Hey baby - nice loot

I've been in my current guild for about six months, and although they are a little hardcore for me (saying "let's cut the chatter" on vent just raises my hackles) the loot rules, at least, seem pretty approachable and straightforward.

We roll for loot. Simple, no?

You can roll on whatever you like for the spec you are currently using in the raid... and if no main spec wants the gear, off spec can roll for it. So I can't roll on that sweet dps sword for my pathetic dps spec unless none of the actual dps-ing players want it.

And that's how we /roll.

But a few days ago someone caused a bunch of drama by insisting that he be allowed to roll on a piece for his off spec. This caused no end of drama - especially when he finally won the stupid bracers and then said "oh, this actually isn't an upgrade for me."

Now the officers (and that includes Girly Pally) are discussing changing the loot system. I'm not familiar with many other loot distribution systems, but we're discussing a points system. You are given points for things like raid attendance, and then you can spend these points on loot.

I've got a friend in one of the top guilds on our server, and not only do they use a point system - he had to be an active, raiding member of the guild for two weeks before he even started accumulating points. Two weeks! That's months in WoW time!!

I can see how a points system would have its perks - but I can also see some major drawbacks. First, I don't think it would resolve the initial problem. If people are going to be jerks, they'll just throw a fit about using their points for their off spec instead of throwing a fit about rolling for their off spec.

Second, and nearer and dearer to my heart, is that this system of rewarding attendance will guarantee that the people who get to play the most get the best stuff. This will hurt certain Girly Pallys who can only seriously raid a few nights a week if they want to stay married and employed.

And... it sounds like a huge hassle! Establishing a system means someone has to be in charge, checking attendance, recording points, and assigning a point value to the loot - in addition to dealing with the drama that's going to arise no matter what.

I suppose it all boils down to a guild's intentions. If the guild is focused on moving up the wowheroes ladder, then it makes sense to have all the gear go to the ten or twelve players who spend the most time online. But if a guild is attempting to be casual and raid (a combination that might actually be impossible) then a points system might not be worth the headache.

I'm very curious to hear about any and all other loot systems! Does your guild do a point system? Does it drive you nuts? Or is everyone happy to just /roll and let it go?