Please, Don't Roll on Items for Another Class in Your Team

I'd be ok with just going to random distribution, but I like having the greed button available for those times when I don't need what has dropped. I have 6 companions, but only one of them needs any gear -- diplomacy/biochem missions haven't yet proved dangerous enough that their quest gear wasn't fine.

So I'm going to greed on anything that isn't an upgrade for me or Akaavi Spar. Most things will not be an upgrade because I keep them both well-geared so I will usually greed on everything. I would like to retain the ability to give other people a higher chance at winning on things that I don't need.

I've never played WoW, and apparently the devs never have either. This is the only way I can explain how the devs could design a loot driven PvE game like this one without restricting who can roll "need" on what. Like I said, I've never played WoW, but have read about the loot drama and disintegration of guilds over loot rolls, so not only does BioWare not improve on the basic need/greed mechanic, they actually made it five times worse by adding 5 companions per player that can all wear the same gear is players. It is truly mind boggling.

Anyone rolling need for gear they can't use or for companions not part of the group without asking get /ignored and either kicked or I drop if the leader doesn't kick them, and have fun finding another tank or healer. I have no desire to group with people that think gearing a NPC that doesn't even get used all the time has priority over a live player actually contributing to the team. I'm not going to argue about it or rage in general...we just obviously have different ideas of how the game should be played and I'd just assume not deal with you.

No, your conclusion doesn't follow from your premise.

No, that's not true. Troopers, for example, don't have any companions that aren't in heavy armor other than the droids, and all of the, even the droids, use aim iirc. I (as a consular) have no need of any str based gear for any of my companions.

Nor does "can be worn by my companion" mean that I'm going to hit the need button. I may or may not, depending on the piece, the stats, and the companion; so having the option to hit greed when I'm not going to hit need is a good thing for me

If those people are delusional enough to think that a fair, unbiased, impartial roll is somehow an unfair advantage.... well, I really have no idea why you think people should worry about them. They're clearly detached from reality.

As a healer, if a DPS class were to roll on an item that would be an upgrade for me that they couldn't even use, there would be a choice the party lead would have to make... the dps or me. Does he want to try and find a new DPS player or a new healer... cause I would just not stay in such a group as that.

If for some other reason I really wanted to finish the instance the DPS would be on ignore and would not receive any further heals or a rez when they died...

Most MMO games have system to prevent players from needing something they can't use, like RIFT, you can't need for platemail while being a rogue, that can't wear it. It's simple, but still, blocks some people from being *****.

I really don't want to see someone need an item he won't use OR that is not for the spec he is right now.
If tank is fine with you needing these pantaloons of defense, fine, roll, but if he needs them, just pass on that, he needs them more than you, and actually he DESERVE them for tanking the damn dungeon for you.
The same goes for him of course, if he want to need on skirt of dps'ing, he should ask other eligible damage dealers in the party, before doing so.

This actually happened to me, in RIFT. We were doing tier one random dungeon (tier one is one of the two tiers of end-game dungeons, before doing heroics), and the mace for tanking dropped, that I really needed, only item I lacked before going to tier two.
Guess what? Healer needed too, and of course, won. I know, it's only a game, but still, I would break his fingers for that, so he won't do this kind of thing again.
Why did he need it? Of course, for freaking offspec...

So, to sum it all, be polite in your group, and ask before needing for something you won't use this instant, as it only angers other players, breaking some part of fun for them, and this is pointless.
If someone want to cover some specific role, like healer, tank or damage dealer, don't make it harder for them, don't need for your offspec, no matter how tempting it is.
If you wan't to gather off-spec items, bother to start gathering equipment without halting someone else progress, or gather group of players (guildies preferably) that don't mind running dungeon to gear you up.

Bioware is aware of the complexity of the looting options in the game, they have said you need to loot for your companions to gear them up and it will create an "interesting" aspect of the looting process.

My companion is controlled by me. She is not an NPC. She attacks who I tell her to and stops attacking when I tell her too. I have a whole action bar dedicated to directing her actions.

I am a live player. You are a live player. We were both in the group and we both get the right to roll for loot.

Admittedly, she does seem to have a mind of her own when it comes to setting off her AOE blast no matter what I say....

That wouldn't work in SWTOR because most people can use armor of all types (main character and companions). By giving companions gear slots, they were able to avoid having to design separate armor sets for them. You are supposed to get gear for companions from the same places that you get gear for your main character. That can include flashpoints.

EDIT: It is easy for them to add gear for specific classes -- just restrict their use to a specific class. Companions cannot wear gear that is class-specific because they do not have a class. They do not class-restrict most gear -- which seems to imply to me that they don't intend for most gear to be limited to specific classes.

It was "interesting" playing basketball with people that thought they were fouled every...single...time they took a shot, but I preferred to not play with those people in the future, either.

No point in arguing with someone that says companions aren't NPCs. Good luck getting groups in the future.

Yup, Bioware didn't overlook this aspect, they designed it this way.