Raiding Progression Limitations..? Required Item Use?

[Chamomile]

So, at the risk of sounding like a jerk...

I think it may be in our best interest to limit progression fights to some subset of characters. Perhaps introduce a minimum item level for certain bosses or modes.

DPS seems to be a poor measure of performance this tier since there are are some encounters where everyone's output will be relatively high (Kargath / Butcher / Brackenspore) and some where mechanics drastically favor certain classes.

Also, looking at the logs, it appears that there may be a fair number of people that aren't flasking and / or making use of potions for progression encounters.

The whispering crystal is certainly nice for a free 200 point buff to your stats, but it only effects the four basic attributes and doesn't last through death. Further, with a fifteen minute cool down, on progression fights, you'll likely only have the buff one out of two or even three attempts. Standard flasks are dirt cheap and last through death for the same level of primary stat increase and greater flasks are an extra 50 points to your primary stat.

Potions are another cheap and effective way to increase your dps. Use one right before the pull and a second strategically during the fight and you have two 25 second 1000 point increases to your primary stat.

Augment Runes are an additional stat buff that does not last through death and supply a 50 point primary stat buff for an hour. They drop off LFR bosses and are not soulbound and can be bought at the auction house. Conveniently, they stack with food, flasks, potions, etc. They're definitely more work / more expensive to obtain than flasks or potions but are an additional source of improvement.

Enchants and gems should also be required, even if they're just the 'cheap' ones. Chances are a guildie will be quite willing to provide a gem or enchantment for the price of asking.

Having everyone flask and use at least one potion per fight should be strongly recommended if not enforced. Losing that much dps out of laziness or frugality is a pretty big drawback.

Does anyone else have any thoughts or opinions on these subjects?

[Eisengrad]

Preachin' to the choir, here, on flasking etc. Progress necessitates a willingness to put in some level of effort. Garrisons have really simplified getting mats for this kind of stuff.

Perhaps it's an education issue?