Our last Friday Fight pitted Gear Score against Player Skill, and most agreed that Player Skill was more important. Gear Score, or at least the gear it is based on, is still essential, though. So this week, we’re drumming up a debate about player gear. In one corner, we have loot drops, the all-so-good gear that you get from taking out a boss, or for those who partake in PvP, other players. In the other corner, we have the more peaceful acquisition of gear through crafting, either by yourself or another player. Both methods are legitimate ways of procuring your character’s gear. But just like every Friday Fight, in the fight to get the ultimate loadout, there can be only one winner.
Loot Drops
There’s nothing quite like the rush of seeing that rare item pop into your inventory after a tough dungeon run. Loot drops are all about that gamble, that moment of joy when RNG finally rolls in your favor. MMOs like World of Warcraft and Elder Scrolls Online have long used loot-based reward systems to drive players into raids, dungeons, and world events.
Loot drops reward activity over planning. They keep you coming back for “just one more run,” and when you finally get that elusive item, it feels earned through effort (and maybe some luck). Plus, loot often comes with randomized stats, set bonuses, or unique abilities, making it more than just a number boost. You’re chasing power, but you’re also chasing excitement.
Crafted Gear
Crafted gear literally gives power to the players. Games like Albion Online and Final Fantasy XIV place a premium on professions and player-driven economies. Instead of praying for drops, you gather materials, level up your crafting skills, and make exactly what you need.
Crafting encourages community interaction, trade, and long-term investment. It’s predictable, customizable, and can often produce gear that competes with or even exceeds the quality of dungeon loot. And for players who enjoy a more methodical and economically driven gameplay loop, crafting is the ultimate endgame.
The rise of crafting also supports alternative playstyles. Not everyone wants to raid nightly. Some players prefer to become legendary blacksmiths, supplying their guild with the tools of victory.
My Take
Gear makes the hero, especially in MMOs where your effectiveness often hinges on what you’re wearing, but how you get that gear can shape your entire experience. For me, crafting loot is a nice side hustle to get away from the grind of running dungeons, but loot drops are the ultimate way to outfit my character. I play MMOs to run dungeons and raids, and learning and finally defeating a final boss with a group of friends is the best part of that process. Nothing feels better than when your desired piece of gear finally pops up in the raid chest. Visiting an auction house and purchasing something crafted by someone else doesn’t compare to that sensation.
