Short Sweet Rant #2

You could say the same of armor kits, enchants, inscriptions... most of this kind of stuff is actually more meaningful when a culture of expectation evolves around it. The game shouldn't "force" you to play in any given way (even when, to the bulk of us, this isn't a choice of whether or not to gem, but rather how to gem).

You have a system of expectations based on a base level of expected performance, and the presence or absence of things like gems and enchants constitutes a mathematically significant portion of that system. This is a good thing, but it's a byproduct of your knowledge of how to improve your character - and, in all likelihood, that's based on someone else doing outside work, and you relying on their math.

If the game forced you to gem gear, it would constitute an arbitrary - and likely annoying - way of constraining how you play (much the same way as you could make a similar argument for anyone who spends their talent points incorrectly, etc.). It may make the player an idiot, but the best way for the game to weed out idiots is through a fluid, organic evolution of player-reinforced expectations. This is better for the game.

Player-policed systems like this encourage players to know more and get better, and they also promote a more cohesive multiplayer atmosphere.

Optimizationalist!

Down with the oppressors. People like you are the reason we can't all hold hands and sing camp songs together in perfect harmony.

I think, if you were to try to draw an analogous relationship there, it would be better to use the example of someone who doesn't spend talent points at all, not someone who spends them 'incorrectly'. If these people even threw any gem in at all, that's one thing. But not even doing that, that's a whole different ball game.

As for the enchants/kits/inscriptions ... I didn't mention those, mainly because, they're less ... hm... obvious? I mean, there's no spot on the gear that says 'Enchant goes Here' or anything. But, there is a spot specifically designed for a gem, which is hard to miss.

I think that the expected performance you were mentioning, at least in the way that i'm referencing, includes such expectations as a Tank knowing what Taunt is or a Hunter having a pet. Sure, they can exist and perhaps even do okay without doing it. But all tanks have Taunt abilities, so if the player doesn't even know what it is? If a Hunter doesn't have a pet, aren't they missing something?

I use this idea to say that, when you hit 80, even if you've been power leveled, you have seen gear that Gems can go in. You have been in a city, (and especially recently) seen TONS of gems flooding the market.

But, even then, the problem extends. Each of the examples I can think of, of people who haven't gemmed their gear after receiving it, are people expecting the same sort of results, and treatment or utility, as those who do. And that is the disconnect, as that is unrealistic. And that is why it bothers me.

Now, maybe that is part of the ‘idiot weeding’ you’re referring to, and if so, I’ll concede to that point. But it makes my irritation no less valid.

If they don't have gems (unless they just got the item and it was better than what they had), kick them from the raid!