How does WoW attempt to balance the Gold = Power equation?
Blizzard uses many different things to try and limit the gold = power equation. The biggest two are that the best epics require raid groups, or require gaining reputation, rank or faction points to gain access to them. While many people have recently been complaining that the best items are only available to raiders or long time hard-core PVP’ers (for rank rewards). This is likely one of the things that has saved WoW from rampant escalation, as it limits the number of the high end items available, by limiting who can get them. Blizzard also makes many of the best items BoP (Bind on Pickup) so that they can’t be sold to those with money, they must be earned yourself. It also limits the number in the system, by not allowing you to pass it along when you are done with it.
