Originally Posted by narcolepticltd

It also feels like the more these shards drop, the less chance there is of having other things drop (like a box of nil space, or a tink blueprint).

Originally Posted by Muraha

One of my guildmates theorised that perhaps the drop rate was supposed to be applied to the the dirge Epic starter but they fucked up and put it on smoldering shards instead.This would explain a lot if it is true.

Originally Posted by firamas

So, this was introduced recently, and it was a suitably game-changing effect to justify it as a rare drop off T8 dungeon mobs. If you wanted one you could go to Sebilis or Chardok with a group, farm for a few hours (netting chances at masters and legendary loot, just like any other contested dungeon), and likely pull a shard out as well. Nice bonus for whoever got it that time around. They were also obtainable solo, off the entrance mobs. Prices stabilized on the broker at around 80p, which provided an alternate method to obtain them for those with the financial ability (i.e. any raider who's getting guildsplits or anyone else affected by the massive T8 plat inflation). At any time there might be 3-4 on the broker. People wanted them (doubly so on PvP servers where it makes a critical difference), and they were willing to spend the time to get them.

So why was the drop rate astronomically increased with LU42? There are now half a dozen pages on the broker, and the price has fallen below 50g each (and will fall much further as people realize they aren't going to even sell at that price). It's now essentially trash loot. It's gone from a decently hard to obtain, nice to have, utility-rich status symbol, to just another globally available ability.

If the intention was to make this AA switch ability available to everyone, it would have made more sense to do it upon its release. Consumers don't respond well to companies who provide retail products that are introduced at an artificial scarcity and high price, then flood the market with another run of production at a lower price point shortly after. Apple, for instance, took a lot of shit for the iPhone with that tactic.

And don't say "you're just crying because you spent all that time [or money] on yours when it first came out, boohoo, don't ruin it for the rest of it"... that's not my intention here, and that's a cop-out to avoid a serious answer to my question. It was introduced as a rare, useful item, and then a few months later the paradigm completely changes and everyone gets one for pennies. I'm just curious to hear why, if any dev can offer some info.

Originally Posted by dakkota

IMO it gives function we should have had all along. I never saw what was game breaking about being able to change up specs whenever you want - you can only spec the fair amount of points at a time anyhow. by the 3rd respec having to drop 10p was the stupidest fucking thing I had seen - this seems to be the creative way to fix it.