Thanks very much! I thought you were on-line for it - I'm confused about that - but anyhow.
I really appreciate your feedback and some tips. I almost always go to shared loot events cause I think it's mad fun. One point I should take from this is that - I wasn't having fun on this one. If I take what you are saying to heart - then I shouldn't stay or go at all and I'd be fine. (if i'm not having fun)
I also have done a strategy similar to what you described above for an Oratan attack. I'd notice when it seemed like a bigger one was coming and "amp" up or when it seemed bad I'd attack as Slasher and got some nice globals, or just shoot with my small gun or something. This event seems much harder to tell at least - it takes so dang long to kill every mob - and I think that is part of the problem as far as perception.
Maybe because this is the first time I've experienced it like this - I can try to not care in the future like you said. As I wrote in my post - I didn't spend nearly as much as other people - so I know my $ reasons are less than others.
My experience in game told me something wasn't right.
positives: I got level up in dodge and evader while there! I played with LB and Taco. I talked to Ark Team.