Alright, people are posting faster than I can read (good sign), so... going to stop and give input up to this point. Stopped back at around page 5, in case people are wondering. Here are my 45 cents so far (inflation you know):
I'm all for any idea that dumps stam and sinks gold. Explanation: Duh!
I 100% approve of all potions being bound. Explanation: you do it or you don't. I think this cuts down on secondary effects for the non-monetary system (ie, buff sales, potion creating, etc) already in place. Grant it, that's not necessarily a good thing.
Based on them being bound, I'd like to see a VL factor involved in the gold cost. Explanation (?): I'm not going to math-head that idea at present, but what I would like to see are "alternatives" to buff purchasing mostly for lower level players. This is equally relevant for low level creature-murdering players as for those who GvG, etc. I think, whatever the difference is in the formula between gold a 900 level gets vs a 50 level on a hunt should be included in the equation at the same ratio. I do realize that this doesn't rule out a 900 level giving their 50 level guildies gold... but I do think it's a logical acquisition adjustment based on the fact that they are bound.... and a gold sink is a gold sink.
I was full on 100% for there being some type of ability to combine (for example) LE fragments into Epic, until Pardoux made a comment. Explanation: That comment made me realize that I was really against Epic fragments being included at all. In short, too many negative secondary effects. I think Epics need to continue to flow into the game and drive down FSP prices, not the other way around. That said, I'm still for combinations. I guess I would exclude Epics all together, but... the Inferno Hammer is still boggling my brain... ah well... it's used in a Recipe, for what? I don't remember, lol.
I would exclude SE items from the equation, despite comments to the contrary. Explanation: I only see price increases across the board, people pay for locs, and people from all levels want that medal. Increase in competition is unnecessary and probably detrimental to the game.
As far as Crystalline items are concerned, I would not make a special section for them but rather reclassify them as Legendary Crystalline. Explanation: After all, Chompers are some of the few things that actually continue to spawn in the "old" idea of a Legendary Event. It would also serve the purpose for those wishing to be able to do "something" with those items. Durability at 0 would not work, but... hey, somewhere there's a point.
For those complaining (notice I didn't say whining) about the fact that the original idea on this was an item dump and they don't like the fact that a gold sink has been included... I really have nothing to say except for the fact that you can always use that drop button, not to mention continue to use the preference option that saves your bp spaces already.
The major benefits I see from this are:
It adds another aspect to the game that some will be interested in and some won't. If you're not, that's fine... after all, anti-PvPers still seem to think that stealing gold via mass genocide of defenseless creatures is somehow more noble than stealing it from murderous thieves. Look on the plus side... some will enjoy it.
It might inspire some more teamwork in this social-networking game which is the only thing that holds it together. I could see myself helping out lower levels to make their potions by sending them my "useless" items. Perhaps, perhaps....
To HCS: thanks for moving forward on the idea. Most of us understand some adjustment will be necessary. You know that not everybody will be pleased... ah well...
Prospeorus smacking everybody... looking forward to seeing how it all pans out (o0