World of Warcraft patch 5.3 easing off-spec loot drops with Loot Specialization

World of Warcraft's upcoming patch 5.3 will introduce Loot Specialization to Blizzard Entertainment's massively multiplayer online role-playing game, giving players more control over off-spec loot drops, according to a post on the game's official blog.

After the update rolls out, players will be able to right-click their characters and select the new Loot Specialization menu so they can, for example, "enter into Raid Finder as a Protection Paladin, but receive loot appropriate for a Holy Paladin." Loot Specialization will cover items obtained in bonus rolls, Raid Finder loot, Heroic Scenarios and Mists of Pandaria quests.

"Right now, it's difficult to collect off-spec gear easily, which can make it tough to switch roles if you decide you want to start healing or tanking," the blog post reads. "This change will allow people to play the specs they're most comfortable with while collecting loot for another should they want to try out a new role ... or even fully transition."

World of Warcraft's most recent update, patch 5.2 The Thunder King, was released last month and represented the developer's desire to revive the feeling that "being outdoors in the world was kind of a dangerous thing," lead systems designer Greg Street said.