Do something about the AH and lower level gear????

[chubrocka]

I give up... It is a shame that we cant try to solve something with "SE" without having children play there games. Good luck players. When the game is gone, thank yourselves and remember those elders you didnt listen too...

[Olor]

I just don't understand why people who don't want to help the problem (by crafting and creating supply) don't support the idea of fixing the problem through game design (making crafting more accessible to new players/adding items to npcs)

[Olor]

Also - I like how people are acting like it is oh-so-easy to find a crafter who will take the time to make things for you...

[Fiarlia]

Seriously?

Apparently new people being able to find a crafter is super hard too, despite having more tools than years ago.

Seems like nobody arguing for the helping of new players has any confidence in them whatsoever. =/

[cidbahamut]

Also - I like how people are acting like it is oh-so-easy to find a crafter who will take the time to make things for you...

Gather materials.
Shout in any city.
Get gear.

Alternative: Find a good linkshell.

[Flunklesnarkin]

you can also search for crafters by server on ffxiah...

just point in click to w/e parameters you want.. ie. lvl 100 bonecraft / bismarck server and click.. you get all the results.. a lot of people use that website.

[Greatguardian]

If someone walks up to me with materials and is actually polite and willing to accept a "No" if I'm busy, I generally wouldn't mind crafting something for them.

The issue is people tend to feel a strong sense of entitlement around crafters. It's plenty easy to find one if you're polite, non-intrusive, take no for an answer when it's given, and you actually thank/tip the crafter afterwards for their time. Crafters aren't obligated to do anything for anyone. More often than not, even if someone is polite in requesting the use of a craft, they get really annoying and self-righteous if the crafter they ask turns them down. "Why can't you just take 5 minutes to do it?" "Pleeeeeeeeaaaase?" "You're such a jackass for not helping me."

It's simply a matter of people asking other people for a favor. You have to show them respect if you want any in turn. If I'm busy and turn down a request to make something, and the person is actually not a total twat about it (This has happened maybe once in my entire playtime =/), I'll contact them when I'm no longer busy and see if they still need anything. On the other hand, when people go twat-mode, I'll just proceed to ignore them in the future.

Proper etiquette regarding tips and thank yous is still important as well. Crafters put a lot of time and gil into their trade. Many people confuse the fact that most crafters don't specifically charge when you bring your own materials with not having to give them any gil. Sure, I won't force you to pay me to craft this for you, but it's common courtesy to tip those who are doing you a service. It is the playerbase's utter lack of etiquette in this area that has also discouraged the crafting base, and has forced many crafters to require a tip-like surcharge for their work in order to get anyone to tip them. This is especially true when someone brings in a large quantity of materials, taking a decent amount of time to make. The crafter is giving up their free time for the patron's benefit, it's only polite to remain considerate of that fact.

That said, I think the OP is being dense. Yes, the original point of the thread was to discuss measures to increase the armor supply that circumvent crafting. However, the Devs have always tried to be very careful when dealing with crafters and player-supplied goods. That's the entire point behind a player-driven economy. We may not be addressing your proposed solution, but we are directly addressing the cause. If there is a lack of armor on the AH, it is because the consumer is not willing to give the product a viable market. Make the market viable, then people will be willing to work in it.

[Flunklesnarkin]

Well its common sense too... don't harass somebody while they are fighting a NM or w/e..

if they are doing a boring ass magian trial.. or standing around town though.. they might be more receptive.

[Fiarlia]

Also don't get pissed if they don't answer immediately, could be afk.

[Olor]

you can also search for crafters by server on ffxiah...

just point in click to w/e parameters you want.. ie. lvl 100 bonecraft / bismarck server and click.. you get all the results.. a lot of people use that website.

Oh, see I didn't know this... and I do use xiah and wiki a lot. Thanks for the info. That said - do people really expect new players to know where to look for all of this stuff? I mean seriously?