Devious Map Pricing

[Cygnus]

I decided to find out what a true value of a Level 5 (Devious) map is. I searched many a vendor and had found a few at around 10k, many at 15k, some at 20k and others at ridiculous prices not worth mentioning. I have done hundreds of these maps already and thought that the 15k price range was most appropriate, but I wasn't positive. I have gone stretches where the gold drop was towards the bottom of the scale, the mobs hardly spawned and I got the minimum amount of items (87). Of those, I would barely get to 14k. But there were a share of some decent ones, so it was time to do a test. I did 2 test runs. One with 5 maps and another with 10.

Test parameters: I had only 470 luck. Only things counted were the gold drop, gold from mobs both spawned and nearby that attacked, and gems sold. I did not count reagents, or any thing else that could be sold because they are usually not. I also pulled out every item from the chest. All chests were dug up in Trammel.

Test Results: Out of the 15 attempts, I averaged 16,360gp based on the criteria above. Normally I would be lucky to get 1 Ingenious maps in 15 attempts in Trammel but tonight I got 5. I also got a Clever, Expert and a Plain map from nearby monsters who stopped by to investigate. I also got 4 figurines, 2 coconuts, 5 Soulstone Shards, 4 buckets and 3 pieces of LP/Carp armor.

Now, if you are a seller of these maps, you may choose to say the average would be much higher if you count the loot from the Level 6 maps I got. That would seem logical, but for me, I had an anomaly in that regards. Still, at best, I do not think the average would rise above 20k and I am not in this to break even. Anyways, take this and do what you feel is best for you.

I will be running a 10 map test for Level 6 (Ingenious) soon. Stay tuned.

[Opopanax]

This is very nice info, thank you for sharing! I don't do maps that frequently, so it's easy to lose track of what I've gotten from each. I've yet to get any +lockpicking gear from a lvl 5 chest, what modifiers are on +gear from this lvl? I have 120 lockpicking, but I haven't got any lvl 7 or 8 maps to try yet.

[Eless]

Very nice post. I did a similar test on 100 lev 5 maps and my conclusions and numbers were similar.

One thing that I'd like to add is that it took me on average 45-50 min to do every 10 maps, I also looted everything from the chests and had most of it automated with scripts.
For me 15k is a break even price. I bought mine for the same price and at that moment in game it consumed almost all of my resources and I needed 8h or so just to break even.

I probably wouldn't do that again, 10k a piece - yes, 12k probably too, but 15k, I don't think so.

[Stephen]

I also find the pricing to be to high. It isn't like they are a rare thing to obtain. Every time you kill a peerless boss (Lady Mel, Dreadhorn, Travesty, Effusion, etc) you get a map. Usually to get access to some of them you pay about 15 to 30k for the keys. The rate at what you get from a devious map seems to be less than 15k in itself on average. I could see using potential for the Ingenious maps....but that potential isn't very great on Trammel maps at least. (Felucca isn't much higher).

I think the reality is that they price them higher because there is no repercussions on pricing in Town Center. You post the price you want. If no one buys no worries. Whereas when I tend to see players selling at vendor malls or elsewhere, I see the price usually lower, possibly due to the daily fees u pay weather it sells or not. (That is a whole different problem so I won't go further on that one)


I would pay about 5 to 8k per Devious Map. Isn't cost effective anywhere over that for me. But really if you want the prices lower. Stop buying the high priced ones. Just relax on it or spend the money on Peerless key set, Get a map that way for slightly more with a chance of imps or weapon drops.

That's just my opinion on it though.

[erised_faylen]

i've done something very similar.. i have a spreadsheet showing loot range etc and I don't pay more than i would loot for gold from maps. Its not worth it otherwise. I think if you're putting in the effort of actually doing the map, you should be able to make something off it for your time other than getting more maps [which you don't even get many map drops off the trammel ones like you do with fel maps]. just my 2 cents. you make minimal amount if you loot reagents, the gems do add up to be a nice chunk of change on their own though.