I'm posting this here since it isn't specific to any single type of crafting...

So, like the title says I'm interesting in hearing everyone's thoughts on crafting. In particular I'm hoping to gain some insight that I can use in my own crafting decisions because all my characters are still just tier 1 and therefore not too heavily invested in anything.

At present the plan I've been following is to do Scavenging/Apothecary on the characters I actually play, and level the other professions (except Butchering) on my alt characters. Scavenging just feels like a natural extension of looting and Apothecary is sometimes an interesting diversion. Personally, I don't think I'd really miss these crafting professions delegated to my alts if it didn't suspect it to ultimately be economical to level them. I mildly dislike the logistic issues of sending/storing crafting items to alts. It feels like I spend way too much time taking a break from playing in order to visit my friend the mailbox. And I'm not keen on babysitting plants, although maybe I'll learn to accept reading a paperback in short bursts while cultivating.

Well anyway, the thing I'm most curious about is if I'll find myself spending significantly more money at higher ranks if I'm buying talismen and cultivated items. And perhaps the key word here is "significantly" because perhaps the game economy is such that all players have plenty of money to spend at higher levels. But anyway, my guess is that cultivation won't be worth the time/effort but talisman making will be.  However, I recognize the possibility that certain cultivated items will be expensive if everyone decides to avoid cultivation. I'm also considering leveling cultivation on a main character so that I can read stuff in the ToK while I cultivate.   ...............So clearly, I could use some help.

Feel free to post your thoughts on crafting independent of my queries though. :)

I am an apothecary/cultivator... Cultivation takes a lot of time and effort early on, but as you get higher level seeds the times during each phase take much longer, which means that it won't take up as much of your time. As for the sending of mats to alts, I do the same thing. It used to be a pain, but then I got a mod (forgot the name and am not at home) I think it is called Bulk Mail, that allows you to send about 40-50 stacks in 2 mins or so. It isn't quite so bad anymore. Interestingly, Apothecary stuff sells very well as long as you sell it for cheap - and it adds up. Your low level "crap" potions you want to sell for 3-5 silver a peice. I had been selling my action point potions at VERY low prices as I thought they weren't very good, but the demand is startlingly high. Health potions, too. Just get a feel for the market and you can make bank.

Fastjack wrote: Cultivation takes a lot of time and effort early on, but as you get higher level seeds the times during each phase take much longer, which means that it won't take up as much of your time.

I'm not sure what you mean. If the higher level seeds take longer it would seem that the time requirement would go up as you level Cultivation. In my limited experience it seemed like seeds significantly lower than your level took less time so maybe you were talking about saving time that way.

I've been using the zMailMod, occasionally dabbling with BulkMail which does the same thing. The mail addon certainly helps things. The loading/logging out times are killing me though. Hopefully I won't feel the same way once I start playing on my new PC (still installing the essential software) the improved hardware will shorten the load times for logging into my characters.

Thanks for the perspective overall, especially on the potion auctioning which gives me hope for my efforts paying off. I'm still not sure there's much need to save up cash, but I like to err on the side of being rich anyway, lol .

Also, since my original post I've read this thread which has effectively scared me out of doing cultivating on any "main character".

Well, my problem with the time cultivation takes has always been that if I want to run multiple seeds at once, that is pretty much all I can do. 30s stage times will do that. Later, you can go for longer between adding the ingredients, which makes it less intrusive. They also give you 3 more plots, which increases the rate at which you grow without increasing the amount of time you have to spend "juggling" cultivation with whatever it is you are killing.

 

Also, your link doesen't work.