DM Q&A: Skill: Appraise caps

[webscav]

I was informed after tossing down all of my wealth on an appraise Item that there is apparently a hard cap on how much appraise actually does anything. Is this true?

[kalbaern]

Sept 19, 2012 12:45:02 GMT -5 webscav said:

I was informed after tossing down all of my wealth on an appraise Item that there is apparently a hard cap on how much appraise actually does anything. Is this true?

Unnless otherwise overridden, most PWs (FRC included) as well as the OCs and later Premiun Modules all have a maximum appraise variable of -30% to +30%. This is a "soft cap" set by Bioware themselves to limit exploits. I.e. being able to "buy low and resell higher".

- Appraise Checks are made by a PC vs a Merchant.
- Each adds any qualifying bonuses to their base Skill Total plus a d20.
- The higher result adjusts the prices/payouts in the winner's favor.
- PCs "winning" the skill check are payed more and pay less for items.
- PCs "losing" the skill check are payed less and pay more for items.
- The only change to Appraise Checks on FRC is that the verbal feedback for them has been removed. I.e., there is no message to say your result was neutral, favorable or unfavorable.

Again, the -30% to +30% is rarely overridded on any PW (none that I know of at least) and if any do, they've either some wide open exploits available or have set their base payouts so low and merchant mark ups so high that its not an issue.