Influence Sink: IO Level Modification/Recrafting

I originally posted this idea in the Market/IO forum (see http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=214016). Reception was positive, so I'm reposting the idea here. If that's a no-no, I'm fine with the mods moving/merging threads.

What if the existing invention tables allowed you to change the level of already crafted IO?

Essentially, tweak the system so that an existing IO is a component for building a new IO, just like a recipe or piece of salvage; the IO destroyed and the new IO produced are the same kind of IO, but a different level. Something like:

Lvl 48 Obliteration: A/D/R/E + 2M Inf + Mathematic Proof = Lvl 50 Obliteration

Of course this doesn't have to be one-way; say you really want one of a lower level:

Lvl 44 Obliteration: A/D/R/E + 11M Inf + Inert Gas = Lvl 33 Obliteration: A/D/R/E

I picked 1M per level of change here because it was a nice even number. Maybe that's too much, maybe it's not enough, that could be discussed. Either way, I think it should be scaled by rarity; something like 100k/level for Pool A, 250k/level for Pool B, 1M/level for Pool C.

Some possible benefits I could see:

1. Devs don't have to change existing methods of drops or merit/ticket rolls

2. Greater availability for IO at different levels. Yes, 50s may still churn out level 50 recipes and craft level 50 enhancements. But they don't have to stay that way.

3. An evening out of recipe/IO [market] costs by level. If a L49 can be converted to a L50 for 1M, the price of the L49 shouldn't be extraordinarily lower than the L50.

4. It's minor, but if it would require salvage it could increase demand, if only *very* slightly.

5. We need influence sinks. Anything that gets inf out of the system is good, right? Maybe the crafting fee here isn't even steep enough and should be more. Either way, this is something that would be geared toward those with inf (or possibly those wanting to make their products more attractive on the market).


Any thoughts? I'm looking for possible drawbacks/exploits, and I'm curious what the effect on the market could be with such a system. There may be consequences I haven't fully thought out.[/QUOTE]

These were some questions that popped up in the other thread.

This sounds like a good way to make IOs available at more levels than they are on the market. Would this soley be for IOs or would specialized enhancements like those in Mr Yin's store and the Hydra Origin enhancements be eligible?

/signed.

Great idea.

I like it. I think that it would probably need a few tweaks, but I think it would be a good idea overall. I'm almost more tempted, from an influence sink perspective, to allow you to do it with enhancements that are already slotted, but I'm willing to bet that's a no go for a couple of reasons:

1) The new enhancements would likely have to be put into your enhancement tray, and not into a power, like when combining SOs, so it would be a way to unstick IO enhancements from powers (maybe that's a good thing?).

2) I'm not sure if the recipes can check on items in your powers, versus your 'inventory' slots.

3) Would really cramp up the crafting interface with a ton of recipes, unless there was a separate tab for upgrades.


If #1 isn't a problem, it might actually help out the market a bit, as I believe that it would allow for more items to be placed back into the market. For instance, if I'm taking a set of Mako's Bite, and wanting to replace it with a Hecatomb, I could modify each of the Mako's Bites, fill in the new empty spots with the Hecatomb, and place the Mako's Bites onto the market. This would almost be a double influence sink, as there would be even more influence lost due to market fees.

Replied in the Market Forum.....now reaffirmed here....I love this idea. One of the best suggestions I've seen from a player. It's something I would use, and use often. Probably for the betterment of the game.

Fascinating idea - definitely /signed!

Please PM the devs!

I think it should be (inf + [desired level's salvage requirements]), instead of (inf + [one piece of salvage]).

So, I have a level 37 LotG +Rech. I craft it, and later on decide I want it in my exemplar build, which is optimized for level 33. So I can drop my recipe by four levels for 4 million inf, Demonic Blood Sample, Circuit Board, Mutant DNA Strand, Mu Vestment, and Deific Weapon.

While it's more to craft the item than it would be, it's far FAR cheaper than it would be to ticket, merit, or market purchase. (Plus much less time involved, which is a plus for impatient people.) And requiring all of the salvage required to craft it at that level makes more sense than requiring one random salvage, which is what your OP sounds like.

Of course, there are some recipes that it will make more sense to buy the new version of instead of recraft (I'm looking at you, mez/snipe recipes).

Otherwise, great suggestion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dispari I don't know why Dink thinks she's not as sexy as Jay was. In 5 posts she's already upstaged his entire career.

i like the suggestion, /signed

I do wonder if it would make some IO sets a little bit too available/easy to get... but it would ease up some of the supply problems we see. I'm still mystified as to why you can designate a level for when you are rolling for recipes with merits, to be honest. I'd rather see that instead, but if that was making things too easy (from the dev's point of view), this would be a fine other option.

And yeah, influence sinks are needed. I just hope they wouldn't overprice the recipe change costs. For instance, influence to prestige rates are ridiculous, or I'd gladly use that influence sink for the personal SGs I have on two servers.

as I said in the first thread. I like the basis of the suggestion, the costs may need to be tweaked, but this would address some of the gaps in pool C drops caused by merits.

I love this idea. It's almost impossible to find IOs on the Black Market at my level, and this would make those mid level builds so much easier...

As long as it was only available on unslotted IOs this would be awesome.

I like it!

/SIGNED

100k or 1mil a lvl either way sounds like a good way to go.

As I said in the Market forum, excellent idea!

This is an absolutely fantastic idea. /signed infinity +1.

One of the best ideas I've seen in a long long time.

I agree with the rest here, this is a great idea and I really see no downside. Something like this would make me use my second build

Great idea!!

I can't see any downside to this. People get the exact level IO they want and more Inf gets destroyed in the process.

I like it. I'd definitely use this myself if it was possible.

way to raise the dead.....

/signed Totally Excellent Idea !