im relatively new to this, but after looking at the wiki apparently 1 star items used to have alchemy paths, and it was common to make a whole bunch of 1 star items in hopes of getting a unique variant and selling that one for a lot of crowns. now, there are no more 1 star items that have alchemy paths all the way to 5 star (i think the highest now is 3). in my experience, UVs occur rarely enough that this cost increase for alchemy is really not necessary.
1 star items no longer having alchemy paths
I wish they would bring back alchemy paths that goes from 1* all the way to 5*. It would allow knights to form bonds with their weapons (I remember when I I had this callahan was still a punch gun, for instance.) It would also make more sense (why doesn't a heavy hatchet upgrade into a Troika? They have the exact same attack patters.)
Perhaps they could bring 1-5* alchemy paths back if you couldn't get UV's on any items below 3*. Or maybe they could bring it back if they limited the strength of the UV depending on the level of the equipment made. For instance, a 1* item can only get a low UV on it, a 2* item might get a low or medium, etc.
Why does it have to be 1*, when 2-5* is the majority of an alchemy path anyway? Honestly. if your taking any weapon up to 4*, your already committed to it.
Theres also an advantage of not having to hunt down a pre-req recipe once you decide what 2* star gear you want to make. For players just starting, this is a major crown saver.
i tried my hand at "ragecrefting" and ended up bankrupting myself, and i have a feeling that happened/happens to a bunch of people. i think my point stands, UVs are rare enough that ragecrefting isnt really worth it anyway. besides, there are so many possibilities of useless UVs as well, like "damage bonus against (creature type x): low"
will you guys quit askin the devs to waist their time with meaningless and pointless crap you feel like whining over
it was common to make a whole bunch of 1 star items in hopes of getting a unique variant and selling that one for a lot of crowns. now, there are no more 1 star items that have alchemy paths all the way to 5 star
thats exactly why they took it away so people WOULDN'T ragecraft 1 star items that cost 10 energy and sell of the highly valued for loads of money
in my experience this was a smart move. i doubt there will ever be 1 star items with 5 star alchemy paths in future arsenal expansions.