Why is ANet tampering with drop rates?

I've yet to hear a valid argument against farming. Yes, there are many complaints - some about the one true way the game should be played, others are opinions about how boring farming is. I've yet to see someone demonstrate how it harms the game whereas there are plenty of arguments for how tampering with drop rates (read nerfing) is hurting the economy, PvP, hardcore vs casual balance, etc.

What does ANet know that we don't? Why are they nerfing all of the great spots? The only thing I can assume is that they want to slow down the process of completing your character which doesn't jive with anything they've said in the months leading up to release. Imagine a Guild Wars where drop rates were the same as during the BWE or even on release. Most everyone would have their superior vigor rune and a couple rare weapons they really like. I don't know what's wrong with that picture?

Part of me likes the fact that rare should really mean rare however when you take into account all the probabilities in finding your ideal weapon, "practically impossible" sums it up nicely. Considering all the different types of weapons (staff, wand, sword, axe, hammer, bow) and then all the attributes they're attached to and lastly the different brands which can range from aesthetic to functional (ie, short bow vs longbow)......the rare weapon/item for you is practically impossible to find. Decreasing the drop rate on top of that is ludicrous!!

Someone explain to me the positive aspects as to what ANet is doing because I just can't see them.

I can't say I've heard anything specific or valid to why they've nerf'd farming. To me it seems that the nerfing has come from people constantly crying out about how it messes the economy up. Unfortunately some of these people are smart in thinking because it will only make economy worse. Prices for items like Superior Vigor Runes will double if not triple. Since chances to get them are already harder than any other ones. People don't realize that when they make games they don't just try to attract one group of people. Guild wars is trying to get PvP and PvE. I don't understand why people cry nerf farming. If you enjoy farming, which I do, then let me farm it's not hurting PvP or PvE. I like to PvP too, and PvP aspect doesn't hurt PvE. You're right there is no valid argument, it's just that some people need something to whine and complain about. What ruins economies in my MMORPG experiences are the hacks, dupes, bots, and cheats people started using in games like FFXI, D2, and all the others. Farmers do not tend to usually get a supersized overkill of items because they don't play 24/7 like bot. I highly doubt anyone will post a valid argument for why farming is getting nerf'd and how it truly hurts economy.

Ok, let's see. I played for 6 hours yesterday, found 8 Purple armors and one Purple weapon, 7 or the armors salvaged one major and 6 minor runes and the hammer I found is amazing. After having gone zero for zero since April in salvaging the 2 or three rares and uniques I've found, I think the drop rates have improved dramatically. Members of my Guild report better drops and salvage rates than ever. I think the problem has nothing to do with AN but with anticipation and confusion with other games.

I agree, The fact is that arenanet has created a catch 22 situation by limiting the rare drops even further. the fact that a charachter can only cary 100k at any one time attests to the fact that they wish to stop people from charging more than that for any item. ( wich hasent worked at all i might add.. if you are listening arenanet). By limiting the rare drops they have ensured a rise in prices for rare items and even weapon bods and runes. i actually sold a 20% enchentment mod for a staff for 291 k last night. if thats not ridiculus i dont know what is. I think Arenanet really needs to rethink their attempts to controll the economy, because after all, that what the drop adjustment really is. players like me will continue to flourish because i already have copeous ammounts of money, and newbs will have a difficult time buying anything they may want because of crazy inflation.
~ farash

No need to start yet another farming/grinding thread.