First of all, thanks for all the hard work Etopia - this valuable information is much appreciated!!
One question that has not been asked yet (I think?) is how success in crafting is defined. I assume from the thread that Etopia (and most others) consider success to be simply the item you are crafting being created. However, I think it's important to consider "partial" success in any discussion about COS.
- failure - materials gone
- failed to make item, but res or materials returned
- item made with low tt
- item made somewhere between minimum/maximum condition
- item made with maximum tt + some amount of residue/bp/gemstones added
At the end of the crafting session, I judge my success/failure by different outcomes depending on what I am crafting - for items that are destined for the tt, it's the total tt value of all the items + the residue + bp's/gems less the cost of the materials used to craft them. For non-limited items that I will sell on the auction, it's the quantity more than the tt value that is more important.
Sure, leave the COS bar maxxed on quantity if you are making items that are not limited, but for limited items that might not be the best choice. I myself was content to craft in the beginning with the COS maxxed for quantity, but as my skills developed, I have found that low level bp's (even with 100 qr) don't produce well at all with that setting. I'm sure other crafters have experienced this as well. If total tt value is what I'm after, I find I am more successful with the COS bar set somewhere less than max on quantity.