Deconstruction Bug - No Materials

Coolio · April 2014

I leveled my first character to 13, did not like how thing were going, decided to reset points, and make him my crafting character.

Anything deconstructed above the character's level (not skill level) does not give me any materials other than an occasional improvement material or crafting stones.

Example: I am deconstructing Orichalc equipment and armor with skill level 15 blacksmithing - as a level 13 character - and I am not getting any materials 7 out of 10 times. If i do get anything it is very minimal (1 or 2 ingots at most)

Edit: This is not based on 10 items, its based on a lot more, it had bothered me enough for me to make a post about it.

Edit: It does not only happen with blacksmithing, it happens with clothing and woodworking too. ( I do not deconstruct glyphs on this char)

Edit: Added video demonstration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-fC4xYT3hI/M-fC4xYT3hI

Arsenic_Touch · April 2014

Do you have points in the improving chance to retrieve materials when breaking down items? That's not a bug, that's RNG not being kind to you. Quite often I wouldn't receive anything until I put points in it.

Coolio · April 2014

I have allotted all possible skill points into blacksmithing. Other than the one that helps you spot ore.

Slash8915 · April 2014

Coolio wrote: »

I have allotted all possible skill points into blacksmithing. Other than the one that helps you spot ore.

No offense, but at lvl 13, I highly doubt you have your crafting leveled up enough to put many points into Metal Extraction.

Edit: Just saw where you said your Blacksmithing was at lvl 15. That means you can only have put one point into Metal Extraction at most. I agree with the other poster, it just sounds like you are having really bad luck...

Eris · April 2014

I don't know if its level based, but I deconstructed a bunch of weapons this evening and got stuff from like 17 out of 20 deconstructs, so it might just be really, really bad luck from the random number generator. Or it might be that lower level characters deconstructing higher level gear get less out of it. Sadly, I just don't know for sure.

Coolio · April 2014

This is not only happening with blacksmithing, Its also happening with clothing and woodworking.

Coolio · April 2014

Bump: Added video demo.

SirAndy · April 2014

Don't tell me the extraction 3/3 bug is back, that was supposed to be fixed months ago ...

@ZOS ???

Jirki88 · April 2014

I wouldn't surprise me the least if it's intended. After all, this game isn't built on the presumption of specified crafting-characters... It's built on the presumption of an Elder Scrolls kind of character doing everything (like in Skyrim).

Coolio · April 2014

Jirki88 wrote: »

I wouldn't surprise me the least if it's intended. After all, this game isn't built on the presumption of specified crafting-characters... It's built on the presumption of an Elder Scrolls kind of character doing everything (like in Skyrim).

Well yeah, it might be intentional, and it might be not.

I am here to figure it out, so that future players do not do the same mistake in case it was intentional, and so that it would get fixed if it was a bug.

Either way, something has to be done so that this does not happen with others, I spent a lot investing in my crafting character without anything that raises flags that I shouldn't level my crafting skills without leveling my character.

If deconstructing matts is based on character level then the best thing to do is max out character level before crafting anything,

1) this renders the skill based idea of crafting useless, because you would have a ton of skill points by then
2) you would use higher level equipment to level your crafting skills up in no time.
3) Might as well just make the crafting skills require that a character reaches a certain level instead of allot skill points.

WilliamTee · April 2014

i sometimes send high level stuff down to alts to level up crafting skills fast through d/c.

They never get much back cept maybe racial mats.

I figured this was working as intended: odds are a BSing lvl 5 dude is too inept to d/c a voidsteel sword without utterly buggering it up.

Iorail · April 2014

Ok, I see what your problem is and I'm 100% is not bug related.

First, you are level 15 BS...not enough skill to have opened anything higher than level 1 Metal Extraction.

Second, you are trying to deconstruct Orichalc equipment and armor, which you need at least 2/3 or 3/3 Metal Extraction to get anything good back.

This is the same for your other craft, you are trying to do things that at your current level is just not possible just because of the lack of expertise and the RNG hitting you hard. You may want to level those more by getting more skill points or you may want to tone it down a bit and go back to iron/steel before you go any higher so you get the most out of it. Looks to me to are just trying to power level it, but it's just the wrong way.

Ohioastro · April 2014

I don't seem to get any decent items if my character can't make the tier of item that is being deconstructed. I get plenty if they can. What I can't tell is whether this is gated by the skill level or the maximum tier that you can craft (which is higher than the skill level.) e.g. can a 15 blacksmith only get good items from iron + steel, or could you also get good items from tier 3?

In my case, I get these items because my higher level main is getting them and putting them in the bank, so it's not powerleveling - just passively deconning the things that all of my characters get when adventuring.

Jirki88 · April 2014

Coolio wrote: »

Jirki88 wrote: »

I wouldn't surprise me the least if it's intended. After all, this game isn't built on the presumption of specified crafting-characters... It's built on the presumption of an Elder Scrolls kind of character doing everything (like in Skyrim).

Well yeah, it might be intentional, and it might be not.

I am here to figure it out, so that future players do not do the same mistake in case it was intentional, and so that it would get fixed if it was a bug.

Either way, something has to be done so that this does not happen with others, I spent a lot investing in my crafting character without anything that raises flags that I shouldn't level my crafting skills without leveling my character.

If deconstructing matts is based on character level then the best thing to do is max out character level before crafting anything,

1) this renders the skill based idea of crafting useless, because you would have a ton of skill points by then
2) you would use higher level equipment to level your crafting skills up in no time.
3) Might as well just make the crafting skills require that a character reaches a certain level instead of allot skill points.

I disagree, actually. I don't see it as making crafting useless, but rather, it ties it to leveling progression. It makes it ineffective to have a crafting alt, but it makes it a bit rewarding of doing crafting on your main character.

Coolio · April 2014

Iorail wrote: »

Ok, I see what your problem is and I'm 100% is not bug related.

First, you are level 15 BS...not enough skill to have opened anything higher than level 1 Metal Extraction.

Second, you are trying to deconstruct Orichalc equipment and armor, which you need at least 2/3 or 3/3 Metal Extraction to get anything good back.

This is the same for your other craft, you are trying to do things that at your current level is just not possible just because of the lack of expertise and the RNG hitting you hard. You may want to level those more by getting more skill points or you may want to tone it down a bit and go back to iron/steel before you go any higher so you get the most out of it. Looks to me to are just trying to power level it, but it's just the wrong way.

I would agree with you but, these are the facts:

1) I deconstructed everything as I was leveling my first character, and it was leveling up at a good pace with my character, I was basically crafting all my gear.

2) I continued to send everything with my new character since level 1 to be deconstructed, up until level 28 (present), nothing was sold to shop, all deconstructed.

3) my crafting character can now create dwarven gear, which is too high for my main, the level 28, yet cannot deconstruct materials from orichalc gear.

With this information, I dont understand how I'm powerleveling, unless the blacksmithing experience increases as a character levels up?

UrQuan · April 2014

It makes sense that if you can't craft something out of a particular material you won't be able to deconstruct something to get that material.

Coolio · April 2014

Ur-Quan wrote: »

It makes sense that if you can't craft something out of a particular material you won't be able to deconstruct something to get that material.

I can construct dwarven, which is higher than orichalc.

UrQuan · April 2014

Coolio wrote: »

Ur-Quan wrote: »

It makes sense that if you can't craft something out of a particular material you won't be able to deconstruct something to get that material.

I can construct dwarven, which is higher than orichalc.

Yeah, I didn't refresh before posting - otherwise I would have seen your post above mine and noticed that.

So most likely you need to put some skill points in extraction and/or level your crafter (actual level, I mean, not blacksmithing level).

traigusb14_ESO2 · April 2014

It is probably just extraction.

Due to often playing when I was tired, I forgot to put a 2nd point into extraction on my BS (who is of level to wear what he makes 36). I thought I had, because I did on my Woodworking and clothing guy.

I wasn't getting much outa Ore, but had been with steel and iron. I also was finding myself with many less bars than other materials. After a steak of decon from the halls of the dead in town, and getting like 3 bars of orch, 1 sapphire and 1 honing stone (from like 9 blues and 10 greens) I looked at my skills and noticed I had not put a 2nd point in extraction.

After putting the 2nd point in, I get some number of bars about 90% of the time, and get gems and tempers quite commonly. I did not before I put the 2nd point in extraction.

I seem to get more gems and tempers from processing ore as well.

Coolio · April 2014

@traigusb14_ESO2‌

Thanks so much, at least I now know that there is some hope for my crafter.

Darzil · April 2014

It's just the level thing. Above a certain point (around 4 levels higher than your character?) you get no base materials back, regardless of what you can craft.

This game is not one where you can be the best crafter without levelling. Sadly the coffin of the professional crafter was nailed years ago.

Fairydragon3 · April 2014

This is a bit intentional, the chance of getting stuff out of extraction is lower for stuff of higher level than your Race level.

You do get a lot more experience from them, but the game doesn't want you to have to much stuff that you can't use, or use to exploit unfairly.

Coolio · April 2014

Darzil wrote: »

It's just the level thing. Above a certain point (around 4 levels higher than your character?) you get no base materials back, regardless of what you can craft.

This game is not one where you can be the best crafter without levelling. Sadly the coffin of the professional crafter was nailed years ago.

Thats great, now I'd like to hear it from a moderator.

There needs to be an official word that stops people from doing this.

There is nothing that hints that we should not be leveling crafting on low level alts, until its too late.

Darzil · April 2014

Fairydragon3 wrote: »

You do get a lot more experience from them, but the game doesn't want you to have to much stuff that you can't use, or use to exploit unfairly.

By making things for other people who are higher level than you?

It'll be interesting to see how crafting shakes up. Usually in MMOs materials to skill up on have more demand than finished product, as many people go crafter. Here everyone can get resources, but research takes ages. If there isn't a demand for sets, though, it may be ultimately fruitless. It's probably a lot of work (and character points) for no benefit to the crafter.

It's beginning to look like the purpose of levelling Blacksmithing, Clothing and/or Woodworking is to get hirelings to return legendary components to sell (assuming the dupes actually get removed from the economy) to others or use, and/or to learn improved temper (etc) use to improve your own (bound) equipment. Research currently looks pointless as drops have better set bonuses.

Note - I am researching as should the situation change I don't want to wait many months to take advantage.

Kyosji · April 2014

Darzil wrote: »

It's just the level thing. Above a certain point (around 4 levels higher than your character?) you get no base materials back, regardless of what you can craft.

This game is not one where you can be the best crafter without levelling. Sadly the coffin of the professional crafter was nailed years ago.

Not true at all. It's just the way the game is designed. The white items will give you a low chance to get any materials from them. It's been this way for me for the last 20 levels. His video looks exactly like mine does, but I have higher crafting and a higher level all around. This happens to me with items lower then my level, equal to my level, and higher to my level. I'm at the point now I don't even deconstruct white items, I just sell them.

Fairydragon3 · April 2014

@Darzil. Not saying it is particularly a smart choice when you think about it. As a crafter myself, I like the idea of making stuff for my friends. I would prefer if it corresponds to my crafting level, but right now my crafting level is waaaaay lower than my race. You can still make stuff for your friends, but they will need to get you the materials if you are low on what you an make. Need a lot of skill points to make the high level stuff. Also do plan to make all my characters max out their hireling perks

Darzil · April 2014

Kyosji wrote: »

Darzil wrote: »

It's just the level thing. Above a certain point (around 4 levels higher than your character?) you get no base materials back, regardless of what you can craft.

Not true at all. It's just the way the game is designed. The white items will give you a low chance to get any materials from them. It's been this way for me for the last 20 levels. His video looks exactly like mine does, but I have higher crafting and a higher level all around. This happens to me with items lower then my level, equal to my level, and higher to my level. I'm at the point now I don't even deconstruct white items, I just sell them.

I have to disagree. I once (early in the game) deconstructed 100 odd white items above my level (but which I had the skill to make). I got zero base materials back. I get materials on around 50% of white items of my level or below. Now I only deconstruct things of my level and below.

Kyosji · April 2014

...so what are you actually disagreeing with me on here?

Cauthorn · April 2014

I use crafting alts and can confirm that you don't get any gathered resources from deconstructing items that are not zone appropriate for your level. You will still get tempers and trait stones however.

Sestar · May 2014

Hello,

I am experiencing the same issue: no basic crafting material from low character level characters deconstructing.

I have some characters as specialised crafters.

With skyshards, early levels etc.. one easily gets a sufficient number of skill points that you are able to fully skill one or two crafting profession without having to do any serious adventuring.

You can even craft with your crafting rating (e.g. unlocking the passive skills for material tiers), yet when you deconstruct you only get trait stones, improvement materials, and style materials from items higher than your character level -- but no basic materials.

The least thing I would expect, is that the deconstruction interface would tell me about this behaviour.

For a while I had assumed that unlocking the material tier would solve the no-basic-material behaviour. But seems I was wrong. Now I will deconstruct white items with my primary character for raw materials, and green/blue/whatever with the crafting specialists for skillup and special materials.

Likely there are good reasons for this game design. But the game should at least tell us, if an action is "reduced" on the character using them.

Regards,
Sestar

BenjaminKacher_ESO · May 2014

This is working as intended. You only get actual materials (other than upgrade mats and style materials) from items more than aprox 20 levels over your char. level.