If there is a personal loot pool, the question remains why MA goes trough all the trouble to make it look exactly like a general loot pool, or random payout system, to the extend there is no noticeable difference in behavior. Only argument I have heard so far is to fool the gabling laws, but I'm not really convinced by that. In a previous thread I already argued how this trick could easily be used on slot machines too.
That is a good question. Avoiding gambling laws could certainly play a big part of it. Another part could be is that they've designed it so people have a chance to "figure out" the system if you will, or based on their play performance have better returns. People that have more efficient play styles will have better success, which I tend to believe is true.
I'm pretty sure I've seen from your previous posts that you would agree that hunting with efficient gear generally provides better returns than that of inefficient gear. So if efficient play provides better returns, what would be some examples of inefficient play? What would be the most inefficient way to play this game?
Using non-sib weapons with low skills we already agree upon. I also believe that armor or fap decay isn't returned in any form, so the more of this you incur, the more inefficient you will be. Hunting high regen mobs like I mentioned before would be inefficient if you can not kill it fast enough. Also hunting on taxed land will decrease your returns as well.
So heavily tanking (requiring lots of armor and fapping) on high regen mobs with un-eco weapons on taxed land should provide the worst possible returns. How many people do you think actually hunt like this? A LOT of people, I would say. So it's no surprise to me that people can see 60-70% returns from hunting if this is how they play. Become more efficient in any of these areas and I'm sure returns will improve.
A lot of it is risk vs. reward. If you are playing to hit that big ATH, it's going to cost you since you need to become more risky with your play style. You are in effect gambling on the game, and the game can certainly be played like that. You can also play the game more efficiently to get more steady returns. And that doesn't mean you have to be stuck hunting snables forever, either. I think having both options present in the game is the reason that we have this clash between those that think it's pure gambling, and those that believe it's possible to profit if you're willing to put some effort in. The game is really what you want to make of it.
