I think all the orange, possibly non-orange too, armor links to one 'file' for both the Imp and Rep versions. Said file has the different models in it The item that shows depends on if you are a Imp or Rep. Even the faction restricted oranges work like this. The BH and Trooper heavy armor links to the same model.

They are generally CERTAIN to get some of every item at that level iirc.

Maybe increase the RE chance 'a lot' until the first proc, then lower it back down. So everyone gets a blue/purple reasonably quickly, but to get them all you need to put more effort in. Possibly a sliding scale? ~10 RE's to get proc ~20 more RE's to get proc ~30 more RE's to get proc etc RNG based, but makes it a bit less of a grind. OFC remove the possibility of procing the same pattern twice is a must.

I would prefer every model, and some form of customisation for colours etc. Having 3 different identical sets, for each model, with only cosmetic differences would make the craft tree stupidly big.

I think the Imp BH sets share the same problem. But if you look closer you might see an extra bit of jewelry, the BH sets gain a tiny collar round the shoulders iirc.

I tend to sort by level, but that might get more unwieldy as i get more orange schems.

You mean "equally good"? Because you may not like the normal tool for that...

One solution to the "no-one will pvp/raid if crafting is relevant" 'issue' is to gate the crafted higher tier items with profficiencies/pvp level. We already have several requirements on the bottom of items: Level Class Social Level Dark/Light add a 'pvp level' to the pvp gear or make a learn-able 'proficiency' like we have for light/medium/heavy armour. Make the 'ultimate' raid gear functionally identical to crafted gear, but give it a set bonus that only activates in a full group. Make a system where you have to EARN the ability to wear the 'effort free' gear and i suspect most of the problems either side have will be rendered moot. As a crafter i don't care if i cant WEAR all the items i craft immediately as long as i can CRAFT it.

Because the ones you generally speak to are hofficers and nobles?

I'd settle for just releasing more information and a possible eta tbh.

Unless the way that the craft return works is that it IS a quest completion. Just not a quest that shows up on your quest tracker. With the state of some of the features it wouldn't surprise me if this was the case.

For some reason it seems the empire restricted armour points to the same models as the republic restricted armour. At least it does on my Armormech Try it yourself, train the chest of both a the trooper and Bounty Hunter lvl11 orange gear. it should look identical in the preview window.

I think an orange 'Crystal cradle' would be nice. Maybe 3 slots Inner Colour (only available through pvp/raids to get the black/white inner kinda like now iirc) Outer Colour (what most crystals do now, would be statless) Focusing Crystal (has the stats the current crystals have) Artifice would then look neater and more in line with Cybertech with only a couple of different schematics per grade. Maybe space out the different 'normal' colours throughout the list but not character level gated. 'Special' colours could be drops or schem drops so that you have to work to get them.

I think bug as i have been doing some detective work. The Bounty Hunter/Sith warrior gear appears to point to the same models as the Jedi Knight/Trooper gear. At least for Heavy armour. Train a low level schematic for each set, and you should see the model is identical in the craft window/preview. The models are different across the faction divide tho, so i was all excited until i saw the other sides item looked the same. There is a comparison screenshot i did here: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/718/proffgreaves.jpg/ The trooper gear looked the same in my Imp crafters preview window.

Maybe cross-server-lite? every set period the server picks 5 or so other servers to link to. You would get the benefit of cross server, but the choice changes weekly/daily. Maybe some form of soft link? it copies the contents of another servers GTN hourly and no actual items/money changes server? Good for the buyer, choice etc, but bad for sellers.

But you are already trading with the other side once removed, as you are trading with the hutts. And they dont care about one side or the other. And you wouldnt know which side you were buying from at any rate.

Or craft skills so you can choose something that helps your chosen one? Parts crafted by Cybertech and programing options dropped in a new Slicing mission? Instead of an 'Augment' slot have a 'prgraming' slot on the droid compnents? And different voice/personality chips would be nice too. Yank the generic droids personality/voice and put one you like in.

Or make the Hutt terminals see/visible to the empire/republic terminals. So someone can sell to both sides by going to a Hutt terminal and the buyers can use whichever terminal they like to buy stuff. Would kinda make sense as the hutts have their pudgy fingers in every pie within reach.

Actually, the Empire one doesnt need social iirc. Aquired it for my "Sith you are doing it wrong" Inquisitor as soon as i got to the fleet the first time. Had to change the chest piece to a mission drop orange tho, as it was a bit too silly.

I think it could work well from a user point of view if the Hutt trade network terminals could see both other lists, and the other lists could see the hutt one. That way if you wanted to sell to both sides you went to hutt space, but the buyer could be on any terminal. Possibly a nightmare for the devs/server to handle tho.

Some of the patterns are likely faction specific? I know for a fact that some of the orange gear has a different appearance on both sides http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/718/proffgreaves.jpg/ Which is funny because this particular one is restricted to SW/BH...

Kinda bumping to show my badly GIMPed picture proof. Professional Greaves + Chest http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/718/proffgreaves.jpg/ The fact that there are 2 completely different models for this "Sith Warrior/Bounty Hunter" armour depending on your faction lends support to my theory. Why create 2 models if one is not meant to be used?

I think i saw someone post the confirmation they got in game from a CS person on the forums somehere recently. What i want to know is, has the crystal always dropped? Or has 'always' dropped since someone asked the CS people.

Or instead of being a seperate 'faction' the Hutt GTN should list/post to both repubic and imp? Might make Nar Shdaa promenade a bit crowded tho.

Or they could make them coss-server? Would open up the available items. /me runs and hides under a rock.