[dev1016] Crafting ability evaluation

[Kallera]

I've not seen anything mentioning this, so here goes...

I'm not sure about everyone else's experience in crafting with the abilities acquired through guilds especially, but mine are terrible. None of them seem to be working as intended and I'd like to see some info that things are at least being looked at. I know there is mention of new synthesis info in the next producer's letter, but it could be anything other than changes to the abilities.

Examples:

• Abilities such as resolution and sublimation not improving quality gains
• High Return actually yielding quite low returns
• No success with abilities during item synthesis 10+ levels below (why constant fails on white orb with maker's muse/fulfillment/ingenuity on a recipe much lower than your rank?)

These are just a few that I've used myself and have become frustrated with. At times you'll get the occassional success with one of the higher level abilities, but majority of the time you would be better off not to even have equipped them. This sucks because I actually like crafting, but it drives me crazy to fail synths when I know I should be able to complete them with the help of these cool sounding abilities.

What are some of your experiences or thoughts on this?

You wouldn't believe some of the breaks I've had. =) basically, if a recepie tells you it needs guild support, don't fight it.

While on one I appreciate the randomness of not being able +3 everything. Its gotten to the point where I can't trust rapid synth anymore (its practically my "I fail' button.)

On the other hand, I've been able to do HQs on gear above my level, like gangstaworking.

At least, I'd like info on how the purchasable abilities work, after all, we are learning aincient guild secrets!

[Tabion]

I have no problems using abilities or sythesis support, abilities are not he be all to end all of crafting. If you go into a synthesis that requires say Boneworking Training and you do not have the book, you automatically have a 25% chance of not completing the synthesis. I have seen abilities like Preserve which seems to keep your synthesis in a stable color for 6 turns help, same with the Makers Muse ability when used under the right conditions. I have seen some leves or synthesis require all 3 to be completed successfully. Usually I use Master Craftsmanship + Book + Abilities if a book is called for, or just master Craftsmanship + Abilities if no book is called for.

That's just the thing ... I have the guild support, I have the training, and I have the abilities that should add to my success percentage. I'd say these abilities are pretty important given the randomness of crafting in general. It's one thing if I was clearly out of my league and failed, but when you are talking about things at your rank or below and they aren't doing what they are supposed to, somethin' is wrong there. I'm not saying things need to work 100% of the time just because it says it can do something, but when you fail all 3-4 attempts AND have perfect orb condition, then yeah... Not to sound like an ass, but do you have any of the higher level purchasable guildmark abilities?

You wouldn't believe some of the breaks I've had. =) basically, if a recepie tells you it needs guild support, don't fight it.

While on one I appreciate the randomness of not being able +3 everything. Its gotten to the point where I can't trust rapid synth anymore (its practically my "I fail' button.)

On the other hand, I've been able to do HQs on gear above my level, like gangstaworking.

At least, I'd like info on how the purchasable abilities work, after all, we are learning aincient guild secrets!

I like the randomness of it, too. I also like the small sense of control you feel overall in the crafting process. I feel like the abilities provide a good portion of that control, and some of them aren't performing well. But maybe you're right, there could just be something about these things we don't know.