There may be something I have not considered, but I cannot think of any realistic way to use the extra 50 (or 100 if you were not using the 5% gathering ability) for any real gain.

The 5% gathering ability covers the 95% to 100% gap quite nicely. The only abilities that affect Collecting, that cost 100 GP or less, are Last Ditch (50 GP), Utmost Caution (100 GP), Clear Vision (50 GP), Sharp Vision (50 GP), Sharp Vision 2 (100 GP), and the Botany equivalents. Of those, three (Clear Vision, Sharp Vision, sharp Vision 2) add to your chance of successfully Gathering the Collectible, and Clear Vision is for one swing only at that.


The only possible real boost for having 700 GP I can think of is using Utmost Caution on an Instinctual Appraisal, replacing the Methodical Appraisal that takes place in some rotations. That adds an element of risk, but may potentially let you gather items one tier higher.

Given the costs of abilities, I think the best use for 700 GP may be dropping one of the Discerning Eye or Single Mind casts in a rotation, and using Deep Breath somehow. But I cannot think of any way to use Deep Breath in any serious rotation.

Personally, I suspect the next real Collecting breakpoint is going to be 800/850 GP. That's the point where a current rotation can have another Single Mind thrown in, for another item gathered.