Spellcasters and +5s

[Trollfiend]

Should mages, druids, and clerics start charging astronomical prices for weapon enchants? Based on the feedback on +5 weapons vs. enhancements, I think it may be time...

The general belief is that people don't want their PC's to have +5 flaming (or lightning if you're a druid) weapon to be purchased, but they want to have to rely on spell casters for these things... So why not capitalize on this market? Wait... would you need a merchant's license for this? DMs?

This is a sincere topic- I'm not poking fun or trolling. There really may be a market for this...

+3 maybe 500 per item
+4 900 per item
+5 1500 per item

And this is in addition to an equal share of the spoils.

What do you all think? Is it feasible?

[Kiyohime 🐍]

If you want your mage to start charging for buffs, go ahead.

I doubt many will want to party with him, though.

[Trollfiend]

Maybe not, but it if catches on and more start doing it, you may see some fighters forking over the gold. It's how monopolies work in a capitalistic market. It's been left 100% up to the spell casters who don't need help once they reach +5 status. both mages and Clerics can solo most things while fighters find that they need the most help at those levels. With the power completely in the spell casters' hands, the market is wide open.

[Kiyohime 🐍]

Go ahead and start the trend, then.

My main travels with a lot of different mages and clerics and I can't think of any who would start charging for buffs. That is just silly. Every class has their role in a party. One of the caster's is buffing. Should my rogue start asking money for every trap disarmed or chest unlocked? Or maybe ten coins a head for every foe she kills with her damage output?

There is a difference between you running into a cleric and asking him for a Greater Restoration and they charge you for it or even, for example, a wizard buffing a few travelers before they head out of town ask charging for his/her services.

I can't see that happening on a party where everyone has their skills and is supposed to contribute one way or another.

[Fluffy the Mad]

Not a chance. You're thinking of this as an all-or-nothing thing. If even a small fraction of the mages and clerics on the server never charge for buffs, they'll suddenly become by far the most popular. And to answer you, you would most certainly need a merchant's license for this. You'd be consistently selling a service or good.

[Sadistic Hobo]

There's no monopoly, because power to grant +5 is not in the hands of the few. There's no shortage of spellcasters. But if your spellcaster wants 1,500 gold for a greater magic weapon spell, there will probably instantly become a shortage of parties willing to take him.

My cleric will always take and sometimes demand tithes for blessings, but that's about principle and respect to her god, not so much profit. If those tithes were thousands of gold they'd just seek out someone who doesn't charge.

This wouldn't be feasible because for something as basic as buffs, which so many PCs can provide, someone will always be willing to undercut a charge. It's free in NwN, so there's no pain in doing so. Such fees would never be able to stick naturally.

[quelunia]

I made my first pure melee character here after the server came back on the new vault. He is just hitting a point that to leave certain areas means he needs better gear which most is +2 or he needs buffs. This is when he is in a party. As the caster types like to charge since they have either uber good ac or uber good DR... My character being pure melee with no magical support is just along for the ride. I could use a bow, but the casters arent willing to use strategy which forces me to either go back to soloing or just buy a better bow and let them charge .. My character cant do it the way they do. And, if you think I am going to pay for buffs when my arse is the one taking damage to allow the casters to make money you lost your mind.

The casters are rushing to get the most bang for their spells. To which I say, melees should go on strike.. Yeah... Get a bow and pull the same crud the mages did at low levels. *nods* And expect a fair split of the loot if they decide not to .. Kill em ... LOL!

We melees carried you mages for the most part the whole way to level about 7 or 9 depending. To say at higher levels you deserve more of us .. ya you lost your ever loving mind.

[quelunia]

Let me just say this... The group goes to fight something that requires a +5 weapon and the melee must ... MUST! Rely on those capable of casting such spells. That is already a monopoly. So, the casters that dont buff the warriors or support staff to hit said monster, guess what I do? I run right by the casters, and around a corner to quaff an invis potion without a word? How would the caster feel about that? Bet he would be pretty peeved if he lived.

There are a feel caster out there when they see a caster begin countering so the melee can engage... Those casters I get along with, or the cast casts darkness.. They play smart. Strategy... I could go for doing a dungeon without buffs, but I cant run around like a ding a ling because the caster is trying to make sure his buffs dont wear off. That is pure insanity.

[Trollfiend]

The casters you're talking about don't seem to be playing very well based on what you've written. A mage who knows what he's doing doesn't need much support if any once he reaches +5 status. I know. I permakilled a mage that high. Things became easy. In fact, it's been said by many casters that once they hit that point, or slightly above it, things get too easy.

I don't charge around trying to make sure my buffs don't wear off. That's what extend magic is for... okay I'll stop. Maybe I'll make a mage tutorial thread soon... sounds like one is needed.

[quelunia]

Dec 29, 2013 14:51:06 GMT -5 Trollfiend said:

The casters you're talking about don't seem to be playing very well based on what you've written. A mage who knows what he's doing doesn't need much support if any once he reaches +5 status. I know. I permakilled a mage that high. Things became easy. In fact, it's been said by many casters that once they hit that point, or slightly above it, things get too easy.

I don't charge around trying to make sure my buffs don't wear off. That's what extend magic is for... okay I'll stop. Maybe I'll make a mage tutorial thread soon... sounds like one is needed.

I would be interested to hear what you have to say. My old main was a caster that had +4 so I never hit the +5. But, the DR I had your right I could do almost anything. I look forward to seeing your thread.

[Aseanamous]

1. Pure fighting classes couldn't afford this since they're the poorest of all the classes.
2. If someone's in your party, you'd want them to be as strong as possible so they can protect your hide... so I see no IC reason for this unless your character wants to be excluded from groups.
3. If a mage starts charging for spells, a fighter should start charging to fight. Their costs would balance out and it wouldn't matter in the end.

[quelunia]

Dec 29, 2013 15:00:23 GMT -5 Aseanamous said:

1. Pure fighting classes couldn't afford this since they're the poorest of all the classes.
2. If someone's in your party, you'd want them to be as strong as possible so they can protect your hide... so I see no IC reason for this unless your character wants to be excluded from groups.
3. If a mage starts charging for spells, a fighter should start charging to fight. Their costs would balance out and it wouldn't matter in the end.

My melee now would just pay it up.. when the job was about over stab the mage in the back and leave him there... Well some mages .. and clerics.. not all. Seeing as my melee would be carrying the loot.. *shrugs* They got paid...