07-16-2003, 08:09 PM
1. Actually, I expect a lot of duping, but the "low-profile" variety (ie Ebay powersellers, not the random Battle.net jackass). Currently already massive bug lists for the beta show that the patch needs a lot more coding attention, so I expect security to be problematic as before. On the other hand, I believe that dupers will refrain from hacking items, which will probably be detected more easily. I think runes will be duped a lot, coupled with cubing which will generate new IDs for all runes.
Regarding people not trading some stuff, this will be true to some extent, but then again, people might want to part from their newly found uber items for extremely rare runes that will allow them to finish some of the most impressive runewords.
2. I don't see that much improved demand for crafting... After all, except for nearly impossible to wear stuff (level 85%+ Blood rings, +2 skill amulets), crafting generally yields better results at Clvl 52 (against level 90 monsters, so perhaps Clvl 56 or 60 in 1.10). There are no new recipes, so except for weapons which will be viable, the same stuff will be crafted (rings, amulets, caster belts, Hitpower Gloves, Blood Gloves). On the other hand, expect to see more Blood rings and amulets, as it's now possible to cube Sol and Amn runes using lower grade runes.
3. Definitely agreed for runes, especially since runes will now have a fixed scale of value (ie 2 Cham = 1 Zod, unless in 1.09 were the values were basically the same for the top runes (Jah, Ber, Cham, Zod)). Gems will be the currency for low-end stuff. I think popular runes will be the ones for the upgrade item recipes.
4. Perhaps the top sets will not be readily available, but I'm not sure. It seems (from reports from people playing in Hell) that elite items drop much, much more often. In 1.09 the problem wasn't MF, but getting the damn TCs to drop. So after the first month, I think some good supply of high-end gold/green items will be available.
5. Ebay prices will definitely skyrocket, thus driving the demand for duping methods. See 1.
6. As a currency, the SoJ is already nearly dead in 1.09. We may have to wait for the "World Event" to unfold before making guesses on the SoJ value.
7. An easy guess, since chips are dead in 1.10. :P I believe that low-level, high quality stuff (Sigon's, Death Set...) will carry a very nice price tag in HC, and much less in SC after a few weeks.
8. I agree, there will be a nice market for good rares, fueled by runes as currency.
9. Eh. Old blacksmiths never die, but they don't fade away nicely either.
Regarding people not trading some stuff, this will be true to some extent, but then again, people might want to part from their newly found uber items for extremely rare runes that will allow them to finish some of the most impressive runewords.
2. I don't see that much improved demand for crafting... After all, except for nearly impossible to wear stuff (level 85%+ Blood rings, +2 skill amulets), crafting generally yields better results at Clvl 52 (against level 90 monsters, so perhaps Clvl 56 or 60 in 1.10). There are no new recipes, so except for weapons which will be viable, the same stuff will be crafted (rings, amulets, caster belts, Hitpower Gloves, Blood Gloves). On the other hand, expect to see more Blood rings and amulets, as it's now possible to cube Sol and Amn runes using lower grade runes.
3. Definitely agreed for runes, especially since runes will now have a fixed scale of value (ie 2 Cham = 1 Zod, unless in 1.09 were the values were basically the same for the top runes (Jah, Ber, Cham, Zod)). Gems will be the currency for low-end stuff. I think popular runes will be the ones for the upgrade item recipes.
4. Perhaps the top sets will not be readily available, but I'm not sure. It seems (from reports from people playing in Hell) that elite items drop much, much more often. In 1.09 the problem wasn't MF, but getting the damn TCs to drop. So after the first month, I think some good supply of high-end gold/green items will be available.
5. Ebay prices will definitely skyrocket, thus driving the demand for duping methods. See 1.
6. As a currency, the SoJ is already nearly dead in 1.09. We may have to wait for the "World Event" to unfold before making guesses on the SoJ value.
7. An easy guess, since chips are dead in 1.10. :P I believe that low-level, high quality stuff (Sigon's, Death Set...) will carry a very nice price tag in HC, and much less in SC after a few weeks.
8. I agree, there will be a nice market for good rares, fueled by runes as currency.
9. Eh. Old blacksmiths never die, but they don't fade away nicely either.