Loot setting

Star Trek Online offers different loot settings for the distribution of item containers among the members of a player group.

Need
Looting an item because you intend to equip and use that item yourself. This is an important distinction when looting with a team as it is considered polite to let those who need an item have it.

Greed
Looting an item because you intend to sell it or pass it on to a friend or alt. This is an important distinction when looting with a team as it is considered polite to let those who need an item have it.

Pass
When in a team, and each member is asked to roll on an item, using the in-game rolling system, any user has the option to pass. Passing means you do not want it and you are allowing the roll to continue without your input into the roll list. This allows people who may need the item either as an immediate upgrade (Need) or to sell or give it to an alt (Greed).

Need before Greed
Need Before Greed describes a rule of looting etiquette as well as the loot setting enforcing that etiquette.

While part of a party most players will expect that if they need an item they should get first pick at it before those who want it for Greed.

For example, a party consisting of a Commander and two Captains perform a kill which results in a Weapon drop. All of them can potentially use the Weapon, but only the Commander really needs it, the rest will likely just sell it or give it to an alt (see Greed). Therefore, it is expected that the Captains will allow the Commander to have it by not rolling on the item.

It's not always obvious who needs an item, perhaps the Commander already has better weapons.

This declaration of need or greed is built into rolling for an item. If everyone declares greed, then everyone rolls for the item; if one or more people declare need, only they roll on the item, which is the usual tactic of loot ninjas.