I had this problem that i only had 1 helm (spiral scale helm)
and i wanted to make a drake scale helm.
But before i could do that i had to take off my helm just to insert it in the alchemy thingy. No problem right? WRONG! I had to freakin buy a cheap helm in haven because noone else had one for sale for a cheap price, and i was like omg.....
so yh i was stuck in haven till i had enough energy to get back to emberlight which was so lame.. because my passes were also expired.
I suggest to be able to take all of ur equipment so ur just a skeleton sort of and still can move. this way peopole wouldnt have to buy a item just to make a upgraded item.
Tee hee :-). Didn't think of that.
Even YPP has something like that -- you can't trade your only sword/shirt/etc to someone else, even if you're getting something in return.
I guess the answer is: Don't get rid of your cheap 1-star starting equipment when you upgrade to zero-star better gear.