Groups and armor types

[StephenMB]

Am I going to be able to gear out faster/better with say a 5 box and each of them use different armor types? Like a plate tank, mail Healer, leather and cloth ranged DPS. Is that the way that drops work for bosses? Do they take into consideration your group or is it basically a free-for-all if I was say five Mages and get a plate drop I am basically sol? Like would I gear faster and better if my group had all four armor types or does it REALLY make a difference?