Worst A-Merit Roll Ever?
By
BashfulBanshee,
Posted on: 2010-09-30 06:10 in The Market and Inventions
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I got a set of five vendor trash recipes, but can't remember exactly which ones. All I recall is they were bad enough that I didn't even bother checking most of their prices on the market, since I knew offhand it'd be 23 for sale, 0 bidding with a historical peak of 5k.
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Originally Posted by Reptlbrain
Finally bothered to get my first low-level A-Merit roll (all others 40+), and lemme tell you, that was 20 million well-spent.
2 Tempest Chance for End Drain 23 1 Aegis End/Rech 25 1 Ghost Widow's Acc/Rech/Hold 23 1 Impeded Swiftness End/Rech/Slow 23 Sure, I suppose I could've gotten Dark Watcher's Despair Rech/End, or either of the Debilitative Actions, but this is collectively the godawfulest roll I ever saw. Anyone got worse? |
Having Vengeance and Fallout slotted for recharge means never having to say you're sorry.
the one A-merit I've managed to roll generated roughly 2 million in profit, and I had to craft the only halfway decent recipe to even get that.
=(
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Can't you just buy specific Recipies for 1 or 2 A-Merits?
I mean why roll 5 when you could buy 2 LOTG or Miracles and 1 Performance Shifter or Achilles Heel, or am I misunderstanding how they work?
Why would you roll them? Do they have a chance of giving purples via rolls?
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For those who roll, it's because you can get 5 randoms for 1 A-merit. The LotG 7.5's and the various uniques, plus a variety of other orange recipes, cost 2 A-merits each. Others just cost 1, but you can't get more than one thing of choice with a single A-merit. Rolling randomly, you have a chance at getting multiple good things. You also have a chance at getting the kind of dreck the OP found in his tray after rolling, though. It only takes one random roll with 2 LotG 7.5's and a Miracle: +recovery to make up for a lot of trash rolls, but that's the gambler's fallacy talking. You have a LOT more trash rolls than you do rolls with even one of the truly valuable recipes, let alone multiples - but that's what people are rolling for.|
Originally Posted by Carnifax_NA
Can't you just buy specific Recipies for 1 or 2 A-Merits?
I mean why roll 5 when you could buy 2 LOTG or Miracles and 1 Performance Shifter or Achilles Heel, or am I misunderstanding how they work? |
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| Do they have a chance of giving purples via rolls? |
My postings to this forum are not to be used as data in any research study without my express written consent.
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Originally Posted by EarthWyrm
For those who roll, it's because you can get 5 randoms for 1 A-merit. The LotG 7.5's and the various uniques, plus a variety of other orange recipes, cost 2 A-merits each. Others just cost 1, but you can't get more than one thing of choice with a single A-merit. Rolling randomly, you have a chance at getting multiple good things. You also have a chance at getting the kind of dreck the OP found in his tray after rolling, though. It only takes one random roll with 2 LotG 7.5's and a Miracle: +recovery to make up for a lot of trash rolls, but that's the gambler's fallacy talking. You have a LOT more trash rolls than you do rolls with even one of the truly valuable recipes, let alone multiples - but that's what people are rolling for.
No, they do not. |
Ah, I see. That makes sense. I thought it was 1 roll per merit.
I suppose given the recipe exchange rate (50 merits + 20 million is it?) could kinda make sense, 20 million for 2.5 rolls.
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And with the rolls weighted now, the chances of getting the good stuff are better. If LotGs had stayed at their pre-i18 prices, I wouldn't have hesitated to cash in for one of them instead of 10 random rolls, but as it is, I think the rolls give better cash on average. (Doesn't help that I'm thoroughly bored with the level 50 villain alignment missions, so the chances of me doing four days of them instead of two are slim.) I can't prove that, it's just my gut feeling plus general opinions that I've seen. I'd be interested to see some hard data.
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Originally Posted by EarthWyrm
For those who roll, it's because you can get 5 randoms for 1 A-merit. The LotG 7.5's and the various uniques, plus a variety of other orange recipes, cost 2 A-merits each. Others just cost 1, but you can't get more than one thing of choice with a single A-merit. Rolling randomly, you have a chance at getting multiple good things. You also have a chance at getting the kind of dreck the OP found in his tray after rolling, though. It only takes one random roll with 2 LotG 7.5's and a Miracle: +recovery to make up for a lot of trash rolls, but that's the gambler's fallacy talking. You have a LOT more trash rolls than you do rolls with even one of the truly valuable recipes, let alone multiples - but that's what people are rolling for.
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Having Vengeance and Fallout slotted for recharge means never having to say you're sorry.
I think rolling strategy also has to take into account whether you are rolling for straight marketing or are only marketing what you can't use.
Rampant alt-itis means I have a lot of needs in a lot of sets so many things are of use that might be vendor trash to a straight market roll.
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They're weighted by usefulness (in terms of how many powers can slot them), though, not popularity. There was a thread a while back that broke down the weighting based on a ton of random rolls on test, but I'm not sure if it's still around. The weighting makes it less likely to get janky stuff like snipe sets and mezzes, and more likely to get things like melee damage sets. I don't recall (and could certainly be wrong) the "premium" recipes being weighted all that high - just higher than the stuff that has always been trash.|
Originally Posted by Kelenar
And with the rolls weighted now, the chances of getting the good stuff are better. If LotGs had stayed at their pre-i18 prices, I wouldn't have hesitated to cash in for one of them instead of 10 random rolls, but as it is, I think the rolls give better cash on average. (Doesn't help that I'm thoroughly bored with the level 50 villain alignment missions, so the chances of me doing four days of them instead of two are slim.) I can't prove that, it's just my gut feeling plus general opinions that I've seen. I'd be interested to see some hard data.
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I've been looking for hard data since the new issue dropped, and haven't had any luck.
The question you have to answer is, "If I roll randomly twice, do the 10 recipes I get sell on average for more than I could get for one minimum level LotG/minimum level Miracle/max level Kinetic Combat triple," or whatever the single most expensive recipe you can buy and sell on the market is. That seems to make the "break-point" somewhere in the 10-15 million per recipe range. I've not averaged 10-15 million per recipe when rolling with my 50s (I just vendored a stack of 4 Scirocco procs...), so I stopped. Without knowing the precise weightings for the premium recipes, I don't know for sure that it's the right decision.
I can see the follow-up point about rolling randomly to supply alts. However, I'd also point out that if you're supplying them with level 50 recipes, for a lot of Pool C the non-premium recipes can be had for a pittance at 50. So there's still more long-term benefit in buying a single guaranteed item, selling it for a lot of inf, and then buying all the things your alts need on the cheap.
Edited to add link to rare recipe weight project thread:
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=205760
My postings to this forum are not to be used as data in any research study without my express written consent.
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Or in this case, rolling to increase supply of pool Cs at lower levels (some good ones which would, of course, supply ME). If I were to earn any A-merits 45+, I would probably spend them on Kinetic Combats D/Es, though I haven't looked at prices recently.|
Originally Posted by DevilYouKnow
I think rolling strategy also has to take into account whether you are rolling for straight marketing or are only marketing what you can't use.
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With five or six A-Merit rolls so far--I've been far less obsessed with it than I would've predicted--I've scored 2 LotG +rech (both low 40s), so theoretically I've done better than break-even, though I have not added it up.
My alignment merit rolls have been colossal fail lately. One LotG in the last few weeks, and quite a few vendor trash procs or recipes that just aren't worth their crafting costs.
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Sorry for the misunderstanding. I am not rolling with my 50. I just buy as you are doing on that toon. (Although I am currently saving them up to buy super pricey stuff at specific levels for my alts)
I am rolling on my level locked 25,30 and 35. This yeilds a fair amount of choice items and quite a few things to slot with. Triples in melee and ranged for Frankenslotting, A few good market pieces that can take a while to sell, but an army of alts may as well vendor off that extra tri-aspect Trap of the Hunter. Took about 2 weeks but it sold for like 5 million I think. I put up the recipes for things that I can't make profit on unles it is totally valueless or there is 15 for sale already.
I didn't make a huge profit on it, it did make some profit.
Also, I actually enjoy the crafting process of putting all the pieces together and I like the idea that there are people who want those lower level IO's and can get them.
But that was a pretty bad roll. I would probably craft the Aegis if I could do it cheaply. A few of the others might sell better at 25 than 23 but all in all, not a great roll.
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All of them sold for <50k in recipe form, though the crafted Aegis is actually selling steady at 5 million (-2 million salvage costs), so it wasn't quite as wretched as first I thought. Because there weren't many for sale, I crafted and put up the non-procs. If everything sells it'll only be -16 million profit!
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Originally Posted by DevilYouKnow
But that was a pretty bad roll. I would probably craft the Aegis if I could do it cheaply. A few of the others might sell better at 25 than 23 but all in all, not a great roll.
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I bought 12 rolls from Minotaur once. He warned me in advance, "I get terrible random rolls" and boy was he right. I don't believe I have a record of it, but It Can Be Worse.
Mini-guides: Force Field Defenders, Blasters, Market Self-Defense, Frankenslotting.
So you think you're a hero, huh.
@Boltcutter in game.
Is anyone still rolling regular merits or is it just a waste of recipes?
Enjoy your day please.
Well, it's like paying 20 million to get 5 rolls at half price. So I guess for most of those who work the market, that could be a worthwhile investment.
I roll because I don't need influence. If I get unlucky and get complete trash, it doesn't really affect me in any way. If I get lucky and score 5x LotG +rech on each roll, I'll just be really happy.
I'm still debating whether I should start up a character and level it by doing TFs and tips only, though. I should have a nice stash of A and R merits when I hit 50, so I could probably outright buy a PvP 3% Def IO and even then have merits to roll.
- @DSorrow - alts on Union and Freedom mostly -
Currently playing as Castigation on Freedom
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You may have gotten one of the worst A-Merit Rolls Ever, but my very first A-Merit Roll got me 3 LotG: 7.5% and two negligible recipes. It was enough to bias me towards rolling for all of my characters under level 35. Whatever isn't worth keeping can at least help fill the Mid-level market with goods.
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When you think about it, shouldn't you be thanking us for making mistakes? Veridian Dynamics. We're sorry. You're welcome.
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because the thrill, and irony, of random rolls is exciting.|
Originally Posted by Carnifax_NA
Can't you just buy specific Recipies for 1 or 2 A-Merits?
I mean why roll 5 when you could buy 2 LOTG or Miracles and 1 Performance Shifter or Achilles Heel, or am I misunderstanding how they work? Why would you roll them? Do they have a chance of giving purples via rolls? |
I did a few random rolls and got pretty much trash, so last week I decided to just spend 2 a-merits to get a LotG recipe.
yesterday, decided to try another random roll - I spent 1 a-merit and got a LotG and a Miracle proc in the 5 recipes
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I've seen "level locking" mentioned in a number of threads, but I've been unable to find out how to do it, or why to do it. Anyone with more detail?
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Originally Posted by DevilYouKnow
I am rolling on my level locked 25,30 and 35.
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People will turn off level gain at a specific level so they can farm and still stay that level, because some things are worth more at a given level than they would be at other levels, and random rolls tend to use your character level. So if you are level 30, and you roll, you get a bunch of level 30 stuff. If you are level 50, and you roll, you get a bunch of level 50 stuff. If level 30 stuff is worth more, you're better off being 30...
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Originally Posted by Emo
I've seen "level locking" mentioned in a number of threads, but I've been unable to find out how to do it, or why to do it. Anyone with more detail?
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It's very simple. Once your character gets to the level you want to use for the random rolls, you turn off earning XP so the character stays that level forever. I have a blaster 'locked' at level 37.
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Question asked at 1:35 and answers posted at 1:37 and 1:38. 
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
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Sure, you go to Options and under the Miscellanous section there is a switch for Earn Xp. Just set it to disabled and your character will no longer earn XP.|
Originally Posted by Emo
I've seen "level locking" mentioned in a number of threads, but I've been unable to find out how to do it, or why to do it. Anyone with more detail?
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As to why one would do it the main reason is to have a toon at a particular so that the recipes he randomly generates through merit rolls, Alignment rolls and just as drops during a mission are all that level.
Many players like to slot I/Os at level 30 or so because when they exempt down for a task force they will still have the set bonuses for the powers they have. Unfortunately, level 25 to 40 recipes are not very plentiful. So generating recipes in this range is desirable for marketing or slotting your own toons.
There are other reasons of course. Some people like to play a toon at certain level, you don't want to out level a story arc, roleplay, etc.
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Why 37? I thought recipes were more valuable at levels divisible by five.
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Originally Posted by Ironblade
It's very simple. Once your character gets to the level you want to use for the random rolls, you turn off earning XP so the character stays that level forever. I have a blaster 'locked' at level 37.
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Finally bothered to get my first low-level A-Merit roll (all others 40+), and lemme tell you, that was 20 million well-spent.
2 Tempest Chance for End Drain 23
1 Aegis End/Rech 25
1 Ghost Widow's Acc/Rech/Hold 23
1 Impeded Swiftness End/Rech/Slow 23
Sure, I suppose I could've gotten Dark Watcher's Despair Rech/End, or either of the Debilitative Actions, but this is collectively the godawfulest roll I ever saw.
Anyone got worse?