loot 2.0 system is very popular among players and the smart drop really helpful in battles. useless items are decreased and the equipment now is worth your time getting. not only primary and secondary properties, the special effects are awesome and interesting. for example, pox faulds. this legendary pants will make you stink occasionally and which helps to defeat enemies. isn't that funny?
well, followers are still active in reaper of souls. they are assistant and can not get equipment by themselves. loot 2.0 system is considerate here. in diablo 3 new expansion you hero will get legendaries for them too, though it's not sure if the drop is on the basis of "follower class".
the same with nephalem, followers' equipment has wonderful properties in ros. they have the chance to be as strong as you – just imagine it. look at the templar relic special effect: gain access to all skills when equipped. with this item you can choose skill freely for templar and in this way you get additional build help because of those wonderful special effects. the drop rate of follower equipment may be not high but that makes them more valuable. items drop for followers are rarely shared and perhaps they will become more important than before. how is that you can hardly get through some quests or else without specific help from followers? followers' storyline is expanded in reaper of souls but far more from interesting and adventurous like this.
future in the expansion battles, you may have to consider the effect of followers because of some special legendary items equipped by them. if someday you just run in the game and the follower defeat all the monsters, what a funny thing! or the development team can try to design a level like that?