Carpentry

I promised in this post to take a look at the issues facing carpenters. These are just my personal comments...I don't pretend to speak for the carpenter tradeskill class, of which I am not even a member.

My general idea going into this was simple: I have to think of some way that carpenters can create items that actually help in gameplay (besides boxes). You see, every other tradeskill class can make items that help in combat. Also, none of the items made by carpenters are consumable or attunable, unlike those made by the other tradeskill classes.

But I discovered something that truly took me by surprise when I did my research. The majority of carpenters don't want what I thought they would. They are happy with their role in the tradeskill pantheon and want to stick to making household furnishings. They just want to be treated fairly.

I also realized that certain members of the carpenter forums had done a better job of making their case then I could ever do. So instead of giving my uniformed opinion, I direct you to this fantastic post by Didi which does a great job of discussing both general and specific issues. I found it truly to be a truly excellent guide.

Also, TiberiousTrouble does a nice job in this post of compiling suggestions, with pictures of items that carpenters could create.

I'll just add my input. In one of my earliest posts back in March of last year, I referenced an interview in which Moorgard stated, "We are currently planning a system wherein a comfortably furnished house will provide tangible benefits, such as enhanced regeneration of Vitality. " What happened there? Not that I think this is feasible anymore as Vitality seems rather hard to burn through currently.

But okay, let's put that aside and say that most carpenters are happy just making items most would consider "fluff." I personally consider them fun roleplay items. SOE should be grateful for that and make sure not to completely stiff them by not giving them Tier 6 advanced recipes, which is what they did. These people are doing their best in a difficult field and they should be at least given the same consideration as the other classes. Why they did not get T6 advanced recipes is a complete mystery to me.

I also think they should be given more recipes for some really attractive and amazing household items. A lot of the coolest items are from the holiday events and status merchants and that's just unfair to compete with.

In doing my reading on the carpenter forum, I was really impressed with the way most of the community there conducts itself. I really hope they get the modest improvements they desire. And hey, if you have some extra money, why not buy some household items? You can check out some of the absolutely amazing and imaginative ways people have designed their homes in the Norrathian Homeshow Forum.