For me, everyday play is quite sterile, drops are poor. I literally haven't seen a decent item drop in over a year of normal hunting, I got a few higher level weapons and an elys item (nekkie, yup - the one no one wants to see) at Easter event but that's it.
The recent Elys update added some excitement over lvl 4 spells and all the other work that Scorp put in, but, again, drops are poor.
Also, ahhh man, can't believe I am mentioning this again...runes
However, there was always the glimmer of hope three times a year; Easter, Halloween and Chrimbo (if you put aside the crushing disappointment of year after year not getting a tiger)
Three times a year the gold would flow and the items would drop like conkers from a tree.
This meant, three times a year I would need to splash the cash but I had no issues with this; I liked seeing the server lit up and the gold and items would get me thru the boring months in-between.
This event? Well lets just say this is the first time I haven't put my hand in my pocket.
Which is a shame. I want to say 'thank you' to Scorp. I want to see the server lit up. More importantly, I really don't want to go back to the bad old days of having no gold. Its miserable. No fun. Not necessary. (Feck me, this country is miserable enough as it is right now, no need to bring it into the game!)
I get that events have previously put large amounts of gold into the economy but, just go and myth socket a few items and that soon disappears. Just go and craft your kit and the designs and essence disappear, too. Gone back to the server, not floating about in the economy.
Bring back the gold rates, and up the pumpkin spawns. Leave the exp rates (why is anyone not hunting with a 100% pot when you can buy with DS and a pumpkin hat?) and slightly up the drop rates.
Let the good times roll again!
p.s. For the love of God, please up the rune drop rates.