It is a well-established fact that we players are suffering a severe lack of Radiant Fire Crystals to forge our 5* equipment.
Once upon a time this was not an issue. In spite of the absurd forging costs (453 rads from level 1 to level 10 if you choose the 100% forging option), assuming no double level ups), forging was okay due to the sheer abundance of radiants, which dropped from d22 onwards. At this point in time, people lamented the relative rarity of Shining Fire Crystals instead.
Then radiants were removed almost entirely from the stratum 5/6 loot drop tables, giving rise to the RADIANT DROUGHT. During this time, radiants dropped only from d28 (and very rarely d27). People raised an uproar - and rightly so! - about this, resulting in the loot drop tables being amended to make radiants drop from d26 (and very rarely d25) onwards instead.
While this alleviated the radiant drought to some extent, as things currently stand, the majority of end-game players (Defender Elite onwards) do not have enough radiants to fully heat all of their 5* equipment. Nor do they have the inclination to grind FSC back-to-back day after day. Or slog through 6 floors of compound-infested T3 Arcade (starting d18) for a chance at a small handful of radiants. Or spend an exorbitant amount on shadow keys to gain access to the very challenging Shadow Lairs, which often require fully heated 5* in the first place! (Same thing with the Danger Missions, minus the key part.) Or grind the few rank 9 missions other than King of Ashes which grant access to d26 - and a rather pitiful radiant payout. Or throw away 700E (because people simply aren't THAT rich, and there are better things to spend energy on). You get the idea.
Bottom line is that radiants are not readily available - BUT THEY SHOULD BE. Limiting a resource vital to our enjoyment of the game (awesome fully-powered 5* equipment) strangles the community and makes people resentful. Therefore I propose the following idea:
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Recipe: Radiant Fire Crystal
Shining Fire Crystal x5
Glowing Fire Crystal x10
Warm Fire Crystal x15
Dim Fire Crystal x20
Cracked Fire Crystal x25
Crafting cost: 800 crowns
Crafts 3 Radiant Fire Crystals.
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Allow me to state the numerous benefits of implementing this idea:
1. Introducing a new recipe is much, much easier than altering loot drop tables.
2. Many end-gamers have an over-abundance of lower starred fire crystals. Since (bound) fire crystals are unable to be traded or vendored, this provides a means by which to consume them (other than forging).
3. Players do not feel constrained to play T3 (and specifically FSC) all the time, because they can now play lower tiers, collect lower level fire crystals and STILL progress their 5* equipment.
4. Defender Elites, who do not have easy access to S6, can now obtain radiants to upgrade their 5* equipment (provided this recipe is not a mission reward and is made available to everyone).
5. Obtaining radiants via monetary means is independent of the energy market (which is effectively monopolised by a super-rich minority).
6. Obtaining radiants does not involve a minimum 20 minute time investment to travel down to d26 (which is more feasible for casual players).
So band together and support this idea with me, peoples!
Note: No, I will not move this thread to the cesspool otherwise known as the Suggestions sub-forum. I feel that my idea would attract more attention here, and since it would apply to and benefit a lot of players, such attention is warranted.
Totally supporting this, as someone who has to spend about a dozen dives for a single heat level for my 5* gear, I believe easier access to Radiant Heat Crystals would benefit everyone, they are extremely hard to acquire in larger amounts than maybe like 6 at a time on average? That's really not feasible at all, it makes heating the end game gear extremely tedious and boring.
Lets make this happen guys! lets fix this radiant drought once and for all! and make heating much less painful than it currently is. :3