It is clear to everyone that no one likes the forging system. However, it is also clear that OOO is not interested in removing the forging system. To fix the forging system, we have to improve it and make it more "fun." Here's how I propose we do this:
1. Instead of using fire crystals to level up once the heat is maxed, fire crystals are used to gain heat. It will be exactly like pre-forge, except where fire crystals are used to heat instead of the heat from monsters.
2. Fire crystals can be condensed. That is, three 1* crystals become one 2* crystal, and so on.
3. Forging works 100% of the time. There will be 2 heating options in the forge. The first will be "normal" heating, while the second option has a chance to give a forge box.
Here's why I think each of these help:
1. A huge problem right now is that we have to use 50 crystals or some astronomically high number like that in order to gain a level. The astronomically high number isn't the problem, because OOO clearly needs to make money. The biggest problem is the method of heating. It is much more interesting for the player to GRADUALLY heat their gear instead of having to grind for 2 hours and THEN accomplish their goal of a heat level. Players will actually be able to feel like they're making progress, rather than going against a grinding wall.
2. No one wants to do the same level over and over again. With this second change, players can do any level and still heat the gear that they want to heat. There will still be a reason to do the more difficult levels, since the crystals in the more difficult levels have more value.
3. Forging right now:
"I have 30 shining fire crystals that I grinded a whole hour for! This better work! Come on, come on, you can do it forge...f**k."
That is pretty self explanatory.
-----------------------------------------------------
I think that these suggestions will fix the forging system, though I would like some help from the community to improve these ideas. Give me criticism if it helps. You can even tell me that these ideas suck.
So are you proposing that Fire Crystals could just be used to gain heat faster, or that they replace the heat system completely?
Being honest I don't really mind forging right now, but I haven't gotten to 4-Star gear yet so... yeah, but I can see why Tier 3 players despise it because Shining and Radiant crystals are so scarce and the chances of your weapon being heated on later levels becomes minute when you don't feel like shelling out 30+ crystals. I'm probably going to have to grind for Glowing Fire Crystals soon to heat up my 3-Star stuff to at least Level 7, so that's gonna be fun. (/sarcasm)