Grandmaster Smith?

[Calabar]

I used to be all about making the plat. What I found out about myself is that plat really isn't that interesting. Making armor and social interaction is where all my fun comes from in EQ, so I make it a point to answer calls for help and ambassador my trade the best I can.

Now this is what I like to hear. I understand that GM trade skillers, blacksmiths and tailors especially, need to make bake some of their investment. And I don’t have a problem with that. But as far as I’m concerned this game is about people. If it weren’t we’d all be playing Baldur’s Gate or some such game. So I think it’s great when I find somebody who feels the same and is willing to help those around him or her.

As for what constitutes the title of GM, I feel this should only go those who can no longer gain skill in their chosen profession. Grand Master says to me that you are among the best of the best. If you do not have 250 skill then you are not yet the best of the best. But as this thread proves, it’s all a mater of interpretation.

[kiztent]

Grand Master says to me that you are among the best of the best. If you do not have 250 skill then you are not yet the best of the best. But as this thread proves, it’s all a mater of interpretation.

Ok, I'll bite.

I have 2 characters. One is a natural 250 skill with no geerlok. The other is a 220 smith with the VT smithing gloves.

Random person 1 asks for a GM smith for a combine that is over 250 trivial.

Show me one test you could perform to differentiate between the two characters' smithing skill (actually the "real GM" has a lower chance to make items, but geerloks are cheap so whatever).

If you can't do that, explain what criteon besides success at making smithed items you use to determine who is the best.

Thank you.

[Calabar]

For the purposes of creating item “X” I’m in complete agreement with you. There is no difference in what either of the two characters in your example can create. But I stand behind what I said earlier, in my opinion the character with 220 skill and the gloves is not a Grand Master smith.

I think our difference in opinion comes from our different perspectives. You are looking at the numbers and I’m looking at the character. There is more to this game then just numbers. I’m not saying numbers aren’t important, they are. But if numbers were the only thing that mattered then there would be no use for the title of Grand Master Smith, we’d just say 250 smith or 250 effective skill. The use of a title infers characterization and role-playing. To call someone a master is to praise their great skill and understanding of their craft. But to call them a grand master is to place their skill and knowledge above all others in their craft. A smith with a skill of 220 and magic gloves may be able to create the same items as grand master, but he’s dependent upon his magic and not his skill to do so.

To use a baking example from the real world, would you be more impressed by someone who baked a cake from a mix or someone who baked it from scratch? They may both be delicious, but I would personally admire the skills of the true baker more than someone who used a mix.

So if this thread had asked if a 220 smith with VT smithing gloves was just as effective as a smith with 250 skill and a geerlock then I would have to say yes. But the title of Grand Master Smith, to me, implies much more.

[eqNichola]

People respond to those? /boggle

I respond to calls for a GM Smith whenever I see one in the bazaar (250 raw skill). About 60 percent of the time it's someone who wants a combine, has a question, wants "ranger heraldic" or who knows what else. The rest of the time the person wants some armor made. I have made atleast 30-40 pieces over my career by answering these calls for help.

Over the last 4-5 months, I have helped hundreds of people make anything from skinning knives to heraldic and everything in between. Most people are amazed when I help them. I've heard countless times, "Wow, most GM tradeskillers won't talk to me." Or, "I've been looking for a GM xxx forever now," or even, "You're not like other GMs, they are usually rude to me."

I used to be all about making the plat. What I found out about myself is that plat really isn't that interesting. Making armor and social interaction is where all my fun comes from in EQ, so I make it a point to answer calls for help and ambassador my trade the best I can.

~Fall

Well that showed me didn't it! ops: I salute your patience sir!

[Astroshak]

Its all personal opinion.

I consider someone who has over 200 skill a grandmaster. This is a holdover from the days before the New Tanaan Crafting Mastery AA's that let you GM more than one skill; used to be you could only take one general tradeskill over 200.

Looking at the definition of "Grand Master", however, taken from the MSN learning and research dictionary :

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

grand mas·ter (plural grand mas·ters) or grand·mas·ter (plural grand·mas·ters)
noun

1. chess top chess player: a champion chess player who plays at an international level


2. somebody outstanding: somebody who is at the highest level of ability or achievement in a particular field


3. group head: a head of a brotherhood of knights, or of a fraternal organization such as the Masons

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With that definition, I can see an arguement that one is not a GM unless they've got a 255 MODIFIED (because there is no effective difference between 243+geerlok and 250+geerlok) skill. I can also see an arguement for the 250 unmodded skill; 255 modded is highest level of ability, 250 unmodded is highest level of achievement.

Even with those arguements there, I still feel that (because AA is "unnatural" to your character, its an aded ability not an innate one) someone taking a tradeskill over 200 makes them a GM in that skill. Not because of their current skill level, but because thats the skill they've chosen to GM.

[Kaysha Soulsinger]

...255 modded is highest level of ability...

252.

[Kcalehc]

I call my self a Smith and shall do so whatever my skill is. I don't need a fancy title or anything to wave about showing off my skill. I mean you could call your self The Grand High Overfiend Of All That Is BlackSmithed but it doesnt change your skill, or make you a better person...

If someone is asking I tell them my skill (and if appropriate if I think I can make whatever it is they're after), thats all they really need to know.

But I guess thats just me then.

[Queletan]

I would have to go with the idea that Grandmastery requires no further advancement... To me it is an title earned by virtue of the very hard work one has done. At 250, nothing advances one's skill, you have learned your trade as few others will ever do... There are few things you cannot craft, you are truly a grand master...

It is probably a degree of snobishness (sp?).. as far as I know I am the only person on my server with 250 unmodified.... other people can do what I can by virtue of their mod items (sshra hammer, seru belt), but I have (in my mind) beaten smithing. I will never see a "you have gotten better at" message again for this skill. Several people have the ability to do the combines that I can, but I can do it with out a modifier item... bragging rights perhaps, but that works for me

Q