Nerwa
Well-Known Member
N.B.: This is a work-in-process and will be edited & added to as time allows.
Dear Player,
It is my observation that at any given point someone is expressing their frustration to the Forum with regards to the Trader. "Unfair!" some bemoan. "Unbalanced!" is the complaint from others. "Something Must Be Done!!" is the chorus.
Never fear - something CAN be done! Whether or not it IS done - is up to each individual player. The secret lies in one's mindset when approaching the Trader: Are you entering as a Shopper, a Petitioner, a Helper, or a Seller?
Most players will use each mindset at various times, frequently in combination. However, it is my experience that Maximally Effective players will primarily operate as Sellers and/or Helpers. These two mindsets enable a player to both adapt to and exert influence on their local market. For example, if the local market is not ideal for their existing circumstances, a Shopper or Helper may add or subtract factories to reflect current trends.
In contrast, Shoppers and Petitioners are dependent not only upon *what* others are posting but also upon: When posts listed; the quantity of goods; which goods are requested in trade; and how active other shoppers. If the current market does not provide needed goods, Shoppers and Petitioners are left frustrated.
Added 28 June: At this point, I shall focus primarily on Selling, as I find it to be the most beneficial and interesting of the mindsets.
As a Seller, my typical Trading session goes as follows:
Forthcoming: Maxims to Maximize Effectiveness; edits for clarity & cleverness
Dear Player,
It is my observation that at any given point someone is expressing their frustration to the Forum with regards to the Trader. "Unfair!" some bemoan. "Unbalanced!" is the complaint from others. "Something Must Be Done!!" is the chorus.
Never fear - something CAN be done! Whether or not it IS done - is up to each individual player. The secret lies in one's mindset when approaching the Trader: Are you entering as a Shopper, a Petitioner, a Helper, or a Seller?
- With a Shopper's Mind, one enters the Trader hoping to find needed goods, ideally as 2- or 3-star trades. Many (not all) Shoppers additionally hope for same-tier trades or other restrictions (e.g., size of the trade). A Seller rarely posts trades, or only does so without taking into account trends within their local market.
- The Petitioner's Mind is common among early players with few resources. They may ask for help from more advanced players (neighbors and/or FS team-mates) or post frequent small-quantity trades. A player advancing through the research tree should outgrow the Petitioner's Mind quickly, except for rare occasions (e.g., an especially difficult Spire). In those unfortunate circumstances where a player does not outgrow Petitioning, they may be viewed as a chronic Beggar, always asking others to fulfill needs and playing from a state of constant scarcity.
- Entering with the intent to fulfill trades from one's FS and/or small neighbors, with limited regard to one's own needs, is the hallmark of a Helper's Mind. A Helper might enter spontaneously or by arrangement. An example of the latter is an out-of-pocket player asking a fellow FS member for a 0- or 1-star stock-ups during Spire. Mutually beneficial exchanges of boosted goods can also be Helpful.
- A player with a Seller's Mind approaches the Trader with plans to post trades, which may range from charitable and affordable 3-star trades to profitable 1-star trades. (0-star trades are rarely effective for Selling; those should most be viewed as Petitions.)
Most players will use each mindset at various times, frequently in combination. However, it is my experience that Maximally Effective players will primarily operate as Sellers and/or Helpers. These two mindsets enable a player to both adapt to and exert influence on their local market. For example, if the local market is not ideal for their existing circumstances, a Shopper or Helper may add or subtract factories to reflect current trends.
In contrast, Shoppers and Petitioners are dependent not only upon *what* others are posting but also upon: When posts listed; the quantity of goods; which goods are requested in trade; and how active other shoppers. If the current market does not provide needed goods, Shoppers and Petitioners are left frustrated.
Added 28 June: At this point, I shall focus primarily on Selling, as I find it to be the most beneficial and interesting of the mindsets.
As a Seller, my typical Trading session goes as follows:
- Beginning on the 3rd tab ("Your Offers"), I hope to find that list empty. Trades lingering more than 12 hours or so, is a signal that I have failed to meet market demand and are normally deleted. (There are exceptions, such as especially large Offers.)
- Next I move to the 2nd tab ("Place Offers") to study my on-hand quantities and decide what trades I am interested in placing. Before entering the trades, I move on to the 1st tab - the Marketplace.
- In the Marketplace I scan available Offers. To be clear - this is not a Shopping trip as such; it is an evaluation. (E.g., Are there certain goods which are Offered widely, such as Gems? Are the offers large or small? Same-tier or cross-tier? How long have those trades been posted?) If an existing Offer counters my needs, I accept that Offer. Perhaps I will Help an FS team-mate or a small neighbor in passing. Otherwise it is time to reverse course.
- Once back in the 2nd tab I place my planned Offers (adjusting as needed based on the Marketplace visit) and review the 3rd tab for errors. All told, my Trading session is usually complete within 2-3 minutes.
Forthcoming: Maxims to Maximize Effectiveness; edits for clarity & cleverness
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