Seriously angry at the Cannith Crafting debacle

[Bradik_Losdar]

This weekend for those who don't know is a +30% Cannith Crafting xp weekend.

This is something I have been waiting for sometime so I could finally get closer to maxing out crafting (400) on my 15 year old original character. Had a bunch of essences ready, crafting potions, etc. I get 10 minutes into my first 30 minute +100%xp potion along with the bonus success potions and BAM! hit in the face with ZERO xp for EVERYTHING on the crafting lists (both bound and unbound) at level 343. This is because with the power creep revamp/fix (which I am all for btw), shards above Min Level 30 were removed. But nothing was put in to replace them xp wise or that the current xp for ML30 shards was not adjusted to compensate. So that means the ONLY way to get crafting xp now is by deconstructing items (which as everyone knows gives next to no xp).

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.

[slarden]

If you are crafting for yourself you don't need to progress any further. You will get some xp for breaking down items, but you can already craft everything.

If you want to do unbounded crafting (not recommended) switch to that machine for more crafting xp.

[erethizon]

The reason everything is worth no experience is because you have the ability to make all bound shards with 100% success. You are effectively capped. The only thing more experience will do is allow you to make unbound insightful items and so you need to focus on unbound insightful shards to continue to skill up (as unbound insightful shards are the only thing you cannot make with 100% success every time).

That said, you are better off if you just break things down from now on and skill up no other way. Getting 400 crafting skill is boring and makes breaking items down much less satisfying. I've been 400 for years now and wish I had stopped skilling up with shards at least 20 or 30 points before I did (I did save the last many levels to get just from breaking things down, but I wish I had saved even more of them). Unless you have plans to make a lot of unbound insightful items it is best to just stop making shards now.

[Gabrael]

You overlooked unbound shards, as you lvl up enough to craft everything bound, you have to move to unbound shards, the lvl of shards are higher, and you get xp again.

[dredre9987]

Go look at unbound now. You can already make all bound shards .max recipe level for bound shards is 300, for unbound shards is 425. iirc you have to manually set a higher level in the unbound ui to see them, iirc for some reason by default is shows max 400. You were also told this in your other post from yesterday.

[Annex]

Yeah. Even though I am not playing, I have been waiting for a Cannith Crafting boost weekend and decided to use it. I burned 40,000 Essences, a +75% Potion, and 35 +25% Success Boosters to go from 311 to 341. At that point, I was gaining 68 Experience for every 700 Essences making Level 30 Unbound Shards and gave up.

Years ago, I used the same potion, maybe 200 +25% Success Boosters, and 40,000 Essences to go from 0 to about 375 during a Crafting Boost Weekend on a different character.

I am not angry. It is just another disappointing thing heaped onto the pile of recently disappointing things. "Just don't do it", they say. That is good advice. I am no longer doing it. I am seeking fun elsewhere until something changes around here.

Edit: Fixed typos--40,000 Essences and Unbound Shards.

[Oliphant]

At that point, I was gaining 68 Experience for every 700 Essences making Level 30 Bound Shards and gave up.

As stated in this thread, you need to be doing unbound shards at this point to get the xp.

[Bradik_Losdar]

You overlooked unbound shards, as you lvl up enough to craft everything bound, you have to move to unbound shards, the lvl of shards are higher, and you get xp again.


If you want to do unbounded crafting (not recommended) switch to that machine for more crafting xp.


Go look at unbound now. You can already make all bound shards .


As stated in this thread, you need to be doing unbound shards at this point to get the xp.

Look guys, I mentioned I had exhausted ALL xp both bound and UNBOUND in the original post. I am getting ZERO XP from ANYTHING on either crafting list.

At this point I think SSG just ought to just make ML30 shards (bound and unbound) worth 1500 xp each with NO deterioration of xp. If I want to waste my time collecting essences and shooting myself in the foot losing all that money that I could get from selling the weapons I break down to get them so I can max out at 400, that's my decision to make.

It's especially irritating since others have had the 'easy street' in the past and gone from 0 to 375 overnight.

Heck, since they took away the ability to get any xp from crafting at higher levels (and unless they take my suggestion above), just make anyone who gets to the point where nothing they craft makes xp for them anymore, go instantly to level 400 and be done with it.

[dredre9987]

Look guys, I mentioned I had exhausted ALL xp both bound and UNBOUND in the original post. I am getting ZERO XP from ANYTHING on either crafting list.

At this point I think SSG just ought to just make ML30 shards (bound and unbound) worth 1500 xp each with NO deterioration of xp. If I want to waste my time collecting essences and shooting myself in the foot losing all that money that I could get from selling the weapons I break down to get them so I can max out at 400, that's my decision to make.

It's especially irritating since others have had the 'easy street' in the past and gone from 0 to 375 overnight.

Heck, since they took away the ability to get any xp from crafting at higher levels (and unless they take my suggestion above), just make anyone who gets to the point where nothing they craft makes xp for them anymore, go instantly to level 400 and be done with it.


max recipe level for bound shards is 300, for unbound shards is 425. iirc you have to manually set a higher level in the unbound ui to see them, iirc for some reason by default is shows max 400.

[Chacka_DDO]

Look guys, I mentioned I had exhausted ALL xp both bound and UNBOUND in the original post. I am getting ZERO XP from ANYTHING on either crafting list.

At this point I think SSG just ought to just make ML30 shards (bound and unbound) worth 1500 xp each with NO deterioration of xp. If I want to waste my time collecting essences and shooting myself in the foot losing all that money that I could get from selling the weapons I break down to get them so I can max out at 400, that's my decision to make.

It's especially irritating since others have had the 'easy street' in the past and gone from 0 to 375 overnight.

Heck, since they took away the ability to get any xp from crafting at higher levels (and unless they take my suggestion above), just make anyone who gets to the point where nothing they craft makes xp for them anymore, go instantly to level 400 and be done with it.

It is indeed funny that no one who replies here notices that you clearly say what the problem is and comprehend that your point to take away the 4 recipes for the power level 31-34 shards is indeed a nerf for leveling your Cannith Crafting.
For all who still don't get it, the problem is after you get ZERO experience anymore on any shard (UNBOUND!) you are still not allowed to craft level 400 recipes (0% chance) this means there is a big cap you cannot pass with normal means.

I currently face the same problem leveling my second crafter character (my main got 400 years ago) my "trick" was to give my crafter 14 artificer levels (iconic character) to close the gap from the unbound level 30 shards to the unbound insightful shards but the insightful shards are VERY cost-intensive for the collectibles you need to craft them.

Notice: If you have artificer levels you get bonus levels to your crafting and then you are allowed to craft higher level recipes but you also get less experience for them as if your original crafting level was actually that high. But if the character loses these bonus levels he gets more experience per receipt again

I currently ran out on collectibles and sit at level 382 on him (including the artificer bonus crafting levels), my next plan is to make him a human (Dragonmark of Making) level 20 artificer and I hope that closes the gap so I'm allowed to start to craft the level 425 shards and I hope I have enough collectibles to reach level 400 (without bonus levels from artificer and Dragonmark) :o

Another way as it was already mentioned here is to pass the gaps with deconstructing items which is not a bad idea at all but when you consider that one deconstruction gives you 5 crafting experiences this way needs thousands of items so I think my solution makes more sense but for this you have to actually play your crafter which is not really a problem if this is you main and you still need artificer past lives or racial past lives you are wiling to play as an artificer. ;)

[Oliphant]

Look guys, I mentioned I had exhausted ALL xp both bound and UNBOUND in the original post. I am getting ZERO XP from ANYTHING on either crafting list.

At this point I think SSG just ought to just make ML30 shards (bound and unbound) worth 1500 xp each with NO deterioration of xp. If I want to waste my time collecting essences and shooting myself in the foot losing all that money that I could get from selling the weapons I break down to get them so I can max out at 400, that's my decision to make.

It's especially irritating since others have had the 'easy street' in the past and gone from 0 to 375 overnight.

Heck, since they took away the ability to get any xp from crafting at higher levels (and unless they take my suggestion above), just make anyone who gets to the point where nothing they craft makes xp for them anymore, go instantly to level 400 and be done with it.

Alright, alright, +1 rep to you fair and square XD

[Oxarhamar]

Look guys, I mentioned I had exhausted ALL xp both bound and UNBOUND in the original post. I am getting ZERO XP from ANYTHING on either crafting list.

At this point I think SSG just ought to just make ML30 shards (bound and unbound) worth 1500 xp each with NO deterioration of xp. If I want to waste my time collecting essences and shooting myself in the foot losing all that money that I could get from selling the weapons I break down to get them so I can max out at 400, that's my decision to make.

It's especially irritating since others have had the 'easy street' in the past and gone from 0 to 375 overnight.

Heck, since they took away the ability to get any xp from crafting at higher levels (and unless they take my suggestion above), just make anyone who gets to the point where nothing they craft makes xp for them anymore, go instantly to level 400 and be done with it.

Yeah I agree crafting system is nonsense as far as leveling goes

I really wish there was something to do with all the junk we had to craft to get the levels they should focus on that instead of Filigree cosmetic whatever they are doing

[erethizon]

If I want to waste my time collecting essences and shooting myself in the foot losing all that money that I could get from selling the weapons I break down to get them so I can max out at 400, that's my decision to make.

This option still exists. You just break down your gear until you get to 400 (without crafting anything). It also has the advantage of not causing as much platinum devaluation. All these people saying that platinum is worthless and they have too much clearly have not been exclusively breaking down every piece of gear they ever get for all these years like I do. It's good for the economy to have people breaking down gear for experience rather than selling it all for much more money.

[SoulDustar]

You could tr that will reset the xp on shards as well I believe not sure on ER tho

[Annex]

As stated in this thread, you need to be doing unbound shards at this point to get the xp.

Typos fixed. They were unbound shards.

[Annex]

On my second character, at level 333, Unbound Level 30 shards were awarding about 1,200 Experience per 700 Essences when I gave up.


It's especially irritating since others have had the 'easy street' in the past and gone from 0 to 375 overnight.

During a +100% Crafting Boost Weekend*, one +75% Crafting Experience Elixir, 40,000 Essences, and something like 220 +25% Crafting Success Boosters would get a character from 1 to about 375 in under 30 minutes. With the Minimum Level 31-34 shards of both types gone, it is hopeless.

.....

Edit: It takes 650,040 crafting experience to reach 400. It takes 476,145 crafting experience to reach 341, where my first character mentioned above topped out.

650,040 -476,145 =173,895
1,500 +130% (100% Crafting Experience Elixir + 30% Crafting Boost Weekend) =3,450
173,895 /3.450 = 51 (rounded up) x700 (Essences per Level 30 Unbound Shard) =35,700 Essences

So, if Level 30 Unbound Shards award 1,500 crafting experience that never degrades, using a +100 Crafting Experience Elixir, on a +30% Crafting Boost Weekend, with no failures, it will take 35,700 Essences just to get from 341 to 400.

It will take 173,895 /5 = 34,779 mid and high level enchanted item deconstructions to accomplish the same thing, earning 5 crafting experience per item, assuming no boosts of any kind.

.....

A Class or Racial reset will also reset crafting experience for individual recipes, but once a character's crafting level rises above a certain point, approximately at 350, the Minimum Level Shards, Bound and Unbound, become 100% guaranteed and never award experience. This is unavoidable. Once this happens, only Unbound Effect Shards award crafting experience and they require Collectibles and very expensive Purified Eberron Dragonshard Fragments.**

Don't take my word for it. Try it for yourself.

Sorry for any more typos. My hands are bad tonight.





* I may be misremembering but it was higher than the current +30%.

** For example, I have a character at 394 who recently reset to Level 1. This reset crafting experience for all Shards, Bound and Unbound. She cannot earn crafting experience from any Bound Shard of any kind. She can earn crafting experience from exactly 13 Unbound Shard effect recipes, but each requires 10 Purified Eberron Dragonshard Fragments and they only award 650 crafting experience each. Fortunately for her, she is only 650,040 -633,235 =16,805 /5 =3,361 mid and high level item deconstructions away from reaching 400. Yay. :/

[Oxarhamar]

You could tr that will reset the xp on shards as well I believe not sure on ER tho

This only works if you have not leveled past them once you do that you are left with the recipes that take not only essences but collectibles and other expensive or rare goodies

[Gabrael]

alright, I just went on my max lvl crafter, lvl 400.

i set recipe by exp, and I got lvl 400 unbound shards available to craft, for around 520 xp each, and if I manually raise max crafting lvl to 425, I get a bunch of lvl 425 unbound shards i can craft at 16% success rate for around 3k xp

I don't know why people keep saying they get 0 xp from even unbound shards

edit: i also checked levels and you got lvl 350 shards, then it raise by 25 per blocks, so u might need a few success boosters,

[Sylvado]

There are plenty of people at 400, there is no gap. You can't do it just with essences but that would make it far too easy, it is too easy already. Also, as stated there isn't any point is going to 400, the collectable cost for unbound items is far too high to be of any value. If you want to complain about something then complain about the max level being 400 leaving you with shards that are a 50/50 shot even with a booster with a very expensive collectable cost, but as I said unbound aren't worth making anyway.

[TedSandyman]

alright, I just went on my max lvl crafter, lvl 400.

i set recipe by exp, and I got lvl 400 unbound shards available to craft, for around 520 xp each, and if I manually raise max crafting lvl to 425, I get a bunch of lvl 425 unbound shards i can craft at 16% success rate for around 3k xp

I don't know why people keep saying they get 0 xp from even unbound shards

edit: i also checked levels and you got lvl 350 shards, then it raise by 25 per blocks, so u might need a few success boosters,

The problem is that the OP isn't at a high enough level to craft those things.

The low level stuff that is craftable has all been crafted down to 0xp and there just isn't enough XP available to get to any higher level to get more XP.

They are stuck at a spot in the middle where there isn't any XP and therefore they cannot continue.

[TedSandyman]

There are plenty of people at 400, there is no gap. You can't do it just with essences but that would make it far too easy, it is too easy already. Also, as stated there isn't any point is going to 400, the collectable cost for unbound items is far too high to be of any value. If you want to complain about something then complain about the max level being 400 leaving you with shards that are a 50/50 shot even with a booster with a very expensive collectable cost, but as I said unbound aren't worth making anyway.

While this is absolutely true, it shouldn't be the ONLY way to progress. If one WANTS to level to 400, the system should allow it is the point.

[erethizon]

While this is absolutely true, it shouldn't be the ONLY way to progress. If one WANTS to level to 400, the system should allow it is the point.

They system does allow it, it is just slow and expensive. It involves breaking down thousands of pieces of equipment and getting tens of millions less platinum than you would had you sold that same gear to merchants instead.

[Chacka_DDO]

There are plenty of people at 400, there is no gap. You can't do it just with essences but that would make it far too easy, it is too easy already. Also, as stated there isn't any point is going to 400, the collectable cost for unbound items is far too high to be of any value. If you want to complain about something then complain about the max level being 400 leaving you with shards that are a 50/50 shot even with a booster with a very expensive collectable cost, but as I said unbound aren't worth making anyway.

Yes there ppl at 400 including my main because before u50 there was no gap but now there IS a gap! And this is the complain of the OP that is seemingly hard to understand. (I give more details below)


alright, I just went on my max lvl crafter, lvl 400.

i set recipe by exp, and I got lvl 400 unbound shards available to craft, for around 520 xp each, and if I manually raise max crafting lvl to 425, I get a bunch of lvl 425 unbound shards i can craft at 16% success rate for around 3k xp

I don't know why people keep saying they get 0 xp from even unbound shards

edit: i also checked levels and you got lvl 350 shards, then it raise by 25 per blocks, so u might need a few success boosters,

The point you maybe cannot see is that there is a quite big gap before you are allowed to even try to craft the level 375 recipes.
There is only ONE level 330, 340, and 350 level recipe each, and these 3 recipes (level 28, 29, and 30 shards) are not enough to get enough crafting experience to be allowed to try the level 375 recipes (still 0% chance and therefore not allowed to try it, even with an %-booster).
This gap was once filled with the 4 power level 31-34 shards and therefore it was even relatively easy to get to the level 375 recipes but this is currently not possible because they removed these recipes.

I hope you both now get the point.
As I said, one workaround is if you get 0 experience from the level 350 recipes you TR into an artificer, at its best a human with Dragonmark of Making and the crafting-bonus-levels he gets closes the gap and then you can proceed to level 375 recipes and there enough recipes then to reach level 400 recipes and then 425 recipes (if you have the collectibles it is easy)

The OP gave this information basically already with his first post but maybe it is hard to understand if these facts are not clear to you.

[DYWYPI]

Personally I wouldn't bother wasting any Collectables whatsoever on crafting Unbound shards. When you are very high level but at a stage where your success chance too low, so greyed out, and thus would give you 0 XP that is a nuisance.


https://images2.imgbox.com/c7/73/O5e4Go0D_o.jpg

I do have sympathy, and you have the Developers to thank for removing the 30+ Minimum Level shards during U50. It won't affect my main Character (see image) but I have another two Characters in the 300s. :-/

[gnarledmaw]

It is indeed funny that no one who replies here notices ...

How can you be so new to these forums yet have so many posts?

Totally normal for this forum.

OP: "Can anyone tell me how to increase my dodge?"

Reply 1: I play a warforged but my sister likes dwarves.

Reply 2: Git gud noob! I had 137 dodge at first level.

Reply 3: Doesnt matter, SSG is about to put DDO into maintenance mode.

Reply 4: Its the lag.

Reply 5: Youre a liar! You cant possibly do that much damage to a frog because present ceiling on Feelings cant exceed 1152. (bxb2)/r*15*(1/2q)=16.331!

Reply 6: The devs are idiots! Im quitting until I get them to change it to the way I like.

Reply 7: You wouldnt have the problem in the first place is SSG wasnt pushing pay to win!

Reply 8: I had a toon last year with a +7 to hit so I deleted it.

...

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[magaiti]

They system does allow it, it is just slow and expensive. It involves breaking down thousands of pieces of equipment and getting tens of millions less platinum than you would had you sold that same gear to merchants instead.

Not entirely true, as all those essences you get from dissolving can be sold for plat or AS to cover some costs.
It's the tedious process of dissolving items one at a time with UI delays that's real deal. It kills your time and will to continue.

[Ulfo]

Not entirely true, as all those essences you get from dissolving can be sold for plat or AS to cover some costs.

Better say - entirely not true, because selling essences much more profitable than selling trash loot to vendors/AH. 8)

[Enderoc]

When the level cap raises all the changes they made to Cannith they will most likely revert...
I know, right?

[Bjond]

DDO is the MMO equivalent of a Yugo galumphing down the highway @ 45mph. Our driver, SSG, has an ear-wide grin, a wad a broccoli stuck between front teeth, headphones, and head-bopping to 80s oldies.

G'luck getting 'em to notice, much less fix, anything at all.

On other news, don't those nifty U51 tailfins look cool on the Yugo? :cool:

[cdbd3rd]

... 80s ....oldies.....

Ouch.

:p

We prefer the term "retro". So we don't sound so.... old.

[slarden]

Look guys, I mentioned I had exhausted ALL xp both bound and UNBOUND in the original post. I am getting ZERO XP from ANYTHING on either crafting list.

At this point I think SSG just ought to just make ML30 shards (bound and unbound) worth 1500 xp each with NO deterioration of xp. If I want to waste my time collecting essences and shooting myself in the foot losing all that money that I could get from selling the weapons I break down to get them so I can max out at 400, that's my decision to make.

It's especially irritating since others have had the 'easy street' in the past and gone from 0 to 375 overnight.

Heck, since they took away the ability to get any xp from crafting at higher levels (and unless they take my suggestion above), just make anyone who gets to the point where nothing they craft makes xp for them anymore, go instantly to level 400 and be done with it.

First of all I do agree with you that they should offer new recipes at 310, 320, 330 and 340 to make up for the loss of the 31-34 bound shards and 360, 370, 380, 390 to make up for the loss of the unbound 31-34 shards. I also understand completely why you are so frustrated your crafting got stalled during a bonus weekend - that sucks.

Once they fix the issue (which is truthfully a lack of level 350 recipes more than anything else) they should tack on a crafting xp bonus to whatever the normal weekend bonus is.

I think you should consider what those of us that did level up to 400 are saying. It's simply not worth it. If you have an alt account you are better off having a bound crafter on both accounts. If you have a friend that needs help with items it's better to get them essences so they can craft on their own. Unbound crafting itself isn't a super great goal since unless you have a dedicated crafter that never TRs you will never have 100% chance on unbound shards. If you reach it - as soon as you tr you lose it as the bonuses from previous successes are erased and reset.

Not that it was super difficult to figure out, but I was the first person to identify and share with the community that leveling up with minimum level shards was the best way to level up with the new system. Even back then when the 31-34 shards were available it was NEVER easy to get to level 400. I 100% cheesed it on an alt account by using an old free lesser +20 on an obsolete human alt and turning him into an artificer then taking the mark of making which grants a bunch of bonus crafting levels to push my unbound crafter to 400 without actually earning it. I've crafted a few things for people upon request but always encouraged them to level up their own crafting. I haven't crafted any unbound shards in years.

If you happen to be human you can take the mark of making to get you to 350 and continue leveling then drop it when you are passed the 350 hurdle. Otherwise when you TR the crafting bonuses will reset and you can continue leveling up again.

If you get to crafting level 400, congrats in advance on achieving something that you almost certainly will regret wasting resources on. I would use this opportunity to consider stopping at 343 and just focusing on bta crafting.


It is indeed funny that no one who replies here notices that you clearly say what the problem is and comprehend that your point to take away the 4 recipes for the power level 31-34 shards is indeed a nerf for leveling your Cannith Crafting.
For all who still don't get it, the problem is after you get ZERO experience anymore on any shard (UNBOUND!) you are still not allowed to craft level 400 recipes (0% chance) this means there is a big cap you cannot pass with normal means.

It isn't that people didn't notice, it's just that anyone with any decency at all would try to talk the OP out of pursuing unbound crafting.

I previously raised this issue long ago and the real issue is the lack of level 350 shards - it's a dead zone. They need to add some level 350 recipes or add 8 replacement recipes for the loss of recipes at 310, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380, 390.

[Chacka_DDO]

It isn't that people didn't notice, it's just that anyone with any decency at all would try to talk the OP out of pursuing unbound crafting.

I previously raised this issue long ago and the real issue is the lack of level 350 shards - it's a dead zone. They need to add some level 350 recipes or add 8 replacement recipes for the loss of recipes at 310, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380, 390.

One can see it differently but in my opinion, it is basically good that you can train to craft mostly only with Cannith essences and no need for collectibles.
Some may say it is too easy others find even this too hard and it is not that easy to decide.

Therefore I cannot say you are wrong at all but the point is basically that the situation is now even worse than you describe. The lack of recipes in that level range extended into a real gap that is from all that I know currently not possible to overcome without the "trick" I described (there are also other possible but in my opinion less efficient ways).

One possible solution for this problem is to change the recipes for the level shards so that you get enough experience and the level 20-30 unbound shards should have a higher crafting level.
Of course, the gap will close after we have a higher maximum character level past level 30, and with that hopefully also once again (and soon) level 34 and higher shards, it is even possible to introduce such shards already now just only for leveling crafting without a use (for now).

To add some new recipes or change the level of some existing recipes that use collectables is certainly also possible but then it is harder to train to craft as it was before U50 and yet again, the question is if we want that?

It would be also good if flexible shards return and such shards could also have higher crafting levels past level 300 for BTA shards.

By the way, I would like to see much more flexibility in DDO in general when it comes to items.
In my opinion, named, random loot, and crafting should be made compatible with each other and the backbone of this new system should be effect shards and items basically exactly like Cannith crafting works.
Crafting extended on named and random loot (you find named effect shards like you find named augments now and random effect shards like you find non-named augments now).
Of course, you could still find complete named items also with this new system but it should be possible to adapt them to your own special needs.
But I rather don't go further into details because it's already too long anyway.

[Oxarhamar]

While this is absolutely true, it shouldn't be the ONLY way to progress. If one WANTS to level to 400, the system should allow it is the point.

Absolutely

All the advice not to level to 400 is not helpful

The system is broken

[elvesunited]

It took me a lot of grind to get a character to max crafting. I didn't do it right and got caught in a dead zone where crafting provided nearly no xp and to took a lot to dig my way out.

When I helped my wife get her character to max crafting. I used the free crafting xp potion, 40 thousand essences, a lot of crafting boosting hammers. And I got her character to max crafting in half an hour.

If I knew then what I know now I would have started the crafting xp process on an alt who had never crafted before. It would have been far easier.

[SerPounce]

I think you should consider what those of us that did level up to 400 are saying. It's simply not worth it. If you have an alt account you are better off having a bound crafter on both accounts. If you have a friend that needs help with items it's better to get them essences so they can craft on their own. Unbound crafting itself isn't a super great goal since unless you have a dedicated crafter that never TRs you will never have 100% chance on unbound shards.

I basically agree, but I do like the unbound items I have that I can use on any account and keep in the guild chest.

[gravisrs]

Wait till Isle of Dread lvl cap raise to 32. Those recipes [ML:31/32] will be back.

Meanwhile you can gain 2-3 crafting lvls each TR (which reset "exhausted" recipes) easily.

But OP is right, it was nice to live in better times of DDO :)

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

I can agree with the OP's heavy frustration insofar, as there is a "big nothing" from I think level 150 on.

There simply is NOTHING AT ALL that is worth crafting - or learning.

Usually, Levelling in crafting goes like this :

*Ding* You have advanced into a new level !

"Yay ! I can craft a new thing ! Hooray !!"


That goes on until level 150 or so (don't remember anmore when it started), when there comes The Big Nothing". Nothing new. Nothing at all.
And thus ... No motivation to advance even further into levels of crafting !

And yes, I *do* know that there are scaling prefixes and suffixes ... - scaling into EVERY new level ... But that's not my point.
The "Big Nothing" is like a sea without any wind going on. The only way forward is being pushed by the waves ... But there is no land in sight, nothing. Only blue above, blue beyond, and blue inside.

There simply is no sign of progress. Nowghere, Nothing. At all.

My goess is that I'll get another "Eureka " moment at level 250 or so ... But until ten, it's just a pain.

(I'm at level 163 now, and in fully within that "Big Sea Of Nothing" ...)

[slarden]

One can see it differently but in my opinion, it is basically good that you can train to craft mostly only with Cannith essences and no need for collectibles.
Some may say it is too easy others find even this too hard and it is not that easy to decide.

Therefore I cannot say you are wrong at all but the point is basically that the situation is now even worse than you describe. The lack of recipes in that level range extended into a real gap that is from all that I know currently not possible to overcome without the "trick" I described (there are also other possible but in my opinion less efficient ways).

One possible solution for this problem is to change the recipes for the level shards so that you get enough experience and the level 20-30 unbound shards should have a higher crafting level.
Of course, the gap will close after we have a higher maximum character level past level 30, and with that hopefully also once again (and soon) level 34 and higher shards, it is even possible to introduce such shards already now just only for leveling crafting without a use (for now).

To add some new recipes or change the level of some existing recipes that use collectables is certainly also possible but then it is harder to train to craft as it was before U50 and yet again, the question is if we want that?

It would be also good if flexible shards return and such shards could also have higher crafting levels past level 300 for BTA shards.

By the way, I would like to see much more flexibility in DDO in general when it comes to items.
In my opinion, named, random loot, and crafting should be made compatible with each other and the backbone of this new system should be effect shards and items basically exactly like Cannith crafting works.
Crafting extended on named and random loot (you find named effect shards like you find named augments now and random effect shards like you find non-named augments now).
Of course, you could still find complete named items also with this new system but it should be possible to adapt them to your own special needs.
But I rather don't go further into details because it's already too long anyway.

I don't disagree, but it was never possible to level up with just essences for unbound crafting. Beyond that, the last 20 levels are much worse than the first 380 and will require extensive mats and perfected dragonshards. The OP should fully understand this and also how useless having 400 crafting levels is. There is little if any demand for unbound shards and you are doing friends a disservice by not helping them raise their own bound crafting level high enough.

There are people that literally want to achieve everything in the game - go for it. It's just the most pointless achievement in the game and quite expensive. As far as I can tell the grind to 400 is by design, but the current issue the OP brings up is not - the level 350 deadzone which is more apparent with the dropping of the 8 level 31-34 shards, but this problem always existed for people that didn't use crafting xp potions to level up - it's not new. With the loss of those shards it's now an issue for everyone.



If I knew then what I know now I would have started the crafting xp process on an alt who had never crafted before. It would have been far easier. Absolutely fantastic point. If the op is starting this on a playing character it would be much better to start over and do this on a dead alt or new character.

If you do this on a playing character every time you TR the % bonuses you gain on the recipes above 400 will reset.

I was fortunate to have a human 20 with a free lesser +20, but if you don't quite honestly I would roll up an alt human 1 artificer, level up to 380 then quickly level him to 20 (so easy as a first lifer and artificers are good for heroic leveling) taking mark of making along the way for the other 20 crafting levels.

I did this on alt, but a few days of getting to 20 is much better than burning so many mats going from 380 to 400.

It's very obvious who the experienced crafters are here - this point is crucial.

[Oxarhamar]

What is obvious is that the crafting system is broken