nilbog, do you even science?

[Danger]

I understand that you don't want to experiment on red with item loot. I know one can cite valid reasons such as why implement it late in the lifespan of a server that has a bubble of kunark and god loot on it, I get it. So I'd like to highlight a suggestion/solution to perhaps appeal to all concerned parties, a solution I saw posted elsewhere but felt it deemed its own thread, and is as follows.

Launch a beta server. Populate said server with character copies from red. Engage in pre-experimentation in item loot varients, bagging varients, no drop tags, etc. As nirgon said, one doesn't experiment with a pizza recipe by dumping chocolate all over it, one would add a droplet or two to a bite sized portion, taste, and continue.

This is why we should test the most controversial issues, such as item loot, concurrently with continuing resist fixes, and even before team composition testing. Frankly, additional feedback that would come from more pvp engagements on a beta server may provide to be more useful than current red99 feedback. The forums are a good indication that the natives are restless, and while I understand that Velious is the main effort at the moment, lets start examining mechanics (such as item loot variants be they random, RZ, or darktide) sooner, rather than later.