Astral and Empyrean Merits: Future Applications?

I like the current system for these components when it comes to cashing them in foor threads and/or rare and very rare salvage pieces.

Is it possible if we can get confirmation that this will be the case for these special salvage components if new incarnate salvage is introduced in a later issue or if they will require an upgrade to something else similair to how incarnate shards can be converted?

I think having this knowledge will help some of us plan better when it comes to saving/spending.

Game Design doesn't want players saving up materials for future slots. The next 4 slots will probably have their own currency. They don't want people to save up materials on current content and immediately make upgrades when new slots come out. There may be some transferability, but probably on par with shard to thread conversions (where 1/5 of the value is lost).

My guess is that we will hear something soon on future applications though. I think we get a state of the game address around the anniversary. I could be wrong though.

I'm pretty they will always be useful for converting into things like Incarnate Threads or Components, even if they add new kinds of Shards/Threads/Components in the future.

What I'm more interested in is if they will ever be good towards other non-Incarnate stuff. For example will they ever be used to buy Reward Merits or even other things like special recipes for new IOs, temp powers or costume items. It's the hint that they may be used for "other" things that has me trying to horde them as much as possible right now.

Positron ahs mentioned adding special Incarnate rewards that can be bought with the Incarnate merits.

Personally, i'd like to see shards completely done away with, when the next issue hits. all incarnate stuffs from alpha to omega can rely off threads, just finish the incarnate arc for your alpha slot? Im sure it doesn't help resources to list hundreds of items per enemy that have a chance to drop. It should be tidied up.

I have heard that Astral Merits can be used for future goodies, including costume pieces, though I'd rather not see that happen. as for Empyrum Merits, save them for that Very Rare. I know the reward system is messed up at the moment. I have characters that'll collect enough Empyrium's to craft multiple VR's (though I dont have the 400 mil to craft) before they ever actually get the VR via the table.

"I also wanted to add a quick reminder: Astral and Empyrean Merits will in the coming months be able to be used to acquire other rewards. To that end, these changes are partially intended to place less pressure on you to use Merits to fill in the gaps for your Incarnate components." -Baryonyx Senior Designer

This comes from this thread, which may be an interesting read to some of you.http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=259085