Everything you wanted to know about crafting points and more

[Maxx Power]

UPDATE: Now with 11% less errors.

Ah Crafting Points. Elusive little buggers aren't they? Whether it's wanting to upgrade a gem early on, upgrade that uber rare item from Baal or downgrading runes, a lot of item creation revolves around these little points. For those who just want to carry on playing the game without having to worry too much about this modifier, it's easy to forget to keep an eye out for items with Crafting Points added onto them. But how do we maximize it? How can we reach that elusive 2800(!) that allows us to access every rune in the game? Well for your convenience, here's a guide to every equipment slot and the best way to get Crafting Points out of it.

First of all a point on cube recipes, namely one; Emerald + Regular Arcane Shards + ID Scroll + Armour = 10/7 Crafting Points if Regular,Superior,Rare,Crafted/Unique. In this sense you won't see Magic items recommended as they CANNOT be upgraded using this recipe, and as such will miss out on a major chunk of possible Crafting Points. Also note Weapons don't have an equivalent recipe.

Secondly on Arcane Shards; The quickest way to get these is to gem shatter magic items and then ID scroll them to get Dull shards, three of which make one Arcane Shard. My advice would be to gem shatter rings and amulets since they only take up one space in your inventory so you can pick them up as you go without having to stop. It also allows you a chance to find further crafting points by rerolling the item as a rare. You can also gamble amulets and rings, which are uber cheap later on in the game and can produce loads of rare jewelry to de-enchant.

Thirdly on rare creation, if you want to try rerolling rares until the sun burns out then feel free. Note that for body armours to have maximum possible sockets, they need to be tier 6. You can either gamble/gem shatter them at lower Tiers and then upgrade them using the relevant cube recipe. Helms need to be Tier 5 for non-class specific types. Gloves need to be Tier 6. Belts need only be Tier 2. Boots need to be tier 6. Shields are a bit trickier. Only Bone and Spiked Shields can get enough sockets for Forge at Tier 5, and six sockets at Tier 6, with the exception of Assassin specific types. Only Totem and Bladed shields can get enough sockets for Forge, which they do at Tier 5 also, and six sockets, also at Tier 6. Since Decay is generally the best weapon for crafting points for most classes nearly any weapon at any Tier will suffice. The class specific ones need at least Tier 2 for Barbs, Tier 3 for Amazons.

Body Armour

Theoretical Best: Perfect Rare Armour (400) w/ 6 Sur runes (150) upgraded 9 times with Crafting Recipe (90) = 640
Realistic End-game Best: Perfect roll Tier 6 Hralti's Craft (400) w/ 6 Sur runes (150) upgraded 11 times with Crafting Recipe (77) = 627
Cheap End-game Best: Semi-Perfect Rare Armour w/ 6 Sur runes upgraded x many times = Varies
Early game Best: Rare Armour upgraded where possible = Varies
Honourable Mention: Ascension (Gem,Gem,Gem,Gem,Gem,Perfect Emerald: 333) upgraded x many times = Varies

For the sake of 13 crafting points, I would recommend Hralti's over attempting to find a 400 crafting points rare armour since the odds are astronomical. Really if one were to gamble Ring Mail exclusively you would find the unique before exactly 400 rare armour. And that's not taking into account the armour needs to support 6 sockets to begin with AND requires the Six Demon Bag to be socketed whereas Hralti's comes complete with 6 sockets at Tier 6 regardless. As you're levelling up any high crafting point armour you can find. There's no decent Crafting Points runewords and even the second lowest band of crafting affixes can out do them.

Maxx's Advice: Hralti's craft all the way, unless you get really lucky. You can even gamble it earlier on any use it, but don't waste too many emeralds on it.

Helm

Theoretical Best: Perfect Rare Helm (300) w/ 4 Sur runes (100) upgraded twice (20) = 420
Realistic End Game Best: Halo Runeword (Sur,Mal,Sur,Ohm : 150 points) upgraded 11 times (110) = 260 OR Semi-perfect Rare helm w/ 4 Sur runes upgraded twice = Varies (321~420)
Cheap End Game Best: Any Rare Helm w/ 4 Sur runes upgraded x many times = Varies
Low Level Option : Any Rare Helm upgraded where possible

Again much like the torso armour getting hold of Halo will prove easier than a perfect rare item. However for most of the game it'll be your best bet to search for a rare helm, either from gambling or out in the field. There's no unique alternative here unfortunately.

Maxx's Advice : Stick with rares until you get Halo, then upgrade it when you can until you find a rare that will produce a higher value.

Belt

Theoretical End Game Best: Perfect Rare Belt (300) /w 2 Sur runes (50) upgraded 2 times (20) = 370
Realistic End Game Best: Truce (Sur,Hel : 150) upgraded 11 times (110) = 260 OR Semi-perfect Rare Belt upgraded w/ 2 Sur runes upgraded twice = 271~370
Cheap End Game Best: Truce (see above)
Low Level Option : Any rare belt w/ crafting points upgraded where possible

Much like your helm there's not a whole lot on offer, only one runeword and rare items. As before just keep your eyes peeled.

Maxx's Advice : Use rares early on, upgrade to Truce when possible and upgrade when you find a suitable rare

Boots

Theoretical End Game Best: Perfect Rare Boots (300) w/ 4 Sur Runes (100) upgraded twice (20) = 420
Alternative: Semi-Perfect Rare Boots w/ 4 Sur runes upgraded twice = 321~420
Cheap End Game Option: See above
Low Level Option: Any rare with crafting points upgraded where possible

And you though the other slots were bad. This group doesn't even have any runewords. You'll be totally reliant on rares in this slot.

Maxx's Advice : You're at the game's whim as to whether or not it endows you with a rare with crafting points. Just ID every rare booties you see.

Gloves

Theoretical End Game Best: Perfect Rare Gloves (300) w/ 4 Sur runes (100) upgraded twice (20) = 420
Realistic End Game Best: Nahaul (Thul,Jah,Sur: 250) upgraded 11 times (110) = 320 OR Semi-Perfect Rare Gloves w/ 4 Sur runes upgraded twice = 321~420
Cheap End Game Option: See above
Low Level Option: Any rare with crafting points upgraded when possible

Now this is a bit more like in. In this catagory we get a high-level runeword with a nice crafting point bonus on it. You may end up using this right until the end given the low odds of the highest band of crafting points to spawn.

Maxx's Advice: Nahaul it as soon as you can, don't be afraid to upgrade. Otherwise it's those pesky, fickle rares again.

Jewelry

Theoretical End Game Best: Any Perfect Amulet (300) and two Perfect Rings (100) = 500
Realistic End Game Best: Semi-Perfect Amulet and two Semi-Perfect Rings = 383~499
Low Level Option: Any Amulet/Ring with crafting bonuses

Jewelry is a big provider, but is the most confined. You can't socket them, you can't upgrade them, there's no runewords and there's no unique alternatives. Your best option is to just keep picking up rings and amulets as you go and ID them all.

Maxx's Advice: Leave no piece of Jewelry behind.

Weapons and Shields

Before I begin this section note this is where it gets a bit...tricky. There's no real difference between armour slots for most of the characters (there's only one jewelword that contributes to crafting points, but really rares are still better there). We have to take into account one-handed weapons, two-handed shields, uniques, etc. etc. So for this exercise I've decided to consider each class on their own merits. Simply scroll down to the class you want to look up to find out more information.

NB: On a personal note I find it utterly bizarre that, given that crafting points appear on other runeword weapons and a few uniques, that they are outclassed by a low-level runeword, Decay. The higher level runewords have less crafting points and the unique items just to say reach Decay's value. Only a few items are better than Decay, all of which are class specific, and two of which you're unlikely to come across. Still it's better than shields, that have only one high-end runeword that adds more crafting points than simply socketing Surs. Also there are NO crafting affixes for rare weapons/shields, so don't bother looking.

Amazon:

End Game Best: Trishula Amazon Javalin (Zod,Sur,Amn: 250) + Forge Shield (Vex,Zod,Tal,Zod,Zod : 333) upgraded 10 times (100) = 683
Alternative: 6 socket Sur Weapon (150)
Cheap/Low Level Alternative: Decay Weapon (Ort,Ral: 100)
Honourable Mention: Any shield w/ Surs upgraded 11 times = 135~260

By the time you can get Trishula it's probably safe to say you'll have access to Forge. Until then you're only real option is Decay. You may also want to get the runewords Sail and Freedom, but to be honest you're only getting back the investment in Surs if you socketed them into a white shield. Until then there's no source of crafting points on shields. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

Maxx's Recommendation: You're stuck with little until you have loads of Zods to play with, at which point you'll be rolling in points. Until they get Decay and upgrade to a six socket weapon.

Assassin;

End Game Best: 6 * Socketted Sur Weapon (150) + Forge Shield (Vex,Zod,Tal,Zod,Zod : 333) upgraded 10 times (100) = 583
Cheap/Low Level Alternative: 2 * Decay Claws (Ort,Ral: 100) = 200
Honourable Mention: Any shield w/ Surs upgraded 11 times = 135~260

Assassins, like Barbs, have the benefit of being able to dual-wield, thus giving them double the amount of crafting points available on the weapon slot early on. Later on their options are as limited like the Amazon and other classes. Still having 200 crafting points with low-level runes so early on is nothing to sneeze at.

Maxx's Recommendation: Dual-Decays until you start getting Surs or can make the Forge Shield.

Barbarian:

End Game Best: King Tiger Barb Sword (Sur,Lum,Amn : 200) + Forge Shield (Vex,Zod,Tal,Zod,Zod : 333) upgraded 10 times (100) = 633
Mid Game Best: Dual King Tiger Barb Swords (Sur,Lum,Amn : 200) = 400
Cheap/Low Level: Dual Decay Weapons (Ort,Ral: 100) = 200
Honourable Mention: Sur shield

Like the Assassin the Barb has early access to dual Decay weapons, but also gets his own runeword later on that surpasses it.

Maxx's Recommendation : Dual Decays, then Dual King Tiger's, then Forge when you can make it.

Druid:

End Game Best: 6 Socket Sur Weapon (150) + Forge Shield (Vex,Zod,Tal,Zod,Zod : 333) upgraded 10 times (100) = 583
Mid/Low/Rest: Decay Weapon, Sur shields.

Druid's get the bummest deal when it comes to crafting slots; No class specific runewords, uniques and of course no dual-wielding. You'll be stuck with Decay for most of the game, so pick it up early. Sur shields, weapons and make Forge.

Maxx's Recommendation: Decay early on, Forge when you can and also a six socket Sur weapon

Necromancer:

End Game Best: Six Socket Sur Weapon (150) + Forge Shield (Vex,Zod,Tal,Zod,Zod : 333) upgraded 10 times (100) = 583
Alternative: Six Socket Sur Weapon (150) + Binding Necro Shield (Lem,Amn,Jah,Sur: 200) upgraded 11 times (110) = 460
Low/Mid : Decay

Necro's get the Binding runeword shield, which you can theoretically get earlier than Forge. Otherwise they're on the same boat as the other characters for most of the game.

Maxx's Recommendation: Our old friend Decay, with Binding becoming available just before Forge, and Sur weapons at the very end

Paladin:

End Game Best: The Flying Anvil Unique Sacred Bonebreaker (300) w/ 3 Surs (75) + Forge Shield (Vex,Zod,Tal,Zod,Zod : 333) upgraded 10 times (100) = 808
Alternative: Six socket Sur Weapon (150) + Forge Shield (Vex,Zod,Tal,Zod,Zod : 333) upgraded 10 times (100) = 583
Alternative: Sur shield/Decay

Pally's get one of the best possible crafting totals on their weapon/shield combo, second only to the sorceress. Unfortunately it is from a VERY hard to find unique item. If you are lucky enough to find it then you'll have 375 crafting points on a single weapon. Otherwise they're on the same boat as the other classes.

Maxx's Recommendation: Decay + Sur shields, and hope that the unique drops when you're in one of the Level 121 areas. Upgrade your Decay to a six socket Sur when you can

Sorceress:

End Game Best: Cathan's Rod Unique Sacred Globe (400) w/ 2 Sur runes (50) + Forge Shield (Vex,Zod,Tal,Zod,Zod : 333) upgraded 10 times (100) = 883
Alternative: Six socket Sur Weapon (150) + Forge Shield (Vex,Zod,Tal,Zod,Zod : 333) upgraded 10 times (100) = 583
Other options: Sur shield

Sorcs get the very best single amount of crafting points on a weapon in the game. However, it also relies on you finding an extremely rare item in order to get them. Taking that into account expect to use Decay for most of the game until you can get six socket sur weapons.

Maxx's Recommendation: Decay, Forge, Sur Weapon, you know the drill. If you do find Cathan's Rod then it's amazing luck on your behalf.

Other slots

Charms: There's only one charm that gives crafting points and that's the Optical Detector (200). Be sure to pick it up as soon as you can manage it (See the uber quest documentation for more details).

Breakpoints

Of course holding out for an item with two extra crafting points won't do you much good if you've already reach your target goal. Below are the common break-off points for different levels of crafting points;

50: Upgrade Flawless Gems -> Perfect / Low-Level Crafted Weapons

100: Disenchant Uniques / Brilliant Crafted Weapons

150: Reroll any Rare/Unique except Jewels and Amulets

200: Upgrade Glowing Arcane Shards -> Brillaint Arcane Shards / Low-Level Crafted Armours / Upgrade Tier 2 Rare/Crafted Items (keep/reroll modifiers) / Upgrade Tier 1 Unique Items / Reroll Rare Amulets/Jewels / Reroll Rare Item to ilvl 99 except Jewels and Amulets / Reroll Unique Amulets/Jewels

250: Reroll Rare Amulets/Jewels to ilvl 99 / Basic Alchemy

400: Disenchant Sets / Brilliant Armour Crafting / Generic Crafting / Upgrade Tier 3 Rare/Crafted items (keep/reroll modifiers) / Upgrade Tier 2 Unique Items

500: Advanced Jewelcrafting / Advanced Alchemy

600: Upgrade Tier 4 Rare/Crafted Items (keep/reroll modifiers) / Upgrade Tier 3 Unique Items

800: Upgrade Tier 5 Rare/Crafted Items (keep/reroll modifiers) / Upgrade Tier 4 Unique Items

1000: Upgrade Tier 5 Unique Items

2600: Upgrade any three runes

2800: Downgrade any rune

My personal thoughts

When you actually lay out the possibilities for crafting points, it's easy to see just how out-of-balance they currently are. Much of it relies on luck of finding a decent roll on a rare item, while others rely solely on runewords. It's helped out by the cube recipe that adds more crafting points, but options in general are limited. That's why I made this guide, since for some players finding crafting points efficiently can be quite a daunting task, especially since it relies so much on luck. It's a good system, of that there can be no doubt since it stops any player from abusing many of the recipes until they've played enough to find equipment. It's also impossible to reach many of the highest breakpoints without cubing extra crafting points, which means it prevents twinking of items for crafting. However unless you go out of your way to collect crafting points, late-game can prove a bit of a nightmare as you spend hours collecting cash to gamble for certain armour slots or hunt excessively for socketed items. Perhaps my number one piece of advice is this; if you find something with crafting points, for the love of cheese hold onto it!

[TestSubject]

End Game Best: Decay Weapon (Ort,Ral: 100) + Forge Shield (Vex,Zod,Tal,Zod,Zod : 333) upgraded 10 times (100) = 533
Cheap/Low Level Alternative: 2 * Decay Claws (Ort,Ral: 100) = 200
Honourable Mention: Any shield w/ Surs upgraded 11 times = 135~260

Why are you not upgrading Decay? If you do, you can get an extra 190points per Decay. So 723 with Wep/Shield, 580 with dual claws.

[Maxx Power]

[quote=TestSubject";p="353620"]Why are you not upgrading Decay? If you do, you can get an extra 190points per Decay. So 723 with Wep/Shield, 580 with dual claws.[/quote]

Pay attention to the guide. There's no equivalent Crafting Points recipe for weapons.

[jedimaster86]

Very nice guide man. With jewelry, I usually ended up finding my best ones via gambling because as you get further into the game, rings and amulets become very easy to gamble due to their cheapness.

I still usually pick up any rare jewelry I come across, but I don't use plugy so my space is often a bit limited to be picking up magic ones as well.

[RagnarokX]

Im wondering...1000 always seemed enough for me, it allowed to upgrade t5 into t6. I believe the only reason to have more is downgrade skyrunes ?

[HaveASmile]

[quote=RagnarokX";p="353635"]Im wondering...1000 always seemed enough for me, it allowed to upgrade t5 into t6. I believe the only reason to have more is downgrade skyrunes ?[/quote]

Skyrunes *shiver*

Anyway, it is... Though you also need 1000+ to upgrade Zod and above runes. 1000 are enough for "normal" purposes, though.

[Brother Laz]

What happens if instead of a 'Decay' weapon, you take a six-socketed 1h weapon (large axe, crystal sword...) and put 6 Surs in it?

[TestSubject]

Why are you not upgrading Decay? If you do, you can get an extra 190points per Decay. So 723 with Wep/Shield, 580 with dual claws.

Pay attention to the guide. There's no equivalent Crafting Points recipe for weapons.

But you said on Amazon weaponry-

Amazon:

End Game Best: Trishula Amazon Javalin (Zod,Sur,Amn: 250) upgraded 11 times (110) + Forge Shield (Vex,Zod,Tal,Zod,Zod : 333) upgraded 10 times (100) = 793
Cheap/Low Level Alternative: Decay Weapon (Ort,Ral: 100) upgraded 19 times (190) = 290
Honourable Mention: Any shield w/ Surs upgraded 11 times = 135~260

Does it just work for Amazons or is that a typo?

[Maxx Power]

Why are you not upgrading Decay? If you do, you can get an extra 190points per Decay. So 723 with Wep/Shield, 580 with dual claws.

Pay attention to the guide. There's no equivalent Crafting Points recipe for weapons.

Amazon:

End Game Best: Trishula Amazon Javalin (Zod,Sur,Amn: 250) upgraded 11 times (110) + Forge Shield (Vex,Zod,Tal,Zod,Zod : 333) upgraded 10 times (100) = 793
Cheap/Low Level Alternative: Decay Weapon (Ort,Ral: 100) upgraded 19 times (190) = 290
Honourable Mention: Any shield w/ Surs upgraded 11 times = 135~260

...

Look either be constructive or don't mate, I had to write this thing out twice because the power got cut to my computer.

@Laz : Valid point I didn't consider that. Updated accordingly.

[TestSubject]

All constructive now. [edited]

[Skivverus]

I think he was talking about your lack of explanation regarding the quotes. It may be obvious enough to you what the quotes say, but it can't hurt to say just what's going on with them.
And no, Amazons aren't special regarding upgrading weaponry.

[TestSubject]

I have that problem...most of the conversation happens in my head...edit quest.

[Maxx Power]

[quote=TestSubject";p="353676"]All constructive now. [edited][/quote]

All edits done. If anyone has anything else to add feel free to do so, though I think I've pretty much covered it (P.S. Laz: This Thread = Sticky, Non?)

[Xeraan]

Amazon: ... Cheap/Low Level Alternative: Decay Weapon (Ort,Ral: 100) upgraded 19 times (190) = 290

As usual, I guess you just forgot to fix one instance

- Sur shield and weapon should just always list a fixed value of 150+11*10 CP, few six socket base items have higher levelreq than the 61 from the runes.
- Mention that there are only two shield types which can get 6 sockets, maybe? Ok, there are two additional assassin-specific ones... but still.
- You don't need to gamble tier 6 armour pieces, just gamble anything (preferably lower tiers due to lower costs) and upgrade the rares before socketing.
- You can socket with Larzuk, too. Once you can kill Malic, you get unlimited socketing anyways.
- Gamble jewelry instead of only mentioning to pick it up? Rather cheap, compared to armours.
- A short list of the rare affixes would be good, for the interested:
gem shattered: max. 240 torso, 60 rings, 120 other slots
torso gambled/found: ilevel 89 for 361-400, reqlevel 71
ring g/f: ilevel 89 for 91-100, reqlevel doesn't matter because no recipe (71 too, though)
other g/f 1: ilevel 99 for 201-300 (that range is just... ouch), reqlevel 106
other g/f 2: ilevel 89 for 181-200, reqlevel 71... mentioned because with upgrades that's +90 = 271-290. With the higher affix you need to be way more lucky, you beat those only if you roll rather good (above 260, on average, due to only 2 upgrades).
This last train of thought might be too technical, though... your choice. Or just take a look at the affix page and write your own notes about it...

Hmm, maybe link it in the guides sticky?

[Maxx Power]

Fixed everything pointed out except this;

[quote=Xeraan";p="353691"]- A short list of the rare affixes would be good, for the interested:
gem shattered: max. 240 torso, 60 rings, 120 other slots
torso gambled/found: ilevel 89 for 361-400, reqlevel 71
ring g/f: ilevel 89 for 91-100, reqlevel doesn't matter because no recipe (71 too, though)
other g/f 1: ilevel 99 for 201-300 (that range is just... ouch), reqlevel 106
other g/f 2: ilevel 89 for 181-200, reqlevel 71... mentioned because with upgrades that's +90 = 271-290. With the higher affix you need to be way more lucky, you beat those only if you roll rather good (above 260, on average, due to only 2 upgrades).
This last train of thought might be too technical, though... your choice. Or just take a look at the affix page and write your own notes about it...[/quote]

Way too time consuming. If you or anyone else wants to do this then that's fine. Personally I trust people enough to simply look up the affixes themselves. Still most of the time knowing ilvl's/alvl's etc. don't really help much in realistic terms.

[Brother Laz]

Stickied. I took the liberty of removing the (!) smiley, though.

[Maxx Power]

[quote=Brother Laz";p="353747"]Stickied. I took the liberty of removing the (!) smiley, though. [/quote]

Seeing my other sticky reminded me how horribly outdated it is. I swear I'll get round to updating it once I've moved.

[oneillz808]

Honourable Mention: Ascension (Gem,Gem,Gem,Gem,Gem,Gem,Perfect Emerald: 333) upgraded x many times = Varies

is this a jewelword

if so, it should have five jewels, then perfect emerald

if not, my bad