Q1: What is the IBI?
A1: The IBI is an average building cost in Istaria. Much like the Dow Jones Industrial Average, this number is an indicator of economic strength within Istaria. The number can be translated into Average cost per tier per unit of construction. Because this number takes into account raw resource values, it also can be used as an economic indicator for the rest of the crafters.
Q2: How is the IBI calculated?
A2: The IBI is the average of individual building crafter indexes, which is created based on an average cost/tier based on values of raw resources. The IBI for example may be at 2.340 (2 silver, 340 copper per built unit per tier) while the Carpentry index may be at 4.000 (4 silver per built unit per tier)showing an above normal demand for carpentry service, or an increased cost of raw materials.
Q3: Ok... so you use values of raw materials to get a value for how much it costs to put a unit into a building, and average those across all building skills... But I can build a unit for much cheaper than you are showing and make a profit. Is your formula faulty?
A3: Not at all. The formulas display a break even point (0 loss, 0 profit) for a person with MINIMUM skills. If you have perfect skills for something you are doing, your break even point for building units is 1/3 of that value. You can then use the index to determine the cheapest you can do work for without losing money.
Q4: So how do you figure out the value of raw materials?
A4: This is done by using a weighted average of raw materials sold in major markets, such as Bristugo. For items there is not a definate average, such a value can be extrapolated from other sources, such as calculating transmutation costs to increase T4 to T5 resources
Q5: This is all well and good for a building crafter, but im a scalecrafter! How can i use this?
A5: This is why the index shows raw materials as well. As the rest of the indexes, it is a value per tier per raw resource. Assume you want to make a strength scale (doesnt matter what tier!) All strength scales require a certain amount at minimum skill (in this example, we will say 30) Say stone index was at 0.010 (10 copper per slab per tier) This means your scale cost is 0.300 per scale per tier. A Granite strength scale, at tier 3, would then have a fair value of 900 copper. Course, you can charge anything you want if there is a demand for it.
Remember, something that requires a 100 skill can be assumed to be T1.5 for calculations (skill+200)/200=Tier level
Because of this, you get a built in increase of value for teched items
Q6: Ok, what do you need from us?
A6: Ahh just need a list of trade centers that are normally visited, other than bristugo and major cities... Place your advice now!
----The numbers in my signature are temporary, and actually show the "Val's Equilibrium Level", which if ever reached would be the cost where 100% of players would rather do it themselves instead of pay others. It is also equal to Pawnbroker values for purchasing.------