» Sat May 28, 2011 2:20 pm
The balance I advocate is...
Character not specializing in mercantile or crafting: difficult to earn money, but can survive and support adventuring over time by doing quests and odd jobs. Will be able to acquire high level loot through exploration or by buying it only after having earned it by saving for a long time, or becoming high level enough to survive the dungeons where the loot dwells waiting for them.
Character dablling in crafting: can earn decent money with the wares they create, and more if they specialize in crafting further. Easier to buy high level loot than those who ignore crafting entirely.
Character specializing in crafting and mercantile: easy to earn money, because they've invested the time in improving in those areas specifically. Can afford high level loot earlier in the game, and on a regular basis.
That way making it easy to earn money is optional and available to those who want it, and for everyone who doesn't invest in that path, it's hard enough that finding high quality items or finally saving enough to afford them is an accomplishment, and not something that becomes too easy as we progress. This way the mercantile skill will matter more (finally,) too. (Assuming it still exists, of course.)