Retainer upgrades, Market improvements, and World Market instead of AH
The following proposals are meant to address storage concerns, buying/ selling issues, market stands and search tool useability, and the disconnect/ neglect of Limsa Lominsa/ Gridania market wards. I would like to thank Rentahamster, Origamikitsune, and Amineri specifically for their ideas that inspired me regarding these matters.
Easy to Understand- click me! (diagram summarizing main points)
Retainers
Several upgrades are now purchasable for each retainer in your service. The level of retainers increases with each additional option package as shown:
LVL - Cost (gil) ; Benefit
1 - Free ; standard
2 - (250,000) ; additional storage (25 slots)
3 - (100,000) ; ability to set a comment for shoppers, (5) additional bazaar slots, (8) slots for customizing appearance with equipable gear seperate from bazaar slots if desired, Transaction history displayed for personal retainers and running sale price given when searching for items in each city or on the World Market
4 - (150,000) ; World Market License
5 - (500,000) ; retainer storage shared among characters on same account and same server
Quote:
Originally Posted by
origamikitsune
I'd say add retainer level = quest, which gives you access to the ability to purchase. Quests = content, which this game needs. I'd even be happy if they were as involved and pricey as the 11 gobby bag quests, since the game also needs gil sinks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Amineri
Some additional suggestions I have regarding possible abilities for retainers:
a) Linkpearl to allow talking to retainer. At first allows only viewing of items still in retainer bazaar.
b) Later, allow moving of items between retainer inventory and bazaar via linkpearl.
c) Still later, allow direction of retainer to a specific Market Area without having to "hold their hand".
Market Wards
Changes to the search tool include:
*Optional HQ filter returning 5 cheapest of each quality
*Gear listed on retainers in wards requesting repairs now searchable by Disciple of Hand class
*Ability to select a single retainer to mark and automatically transport to appropriate ward after confirmation. (AoE toggle button switches between single and multiple selection)
Ex: You are in Ul'dah and want to buy 20 Willow Logs to cut into lumber and grind up your carpentry by pumping out 80 masks. You first check the World Market and find the cheapest listing is for 2000gil each. Coincidentally, the retainer selling those logs is located in Ul'dah (since selling logs on the World Market from Gridania would impose an additional tax the player would likely chose to set up shop in Ul'dah or Limsa Lominsa) and to avoid paying the convienence fee associated with using the instant delivery World Market, you instead use the existing item search. Since you already know which retainer you want to purchase from, you mark only that specific retainer and travel directly to the appropriate Ward.
Changes to Stands in market wards:
*Renting a stand now allows your retainer to buy and sell on the World Market
*Rentals last for (48) hours
*Renting a stand requires that your retainer is Level 4+ (has World Market License)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Amineri
Also suggest:
a) Ability to search for items that retainers are requesting to purchase.
b) More stall customization, please !
World Market (instead of Auction House)
Market stands of all cities are connected by the World Market.
*When listing items for sale on the World Market there will be a (10%) additional tax penatly if the market stand is rented in a city containing the corresponding guild
Ex: shards = Alchemist guild = extra tax selling on World Market from Ul'dah
Ex: Sheepskin = Leatherworker guild = extra tax selling on World Market from Gridania
*When selling items on the World Market not represented by a city guild, no additional tax is required
Ex: shards = Alchemist guild = No extra tax on World Market from Limsa Lomina or Gridania
*Browsing the World Market is now available by interacting with NPC located in each city
*Players may claim purchased items (immediately) at (120% listed cost, extra 20% covering shipping and handling)
*Players may search through a comprehensive item list on the World Market and select an item(s) they wish for their level 4+ retainer to actively seek purchase at specified gil reward. Searching of such requests would be permitted through use of the same desk-bound NPC. These requests each occupy one slot of the retainer's available bazaar.
Ex: You want to buy a +1 Iron Saw for 95,000 gil. The only one for sale in Ul'dah is posted at 250,000gil. You rent a market stand and set your retainer to seek purchase of a +1 Iron Saw for 95,000 gil. Two days later someone searching purchase orders sees your request and grabs their +1 Iron Saw that hasn't sold off their retainer. They fill your purchase order and recieve 95,000 gil. The saw is waiting for you on your retainer.
*No requirement exists for players wishing to use this NPC for browsing/purchasing or filling a purchase order.
Ex: You are new to the game and just starting to work up your gathering skills. You can't yet afford to sell on the World Market, but you see that someone across the world is selling a Willow Fishing Rod for half the cost of the ones in Ul'dah. You make the purchase and head out to do some fishing.
Finally, I appreciate your time spent considering these alterations to the existing Retainer/ Market Ward systems, and the integration of a new World Market to add depth and unity to an already wonderful economy in Eorzea.
Another thread by Amineri can be seen here regarding an AH which contains some very rational and well-thought ideas to consider.
This idea was originally posted in general discussion.