without you showing is what is being discussed, and I find that much less so.

Reverb · February 12

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

I do not support player inspection in ESO. In my experience, inspection makes a game community more toxic and becomes a tool to be exclusionary towards new or casual players.

Or it just becomes a barrier to game play. I remember in other games it taking longer to complete the pre-raid inspection and measuring contests than it did to actually run the raids. Let's not bring that to ESO.

Competitive, end game ESO guilds have conversations and requirements for gearing and loadouts. If you're in one of those groups, your build, and every one else's will be open and transparent. If you're not competing at that level, people's gear just doesn't matter enough to introduce that level of judgement into pugs.

If you want to know about someone’s gear or build, ask them

Rishikesa108 · February 12

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

Elitism is a common plague in MMORPG games. It is best to avoid any feature that could even remotely facilitate this behavior. Unfortunately, in some guilds it is already present. It is best not to feed it.

Elvenheart · February 13

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

I voted no, mainly due to the loot part. But I liked the idea someone had of having an account setting like “Allow gear inspection” that could be turned on or off. I’d even consider turning it on if seeing my gear choices could help others. But it annoys me to no end if someone using a reveal loot addon whispers at the end of a dungeon, “Can I have that _____ you just got?” If I get something I don’t need and I’m so inclined I’ll offer it up to the group, but if someone asks for it before I offer it I always reply, “No, sorry, it’s for my sticker book.”

Edited to add: Now, if during the dungeon run someone says, “If anyone gets any ____ they don’t need can I have it?” I don’t mind that at all and will offer up the pieces I get if I don’t need them (again, unless they somehow indicate they are using that addon, I just hate the idea of people getting to see the loot that drops for me).

Ishtarknows · February 13

Yes, we should be allowed to inspect others.

In a group setting yes, the other 3 or 11 people need to rely on you being able to fulfill your role properly. It would help in pugs to know what sets your counterpart healer/tank is wearing so you can adjust accordingly and you can check buff DDs are actually wearing the sets they signed up to use.

In PVP no. PvP is a noman's land of niche and off the beaten path builds the player wearing has researched and theory crafted. They shouldn't be doing your work for you.

Orbital78 · February 13

Personally don't really care, but I could see it being useful to kick those not ready for vet content easier. I've seen people doing 10% of the dmg and felt kind of boggled as to how. I did logs and found out they were wearing blue gear with the wrong traits, etc. It would likely lead to more new players being kicked, but it is what it is with random groups.

It could also help those new players figure out how players are doing so well, and better sets to use. Though if they cannot bother to upgrade their gear by vet queue, they probably don't care and just expect carries.

Minnesinger · February 13

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

Like many I would also like to know how a player can, for example, tank a dozen of players but then would this make the game better? The copycat builds would flood the pvp scene. Let me clear, there are no lack of guides available if you want to play the meta sets. Just hoping that that some of that knowledge is up to the original theorycrafter.

sarahthes · February 13

Yes, we should be allowed to inspect others.

I'm all for it. But I already log group finder trials on the very rare occasion I do them.

My favourite was the DPS in Bahsei/coral riptide. I was curious how they managed to cast abilities if they were playing their sets.

cyclonus11 · February 13

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

ArchMikem wrote: »

There should definitely be a consent toggle, if allowed. Bullying and belittling people based on just their gear is a thing.

I disagree that there should even be a toggle. People will still be gatekept if they have it off.

freespirit · February 13

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

I am a very anxious person in rl, I play ESO to try to escape the reasons for my anxiety.

When esologs became a thing I stayed anonymous and quickly realised that would not work as even then I could be identified!

The end result has been I now very, very rarely do any group content with other players, I only do stuff I can solo, it would mortify me if I started getting unsolicited advice on my set up.

I've already witnessed players boasting on how they kicked multiple "useless" players from groups and frankly do NOT want to see anything that would make that easier for that type of person to make snap decisions purely based on gear!

sarahthes · February 13

Yes, we should be allowed to inspect others.

freespirit wrote: »

I am a very anxious person in rl, I play ESO to try to escape the reasons for my anxiety.

When esologs became a thing I stayed anonymous and quickly realised that would not work as even then I could be identified!

The end result has been I now very, very rarely do any group content with other players, I only do stuff I can solo, it would mortify me if I started getting unsolicited advice on my set up.

I've already witnessed players boasting on how they kicked multiple "useless" players from groups and frankly do NOT want to see anything that would make that easier for that type of person to make snap decisions purely based on gear!

To be honest gear doesn't matter very much. I'd rather a cp 300 in orders wrath and some other random set who actually does a decent rotation and kills things relatively quickly while playing mechanics to someone in meta sets who only light attacks and just stands around waiting for someone else to do the mechanics.

Orbital78 · February 13

cyclonus11 wrote: »

ArchMikem wrote: »

There should definitely be a consent toggle, if allowed. Bullying and belittling people based on just their gear is a thing.

I disagree that there should even be a toggle. People will still be gatekept if they have it off.

People are going to be gatekept no matter what. It has become easier to get carried for achievements but you will quickly figure out who doesn't belong in higher levels of content.

JustLovely · February 13

Other (please describe your thoughts)

Erickson9610 wrote: »

Inspired by this thread, this poll is meant to ask the forums community whether they would like an "inspect" feature to allow other players to see what equipment you are wearing, as well as what items you loot from chests and enemies.

Note that we already do have partial support for inspecting others, via commands and addons, but it's in no way feature-complete. Would you like the ability to inspect others to be more fleshed out? Why or why not?

You combined two very different issues together that don't go together.

As far as inspecting another players builds without their permission, no, this feature should not exist.

But when it comes to seeing what other group members loot, as in from the final bosses in trials, then it's totally fine for other members of the group to view what is looted.

Additionally, there is no system in place for viewing the builds of other players without their consent. But there is already a system in place for viewing what other group members loot while grouped.

So these are two very different situations and two different questions that have two different answers.

cyclonus11 · February 13

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

Orbital78 wrote: »

cyclonus11 wrote: »

ArchMikem wrote: »

There should definitely be a consent toggle, if allowed. Bullying and belittling people based on just their gear is a thing.

I disagree that there should even be a toggle. People will still be gatekept if they have it off.

People are going to be gatekept no matter what. It has become easier to get carried for achievements but you will quickly figure out who doesn't belong in higher levels of content.

Not like that, though. I recall other games where guilds or raid groups required the inspection toggle to be on all the time, or you were kicked from the guild or group. There's nothing quite extreme like that now in this game.

I think having no inspection option makes this game unique and better than other MMOs that have inspection features (toggleable or not).

Morvan · February 13

Yes, we should be allowed to inspect others.

You can already inspect builds by logging encounters, so I see no harm in it.

People who are worried about getting gatekept, I can assure you, if someone wants to gatekeep you from content, they don't need an inspect feature to do that at all.

tomofhyrule · February 13

I can’t really answer since I don’t have a strong opinion one way or the other.

I see how inspecting gear can feel like an invasion of privacy, but I’m also the kind of person who will share if I am asked (and I also only really have one sweaty character and the rest of mine are in meme builds based on a specific theme). If someone wants my werewolf’s build, feel free (Blood Moon, Savage Werewolf, and Selene) but don’t expect it to be good at all. Fun though? Oh yes.

As for the loot, I don’t personally like someone popping in with a “can i haz” before I even saw what I got myself. If someone asks “looking for X,” sure I’ll offer, but the demand makes it skeevy. I also don’t want to have that addon myself because I don’t want to see that someone got the piece I desperately need for a prog group and isn’t offering it, despite the fact that they don’t actually need it for anything but stickerbook. But I also run with some high-level groups to farm things, and they expect farmers to run the addon and ask, because most people are farming weapons and the chat box gets swamped with hundreds of armor pieces so it’s not clear who has or needs what.

JiubLeRepenti · February 13

Yes, we should be allowed to inspect others.

I don't think other players "should" be able to see teammates' loots (or at least I wouldn't set it as an obligation).

But on the other hand, I've always been perfectly fine with the fact of giving pieces I looted to other mates (even in vet trials and those I don't have in my collection, as long as I don't need them ofc). Even when they were directly asking for it by using the addon that shows what you get.

I know how painful it can be to farm instances to get some sets pieces. I also remember how painful it was before the change brought to RNG. In the past, you could do Arx Corinium hundreds of times before looting the Medusa inferno staff.

So yeah, remembering this, I'm always fine with helping other mates to complete their collection if I can.

Elvenheart · February 13

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

JustLovely wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

Inspired by this thread, this poll is meant to ask the forums community whether they would like an "inspect" feature to allow other players to see what equipment you are wearing, as well as what items you loot from chests and enemies.

Note that we already do have partial support for inspecting others, via commands and addons, but it's in no way feature-complete. Would you like the ability to inspect others to be more fleshed out? Why or why not?

You combined two very different issues together that don't go together.

As far as inspecting another players builds without their permission, no, this feature should not exist.

But when it comes to seeing what other group members loot, as in from the final bosses in trials, then it's totally fine for other members of the group to view what is looted.

Additionally, there is no system in place for viewing the builds of other players without their consent. But there is already a system in place for viewing what other group members loot while grouped.

So these are two very different situations and two different questions that have two different answers.

I don’t think it’s anyone else’s business what loot drops for me, just as I can care less what drops for anyone else.

Bobargus · February 14

Yes, we should be allowed to inspect others.

Grizzbeorn wrote: »

Bobargus wrote: »

The idea is invasive, to be sure, but it would also make it easier to get reference from other players in terms of making a build.

Because asking them is so hard.

I don't want to communicate with other players, just to be able to learn how their build works.

Cirran · February 14

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

I voted no, how I choose to equip my character is none of your business. BUT I could get behind an inspection option if there was a nominal fee to use it. Say something like 100,000 gold per use paid to the person being inspected. This should apply to all mods/loggers that give any information about your character to another player/account or requests for said information.

opalcity · February 14

Other (please describe your thoughts)

Picked OTHER because gear maybe but items, no. Played an mmo where gear inspection was standard and the only messages I got about gear were cosmetic.

Loot inspection feels petty

OsUfi · February 14

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

Hard no. I hate that loot inspection add on, if I want to share, I'll offer. I've seen it cause arguments enough times.

I run permanently off meta. Can happily solo darn near all world bosses in the game, and most 4 man dungeons. I won't to be railroaded into running meta in pugs. And don't tell me that never happened in WoW or EQ, cause it used to pop up on the MMO reddits enough.

anadandy · February 14

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

Bobargus wrote: »

Grizzbeorn wrote: »

Bobargus wrote: »

The idea is invasive, to be sure, but it would also make it easier to get reference from other players in terms of making a build.

Because asking them is so hard.

I don't want to communicate with other players, just to be able to learn how their build works.

And some people don't want to share a build or look they put effort into. If a player doesn't want to do their own homework, the least they can do is ask.

Arcturus · February 14

Other (please describe your thoughts)

Enable the ability to inspect other players, while also providing an option in the menu to disable this feature. By default, the option to refuse inspection should be enabled.

Artim_X · February 14

I say other because of the wording including the concept of looting, which I absolutely disagree with.

Other than that. Peeping should be permitted. I like @Arcturus 's suggestion of it being optional and set to refuse inspection by default. In this way, people who don't mind showing what they are doing don't have to type an essay in chat when asked.

valenwood_vegan · February 14

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

It would be cool to have an easy means to optionally share my build with others, but I'm not into the whole elitism aspect of mmo's and don't want people looking at my build to gatekeep or insult me. I tend to come up with my own builds and run things that aren't meta but that work for me and I'm absolutely not interested in having others critique them.

I also don't necessarily want to share them with everyone I meet, as I've often put in a lot of time and research on my own and I don't want my build to become the next big thing and face zos' nerf hammer. There are more than enough streamers and content creators sharing builds if people want to follow the pack.

If I'm ever actually playing at the level of sweatiness where it's an issue though, I would of course share and communicate with my group.

I really dislike the loot addon too... I always offer gear I don't need at the end of a run, but I'm not into the obnoxious GIMME GIMME GIMME messages that the addon can lead to, which do not actually encourage me to offer up the gear.

This is all of course from a pve perspective, and I can't really speak to the need or usefulness of an inspection feature in pvp.

katanagirl1 · February 14

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

So there really are 3 different things being asked in this poll:

1. Loot addon
2. PvE gear inspect
3. PvP gear inspect

We don’t have #1 on console, thankfully. Most players would not mind sharing their PvE build (general statement, sure there will be some who don’t). PvE is not competitive, in groups you are working with others towards a common goal. In PvP, you are competing. This is a good point someone added above that I wanted to highlight. Inspection mode of PvP gear takes away some of the advantage of having a good build versus a not so good build. I don’t see how in any way that could be described as fair.

Rishikesa108 · February 14

No, others should not be allowed to inspect us.

Guilds often force guild members to allow an inspection via ESO Log. Especially during guild trials. This can be very helpful, however some elitist guilds may also kick members who do not have the desired gear.