Please remove Unprofitable Alchemy (At Level 1 to 49) from this Game! or Fix it!

BlueAvenger

Current State:
1. Every mob drops a potion!
a. Go to a Dungeon -> Finish the Dungeon -> Voila! 30 Free Potions!
b. Do a quest -> Kill Quest Target -> Voila! 2 to 5 Free Potions!
c. Run Around Killing Creatures -> Voila 2 to x Free Potions!

Question: Why have an Alchemist when the game developers think everyone should get Free Potions?
Possible ZeniMax Answer: Well, we think people are getting the default type potions so those potions are not strong than the ones created by an Alchemist.
My Answer: Well, you should also know that the game is pretty easy already and given the free potions they don't need the Super Awesome Potions created by an Alchemist.
Also, Since Alchemy is possibly the easiest of all crafting professions to level up, does not help the viability of making any sales as EVERYONE can make their own potions.
Result: Everyone will use alchemy but will never sell any, because who's going to buy them?

My Solution: Make potion drops very very low in dungeons and everywhere.
Its the simplest and most robust fix you can do.
Result: Since everyone can make their own potions, they will start making them before going to a dungeon or questing. But for that the flowers will become in demand!
When people run out of flowers they will most probably buy it from a professional Alchemist who has actually put some skill points in that crafting profession!
Demand grows == Satisfaction and Justification for being an Alchemist in the first place.

Problem fixed.


2. Color conventions:
Not all potions need to be WHITE text!

Combined potions of 2 combinations == GREEN
Combined potions of 3 combinations == BLUE

Makes it visible in the Guild Store == More Sales! == Self Worth as an Alchemist!

3. Naming Conventions:

There really needs to be better naming conventions of Potions.
Very lazy on your part Zenimax to name everything which has a knockback effect as "Potion of Unstoppable".
I have recorded about 4 to 5 potions that are completely different but have the SAME EXACT NAME!
Really! Come on!


I really want to love this game. I try to do every quest, run around looking to do everything the game offers. But things like these really make me feel like " why am I doing this when all I get from doing this effort is ZERO reward?"

The other possibly useless thing is Set Item Crafting "for lower levels, which is 10 to 50".

All the set item bonuses are lower than the ones freely looted and sold. But I have yet to see a SINGLE crafted set item being sold anywhere. Ever wonder why?
I think you already know why. I don't think I need to explain it to you.

I will end this rant by saying, I will probably finish this game by reaching VR10 and quit after that because I am sure you guys will be bogged down on fixing the quest bugs and other things and will most likely fail to address all of the above in the next month.

If crafting was fun .... its not this game.

Natjur

Dropped potions cap at L50, crafted goes to V5
Alchemy becomes very usefull after V5
Theses sell well

As for the name of crafted potions making them hard to sell cause they have the same name as the crap dropped potions, this is fixed in patch 1.1

Viblo

I don't think I used a dropped or crafted potion before level 50.

MKLS

I love my crafted potions and have used them myself and provided them for friends all the way through from lvl 10 to veteran - far better than the dropped ones I've found - so that in itself justifies the time and effort to level alchemy imo

Lupinemw

LOve people who haven't maxed something out passing a half arsed comment on something.

BlueAvenger

Lupinemw wrote: »

LOve people who haven't maxed something out passing a half arsed comment on something.

Please correct me if I am wrong. So you are justifying Alchemy because you think lvl 1 to 50 is not worth ? And only Vr 10 is the only time alchemy potions should be traded?
From what I understand is you are against a possible fix because you seem you have maxed out lvl 50 in Alchemy.
I am level 35 in Alchemy and it seems you think i am passing "half arsed comments" because I need to first be level 50 in Alchemy ..and THEN it will be good. right?

BlueAvenger

Natjur wrote: »

Dropped potions cap at L50, crafted goes to V5
Alchemy becomes very usefull after V5
Theses sell well

As for the name of crafted potions making them hard to sell cause they have the same name as the crap dropped potions, this is fixed in patch 1.1

Patch 1.1 ??????? I've seen only patch 1.0.8 and it was thing morning...

BlueAvenger

Lupinemw wrote: »

LOve people who haven't maxed something out passing a half arsed comment on something.

Wait you are a VR10 already right? So you maxed out this entire game.
And you think gameplay should not be fun WHILE leveling.. But only when the ENDGAME begins.. Sounds great! For us lowly beings we still like to READ the lore books and have fun in crafting WHILE we play the game.
I for one would like to have more fun in trading and questing. But you seem to be one of those rush to EndGame people. Have fun. Please don't reply.

Niminion

I very rarely used a potion 1-50

At vet levels Alchemy is the 2nd best crafting skill behind Cooking! Dropped potions heal for jack and only do one thing. Crafted potions are the bomb. I use potions all the time now. Ask a VR alchemist they are freaking rich right now.

Currently power leveling Alchemy!

PBpsy

If alchemy is useless before VR than enchanting is even worse. I am certain that I will craft my first useful enchant long after I reach VR10.

reggielee

nothing wrong with alchemy, its one of the better crafts, you make what you need along the way. I do not see that many potions drop in pve, dungeons or whatever else you said. They may drop one or three diff kinds, which dont stack and is annoying as far as bag space goes.

buffbcub17_ESO

I am a bit surprised, as I love Alchemy so far (lvl 46) and use my potions all the time. Once I got the third ingredient opened, you are able to create MUCH better health, stamina etc potions than anything that drops in a dungeon.

I guess everyone plays the game differently, but having potions has been a big help to me, especially in group situations as the healer doesn't have to focus on me as much.

Tanabe

i love VR 5 potions, spam em often in vet dungeons.

Lupinemw

BlueAvenger wrote: »

Lupinemw wrote: »

LOve people who haven't maxed something out passing a half arsed comment on something.

Wait you are a VR10 already right? So you maxed out this entire game.
And you think gameplay should not be fun WHILE leveling.. But only when the ENDGAME begins.. Sounds great! For us lowly beings we still like to READ the lore books and have fun in crafting WHILE we play the game.
I for one would like to have more fun in trading and questing. But you seem to be one of those rush to EndGame people. Have fun. Please don't reply.

No I never said I was level Vet 10, or even level 50, you seem to like your original post have made a sweeping assumption.

The thing about potions is there isn't just the normal Health/Stamina/Magika potions, you have the detect Invis, make invis and also weapon crit potions. These don't drop from mobs. Now whilst you may feel that they are of no use in many ways they have their place like any other.

Natjur

BlueAvenger wrote: »

Natjur wrote: »

As for the name of crafted potions making them hard to sell cause they have the same name as the crap dropped potions, this is fixed in patch 1.1

Patch 1.1 ??????? I've seen only patch 1.0.8 and it was thing morning...

Have a look on the PST (Public Test) server, its currently patch 1.1.1 and the potion names are now fixed.

sevcik.miroslaveb17_ESO

Honestly I am not that angry, but he is right. Alchemy is useless. I go out for questing and end up selling dropped potions for around 200g to vendor... I only keep a few magicka potions. At VR it may change, but I strongly agree with that quote of game rushers. This game is beautiful. I spent almost 200 hours already and I am not even hitting level 42...

What makes me rush more than I would like to is poor trading system. Crafted sets could bring nice profits from lower players. But you can reach them only via WTS. This does not work. When they are new they don't even pay attantion to trades on chat.... Player shop would make them stop by, look at set, bonus, price and he/she may consider purchase.

I am doing all quests with much faster pace than I intended only because I want to start trade. VR 10 is where it will begin.

Back to akchemy - potion drops needs to come to near zero chance imho. It may improve demand.

KerinKor

I'm only level 41 but in all that time and on many characters I've never ever seen that number of pots the OP is claiming per session, EVER!

Viblo

Zero need for potions per VR level is what is causing lack of demand, it isn't drop of potions. The game is too easy pre-VR levels.

Doskias

Alchemy potions are way better than dropped. I don't see how alchemy is useless.

Loxy37

Well alls been said already but made potions are far far superior. Can have a potion heal you and give you magicka, invisibility and so on at the same time. Show me a none made one that can do that!

columbineb14_ESO

Lower-levels alchemy is a heck of a lot more useful than lower-levels provisioning.

Lupinemw

Doskias wrote: »

Alchemy potions are way better than dropped. I don't see how alchemy is useless.

I think its standard practice, if you can't cope you complain and say its broken and needs to be removed or changed to suit you.

I know people also like to say in x system they do this. If x system was so good why are people not still playing it? The other big factor is the game is still new and has a lot more development in it to come. But people don't want to wait they want it all now so they can just complain about end game stuff.

tplink3r1

BlueAvenger wrote: »

My Answer: Well, you should also know that the game is pretty easy already and given the free potions they don't need the Super Awesome Potions created by an Alchemist.
Also, Since Alchemy is possibly the easiest of all crafting professions to level up, does not help the viability of making any sales as EVERYONE can make their own potions.
Result: Everyone will use alchemy but will never sell any, because who's going to buy them?

the game gets difficult in VR levels AND PVP, and there potions make a lot of difference. so no, they dont need to remove alchemy, that doesnt make sense.
dont like it? then ask them to increase normal levels difficulty, not to remove alchemy.

djosh79cub18_ESO

This is the nature if MMOs. Every one that I've ever played, crafting was more or less useless during leveling for making profit(which is the main complaint from the OP here). That's the way it should be IMO. Use your potions yourself or give them to friends whilst leveling your character/profession. Only "master" crafters that have put in the time and effort to reach the max level should be able to truly profit. Your argument is akin to saying that an apprentice or journeyman electrician should be able to charge the same thing as a master.

There are also many people that request set items to be crafted in vet levels. Why would someone want to spend gold on a nice set that will be bound to them and vendor trash in 4-5 levels while leveling? Most set itms being made and profited from are the 6-8 trait set items at VR 9-10, and again, this makes sense.

Economy is about supply and demand, and there is no demand for piddly level 35 alchemy potions or set bonus gear.

Yes, you should have to be a master crafter selling end game items in order to profit.

SDZald

Ok can someone tell me how to easily use them while in combat? I have added it to my quickbar wheel and it works fine outside of combat but I can never get my character to use one in combat. Until I can use it in combat they are totally useless to me.

Demli

SDZald wrote: »

Ok can someone tell me how to easily use them while in combat? I have added it to my quickbar wheel and it works fine outside of combat but I can never get my character to use one in combat. Until I can use it in combat they are totally useless to me.

Hold "Q" to bring up selection wheel, press "Q" to use after the potion you want is selected. Works for me in combat, unless I'm stunned or knocked down.

Starlifter88

SDZald wrote: »

Ok can someone tell me how to easily use them while in combat? I have added it to my quickbar wheel and it works fine outside of combat but I can never get my character to use one in combat. Until I can use it in combat they are totally useless to me.

I rebound my quick wheel to a more convenient key. I pop a crafted spell power or spell crit increase pot just before engaging in a fight. By the time I need a restore magicka/heath pot, the first one has cooled off. I could not run dungeon healing as effectively without having quick access to stacks of restoring potions.

BlueAvenger

Lupinemw wrote: »

BlueAvenger wrote: »

Lupinemw wrote: »

LOve people who haven't maxed something out passing a half arsed comment on something.

Wait you are a VR10 already right? So you maxed out this entire game.
And you think gameplay should not be fun WHILE leveling.. But only when the ENDGAME begins.. Sounds great! For us lowly beings we still like to READ the lore books and have fun in crafting WHILE we play the game.
I for one would like to have more fun in trading and questing. But you seem to be one of those rush to EndGame people. Have fun. Please don't reply.

No I never said I was level Vet 10, or even level 50, you seem to like your original post have made a sweeping assumption.

The thing about potions is there isn't just the normal Health/Stamina/Magika potions, you have the detect Invis, make invis and also weapon crit potions. These don't drop from mobs. Now whilst you may feel that they are of no use in many ways they have their place like any other.

Ok. Since you have spoken well this time around I'd like to put forth my opinion over this whole thing.
My Title headline might not be the best way to summarize what I really wanted from this game and still want!
I love trading and the fact is I want to love crafting while I level. If the End game was the only profitable time it does not help me with my need to trade and enjoy myself effectively.
I have made tons of Alchemy potions and put it up on sale in the stores.
Its been over a month ..yet no sales ?!?!? My Sale price on every Level 20 Potion was 100g per 10 potions which gave all 3 benefits. Since low level players wont buy any high costing potions.
And for level 30 potions 200g per 10 potions. Below this I would probably be losing a lot gold in addition to the cost of putting them up on store and taxes.
Some of my potions were
Spell Crit + Heal + Magicka combo.
Weapon Crit + Heal + Stam combo.
etc.
Yet no one bothers to buy them. Is it too costly... not sure.
But do they need to buy any ..probably they don't because the default dropped potions are more than enough for most of the cases in the lvl 10 to 50 range.
My main argument is why have any crafting skill avaiable to be played when it can't be traded? Is it not a "Trading" Skill in the first place? Do I need to be the Master before I can do "Any" sales?
As of now I have 5 trading guild maxed out. I have about 20 Slots in my Guild filled with Potions. No Sales!
Never did I say that potions themselves are useless (Or maybe I did not want to say, if I did) but, mainly that the game is already too easy and giving away FREE potions to everyone is making Alchemy pretty pointless in the Lower Levels.

The game developers should make sure people who are not maxed out and not a Master already should still be able to have fun! This game or any other game should allow a level 1 player to have as much fun as much as a lvl 50. Obviously if they enabled Alchemy by default to a Level 1 character to make potions without spending a single skill point there must be a reason to it?
As someone else was saying that "If you are not a Master of Alchemy you are "not supposed" to make profit" ... in "my" opinion that's not how things in a game should be.
Even if the Profit is paltry it should be at least be sold near vendor price to give that feeling of achievement ..feeling of accomplishment.
And yes as someone else said a JourneyMan should *not* be able to make as much profit as a Master. You you are right! But as of now there is ZERO Demand and ZERO profit at lower levels. That is a Game Breaking fact for the rest of us who are still level 35 or lesser.

Hence my Rant .

NordJitsu

Natjur wrote: »

Dropped potions cap at L50, crafted goes to V5
Alchemy becomes very usefull after V5
Theses sell well

As for the name of crafted potions making them hard to sell cause they have the same name as the crap dropped potions, this is fixed in patch 1.1

Not to mention potions of detection, speed, spell power, ect.

Censorious

Agree. Alchemy is one of the more useful professions. It's also quite easy to level up.

I've just got mine to the point where I can make these these very powerful potions and I consider it skill points well spent. (I'm VR2 but could have done it much earlier)

SDZald

Demli wrote: »

SDZald wrote: »

Ok can someone tell me how to easily use them while in combat? I have added it to my quickbar wheel and it works fine outside of combat but I can never get my character to use one in combat. Until I can use it in combat they are totally useless to me.

Hold "Q" to bring up selection wheel, press "Q" to use after the potion you want is selected. Works for me in combat, unless I'm stunned or knocked down.

Well just pressing the Q button should, and does when not in combat, use the 'default' position potion. That does work for me out of combat but it just never seems to work in combat. Oh well not that big a deal.