Nerfed, Doing Something Wrong, or Horrific Luck?

[Sunamae]

I've been saving for a long time and finally decided to blow through my pile of rhenium ore bonded loams to make sacred symbols. Started at 268, did 190 combines... 5 skillups. Seriously? I have 495 int, salvage 3, smithing aa 3, and an old 5% smithing trophy. I thought that the symbols had a 5% bonus chance to skillup, but according to the calculator that is horrible luck even without it.

I know about bad runs, but I don't see how that is possible with a bonus chance to skillup.

Sunamae
7th Hammer

[Greymantle]

Seems about right, i get one skill up per 30-40 combines

[Ngreth Thergn]

Marginally low, but about right for that skill level.

[Stewwy]

I've been saving for a long time and finally decided to blow through my pile of rhenium ore bonded loams to make sacred symbols. Started at 268, did 190 combines... 5 skillups. Seriously? I have 495 int, salvage 3, smithing aa 3, and an old 5% smithing trophy. I thought that the symbols had a 5% bonus chance to skillup, but according to the calculator that is horrible luck even without it.

I know about bad runs, but I don't see how that is possible with a bonus chance to skillup.

Sunamae
7th Hammer

I made intricate armor to 280 or so. Gloves I think. Made templates till they maxed then used bonded till it maxed on gloves, then did symbols. Seemed to me to be the most efficient use since with templates/armor you get two chances for a skill up.