For those listening... I'm not sure if it the event arc items or the EM items they are referring to. Would you please clarify?There will be a "new peerless style encounter" in which you get to fight boss that will have a chance to drop Event Item replicas. Mesanna and the gang are listening.
If it is indeed the EM items, can you please drop the [replicas] on their own shards? So Sonoma drops EM Event items from Sonoma etc. At least that way it might encourage players who kill the boss and drop the item to look up the story behind it AND might net your company some extra $$ from transfer tokens as people travel to fight other bosses or trade items to their home shard.
I think this is a great idea for the global events, but not too keen on the EM items. Some of that is because I am biased as I am a rares collector and my collection would lose a lot of piazzas if most of my items became "clicker rares" with replicas that look the same dropping on a continuous basis. I am much more of a fan of [souvenirs] dropping from a statue at the end of the event with a 1 per account. At least then it is those who were there and a 1 time deal. I support rewarding those who attended an event with items and souvenirs of that item at the end.
Anyways, that is just my opinion and as a rare collector I'd appreciate knowing one way or the other so I can inform our community before they are hit with it like a 2x4. Thank you!