†††SELLING IN THE SP FARMING LEVELS†††
UPDATED:
1.1 March 9, 2007 --- Friday
Change log:
-added a title
-note added about reaching the 19th level
-note added about SP farming in other levels
-note added about when and how to farm SPs
-note added about Pet carriers and GTs
-note added about auto recovery option
-note added on market feel
-note added about checking other stalls for price range
-note added about SP faming in levels 10 to 13
-added theory#5
-added theory#6
-changed opinion on use of "metal armor" and replaced it with "garment armor"
-changed some typos
-added some colors
This is my first informative post here so please go easy on me. 
Now I've read a lot of arcana about the importance of SP farming and how it beats the "keeper-upers" in the game. With this much logic put on emphasis about SP faming, I'd like to present (if it hasn't been presented before
), my selling theory in this all too important time.
Note: The Battalion, a great guide maker, suggested to reach the 19th level at least once to take advantage of the stats being given from levels 17, 18 and 19. I've read also that getting pass the nine level gap decreases SP distribution, rather than increasing it. I haven't noticed that much change from level 17 to 18, when I didn't level down. But DON'T farm on the 19th level (if your 9 level gap is centered on level 16), for the SP distribution is REALLY noticeable, and the Bandit archers turn BLUE.
Note: SP farming is not solely done in levels 16 to 19. I read that it could also be done in other levels, or when you feel that your skills are not keeping up with your grinding. The most important part of SP farming is to farm on the GREEN colored monsters, which is usually the most easily killed and highest-giving-SP creeps you could take on simultaneously, without using that much pots/potions or gold for repairs.
Now you've noticed, for those who have been farming their SPs, that it takes a considerable amount of time to SP farm. I'm already level 16, but I don't have yet the recommended SOS items. This is because like most people who join the game, they are all noobs to begin with. I consider you exceptionally lucky if you're being sponsored by a high tier character (usu. has a guild and maybe even alliances), because this person might give you the starting items necessary for farming out SPs (just like the long stashed SOSun bow that is handed down from generation to generation
)
So, considering the amount of time spent on acquiring SP farming equipments, and the pains of starting out, you will have an ENORMOUS amount of time spent on levels 10 to 16. This, in turn, comes my theory on selling at "these" levels.
Note: It is also important to know when to stop SP farming. Some people (as I've read in other topics) stop when they get bored grinding on the same creep all the time, while others push their way to the top fast (level fast) so that they can have certain advantages. The advantages I am given to believe are...
1. They obtain items (usu. SoS drops also) along the way that can be sold or used later.
2. As you may know, your account allows you to make three characters and these characters all share the SAME STASH, which means that what your other character picks up he can share with his other characters. This feature is useful since this helps your other characters get good items early on if you leveled up fast.
3. They rack up gold also, aside from items.
4. They get a good feel of the game, so that they'd be wiser in making their "dream" build.
Theory#1
The things mostly needed by SP farmers are pots, "very good" weapons, and "garment" armor. I read in a guide that SOS bow build doesn't need that much armor, since pretty much all fall after 2 or 3 shots. Garments also have the benefit of increasing movespeed and reducing mana intake. Ergo, reduced reliance on pot, means reduced spending on money, means you could buy that SOS weapon earlier than usual.
Note: Pet carriers (monkey, squirrel, and rabbit) and GTs (Gold Tickets) are also important when SP farming. The reason I didn't include it in theory#1 is because you have to pay for it in the item mall. It is essential for a smoother and faster gameplay experience, but not totally required in the game.
Note: There are guides that states that the use of the Auto-recovery option should be used later in the game (about level 30 onwards). Their reason is that you could very well control the rate of pot intake at levels 1-29 without that much stress. But in my experience using "Auto-pot" helps a lot in the Bandits Stronghold, for it lets you focus more on grinding. So it's up to you to decide if you are going to activate Auto-recovery or not.
Theory#2
To take advantage on the SP farming levels, I advise x2-x3 selling on items from levels 11-16, on plus items use the formula [NPC price x normal item multiplier x number of pluses x 2].
e.g.
I have HLT (+4) trousers, NPC price 1900. Using the formula you'll have...
1900 x 2 x 4 x 2 = 30,400 gold
Since HLTs come at lvl13 and lvl14 it's a keeper, so you may use the price on the formula, or deduct 20%-25% depending on the market environment.
Note: Once you get a good feel of the market you could price any item just by looking at it. Important things to look for are... the pluses "beside" the stats (e.g. blocking ratio 15 (+100%)), blues (I favor the Str, Int, Parry), and the all important plus "on" the item (e.g. Linen Suit +9).
Note: I can't stress enough the importance of knowing the market. To know the market just "window shop" on other stalls, and note the price range of the items you're selling. In most cases you'll spot items sold at a lower price which you can sell again for a profit, so it's not a complete waste of your time. Keep in mind though that you must pick easily-sold items, even if it's a bargain if you cannot sell it at once it's a complete waste of your time.
Theory#3
Jewelry is to be sold, in my experience, x6 its normal value. All accessories are keepers in the SP farming levels, since you got to max out all your inventory slots. The more items in your slots the better your farming experience.
Theory#4
Levels 1-10 are not to be included in my theories for selling in the SP farming levels. This is because (a) there is a quest for a free level 10 weapon so any level 10 weapon being sold is a hard sell (except if its "special"), (b) you can pretty much tank out the creeps by what is given to you in the beginning and what items you pick up, and (c) not many people have that much money to spend at this level (unless that person doesn't know the importance of stashing up cash for the "important" items).
Note: This theory is debatable because I've encountered many people who are willing to buy level 10 items, with me using the formula. I don't know what the fuss is about in levels 10 to 13, but I guess it's also about SP farming since I've read that you could also farm Yeohas (since they move rather slow) to gain your planned SPs.
Theory#5
In all possible circumstance NEVER spend anything on useless stuff. You may see an SoS on "sale" and feel compelled to buy it, but I strongly advise that you keep your money so that you could buy that farming bow. I've seen SoS bows fell creeps in 1 SHOT. An SoS bow user can ruin your day if you don't know how to deal with KSing (killstealing), so stock up!
Theory#6
In business (since selling is a form of business) you invest a lot on INFORMATION and SECURITY. Since the other theories discuss about filling that LACK of information, I will focus now on security. There are a lot of topics that discuss this in SRF the most notable is the stickied
"SRO Account Hacks: How it's done and how to stop it" by whpwnage. I have done what whpwnage suggested and in this thread I will add other things to further protect you from hackers.
1. First step is to check if your computer is affected by any spyware or adware. These malicious programs gather DATA about YOU. All information regarding your credit card, e-mail, and even the sites you visit are gathered by these programs. An unsecured credit card or e-mail is the worst nightmare any internet spender dreads, much so also for gamers. To scan your computer for these programs I recommend going to the
Kapersky Website free virus scanner (Kapersky by the way has the highest benchmark in detecting computer viruses and malware programs).
2. After this if the scan proved positive on any viruses or spyware programs, copy the scan log (from the finished Kapersky scan) then submit it to the
Tom Coyote website (you must register first to access forum privileges), and wait for further instructions from the active and helpful community of programmers.
3. Visit the site's
Security Related Self Help Tutorials to prevent virus and spyware attacks in the future.
4. After having downloaded the required "free" security programs (e.g. ZoneAlarm Firewall, Ad-aware SE, Spybot, etc.) change all your passwords from your e-mail to your game account name. Make a new e-mail for your game account, then replace your profile's e-mail address with the new one. As whpwnage suggested "treat your e-mail as your password", because hackers use this to change your password IN-GAME. If you have tweaked the official website of silkroad you will see in their Change Password option that it requires your ID and your E-MAIL. Your ID cannot be changed, but your E-MAIL can, so like a password change your e-mail regularly in your PROFILE.
5. Avoid giving your ID and password to "anyone". Not even your guild mates are to be entrusted with that information. To avoid being scammed just nail in your heart the principle "What is mine is mine" and you're going to be fine.
6. Ask a White Hat (whpwnage for example) to hack your account to test its security, then ask for his suggestions on further improving your system. If you can give monetary recompense for his efforts, then that would be good to further the White Hat cause.
7. As further prevention from virus and spyware infection avoid visiting adult websites and game cheats&hacks websites. These sites are FULL of viruses and spyware programs. Even with the security programs installed in your computer these malicious programs might sneak past it, for NO SECURITY PROGRAM has a COMPLETE grasp on hacker prevention.
8. Lastly, never open any e-mail from someone you don't know, for these messages contain trojan programs that can seriously degraded your system.
That is the sum of my theories. I have other things I might add up in this thread, some ideas keep evading me. Feel free to comment, slide in opinions, and (although it's very disheartening) shout out your protests.
Thanks for reading my theories and I hope it helps all you people playing SRO.
P.S. I play in El Dorado by the way.
