ok, i´m playing hardcore mode version 14w04b ,and just the night of yesterday in a new game, the zombies still drop a high rate of rare loot (not at 100%, but 30-60% chance to get potatoe, carrot or iron), by the way: creeper now does more damage, the hole in the land are greater and they are deadly even with full iron armor and full life... (a nighmare in hardcore), Greetings.
Sorry i play in spanish versión, how could translate extreme mode? (mode hard, and only one life), (i dont speak english but try to help testing the snapshots, please be patient...)
I create a new game in 14w04b, and the skin looks incomplete (but the armors looks fine)
I just play tonight 14w04b in extreme hard mode: zombies still drop iron, carrots and potatoes every time (the report say that version 14w04b fix the issue, but it isnt).
in snapshot 14w05b the bug was fixed (normal rate of drops in zombies in hardcore) confirmed.