Droid Engineer Archive

Once droids actually become useful, and the good combat droids are introduced, and we have a thriving market for our product....

The uber PAs on the server will powerskill up their 10th account as a DE and cut us out anyway, thus completing the cycle?

I do.

Only if the Devs allow us to make droids that actually stand toe-to-toe with the highest level creatures.

If creature pets still "pwn" over all other pets, things won't change for us.

/bow

Respectfully,

I'm sure they will, but it'll take time. Alot of it. Grinding up a DE isn't an overnight affair, due mainly to the huge volume of resources it takes.

Yeah, what I'm saying is assume for a minute they do that. They make droids highly desireable for a variety of reasons.... I think right after that you'll see a 1000% increase in the number of DEs and competition will be everywhere. That will suck for those of us who stuck it out during the bad times.

But make no mistake it will happen.

I was a Nightshade at release in DAoC. People used to laugh, and offer condolences. I was one of about 5 on a server of 1500+ players. I couldn't get groups because nobody wanted Nightshades. Everyone knew they were terrible. I stuck it out anyway.

Then one day the fixes came. Everyone and their dog rolled a Nightshade.... it was a sad sad time.

I fear the same will happen here. One of the reasons I'm loving this profession is because it's rare. It's special. There are so few and the bonds are stronger.

With loving comes "teh ubar kiddie" influx. Just look at CH. I just wonder if the rest of you know that or think about it.

Sly,

Maybe we could request that all current DEs (when the fixes start to roll) get more experimentation points than those that rush into the profession if/when the time comes.

Or something similar...

I kind of doubt it.

I think your best bet will be to try to develop such a strong business and following on your server that the PAs will simply decide it's easier just to buy in bulk from you.

/bow

Respectfully,

I agree that's what we all want to do, but of course we both know that some PAs will simply use mule accounts no matter what. They won't even blink about the cost to skill up or the time, they'll just do it so they don't have to interact with anyone else.

Sad, but true.

I think you are right - but -two points to consider.

1. The big PA's already have a master DE. He may not get much use, but I have little doubt but that they are out there for the big PA's.


2. The key to being a good droid merchant is toing to be in your name and reputation. If you are sticking it out now, and give good customer service, and do an honest business, people will remember your name, and will often refer customers to you.

So, I wouldn't fear too much.

I'm split on this. So long as DE doesn't turn into a combat class, like many people here want it to be (ie DE should be able to control everything they make, which I believe is a bad thing) then you won't get the huge interest in it anyway. Certs are the way to control this so that those that want millions of combat droids get them and continue to be combat characters (eg commando/squad leader would be perfect places for the certs), leaving those that want to be pure crafters to knock them out by the crate load. Sure a few might pick up an extra account, but that account would only be producing droids and not using it for combat. The key really is controlling who is a combat character and not. By far the majority want to do combat, thus the real popularity of CH right now. If DE does get to control every droid they make, then DE will turn into another CH. Thus why I am so hellbent on pushing for a certification system in place and for DEs to not be able to control everything they make.

The point you are making is moot.

If Image Designers were suddenly the lastest rage should the current Image Designers be compentsated? No.

The designers will say just because people jump from profession to profession they are being penialized by having to grind their way up.

Yes we will have a nice month or so when we get our rightful fixes, but just like CH we will get saturated with the fly by night DEs and when the next craze hits we will again be dropped like a bad habit.

Just look forward to that one glorious month.

I have to agree that I favor some sort of cert system.

There was one posted a while back that was based on the total number of skill points spent (on ANY profession) that would allow anyone to use the high level droids, and not turn DE into a combat class (which it SHOULD NOT BE).

Yes, I want to be able to use my own high end droids. But if DE becomes a combat class, we won't be able to sell anything, and will therefore not be able to support our harvesters, etc.

These a difference between the current DE's and PA's that powerlevel up to make some quick cash. We have customer's and most of us are well know on our servers. Our droids might not sell much anymore but people still recommend you to other people. Latley my buisness has started picking up and as i mingle in town i make more friends(potential customers). So honestly i dont think well be undercut.

I have never been in a PA and have had no trouble with business even with my gimped driods. It builds exponentially from refferals.

Well the advantage is being high up on the skill tree the *DAY* that future uber patch goes in, so you will have a nice jump on the grinders..

Kamayyk

Master Artisan

DE 4-3-0-4