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Mar-19-2011 20:47

I've completed more than 160 IH favors in a row in hopes of receiving a specific favor reward, without luck.

There are how many possible items? And the odds of not receiving a specific item for more than 160 favors in a row? I think I have a vague answer for this, and it starts by putting a few zeros right of the decimal point.

Anyone else have this happen? Can you beat my record? Is this the result of some algorithmic hiccup? I wrote to Ben to see if it might be a glitch (even though I felt a little ridiculous doing so), and haven't heard back.

How many skill points for "patience" ?

Mar-19-2011 21:13

At the moment, depending on where you are, there are roughly 15-20 IH favor rewards possible (the boat has its own group, therefore, those can be added onto that list when you're on board). The odds of NOT receiving a particular item are unknown, at least to me, (I'm a doctor, not a mathematician), but it can be quite the long stretch. And yes, it's happened before. Fairly often, actually, though again, actual numbers aren't known.

Can someone beat your record? Indupitably. Is this the result of foul play or computer malfesiance or other kind of hiccup? Probably not, no. Double said number, then you'd probably have a case. Dunno if Ben can or will be able to help you, but there's no harm in asking. How many skill points for 'patience'? At the moment, none, though it's a skill that has been suggested before.

As for other solutions, two come to mind offhand.

1. There is at least one thread winding its/their way around the boards talking about "trading items". There was even, at one point, a 'trading post' thread. You might do a search, and then post on one or more of these threads for your needed item. You can offer to either trade for a comparable item, or buy it outright.

2. You can, if you're with an agency, try and get together with your agency-mates, or otherwise contact a group of colleagues or friends, and ask them to keep an eye out for said item when they are doing their favors. Again, the same scenario from #1 applies. You can either trade or outright buy your needed item.

Hope all this has been a little bit helpful. Many of us have been in your shoes (especially when we've been dealing with certain ornery individuals in Shangri-La). It will get better. Eventually. (Sorry. Again.)

If you'd like, the members of Wish would be happy to help you with your search. PM any of the Directors, and we'll have a chat.

Good luck, and happy hunting! :-)

Dave

Mar-20-2011 02:37

^
Very good suggestions indeed!

On the other hand if you are looking for a specific item you have to know that in most of the cases they are city connected…meaning that some items are extremely rear (if available at all) in some cities while they are fairly common in others. To give you an example….hehehe just try to find Rasputin eggs or Russian fur hats in Shanghai and you will easily break any record.

Unfortunately to tell you in which cities (or city) you can find a specific item is considered a spoiler

Mar-20-2011 14:18

Thank you both for your suggestions and offers of help. David, this item IS for a particular "ornery individual!"

I'm going to keep looking for the item myself (I'm not in an agency), and maybe travel a bit more regularly. I'm sure I just need to be more patient.

And its funny, VS , I'm usually in Shanghai, and I've seen been offered several Rasputin eggs AND Russian fur hats in the last couple of weeks. Maybe this is character-dependent too?

Happy sleuthing!

Mar-20-2011 15:36

More likely just the luck of the draw. The server goes through certain runs of luck from time to time. Some times, one can't unclam a suspect no matter how hard one bats one's eyelashes, or smacks their kneecaps. Others you can't get a particular item (you're currently in that scenario ;-) no matter how hard you try. Unfortunately, the server determines these trials, and we poor mortals have very little influence over it. There's also no way of knowing when the current run of 'luck' will change. Just keep going. All I (and others) can tell you, is eventually, it WILL change. (Though for good or bad, is again, another kettle of fish. Oops. ;-)

Good luck!!

Breit

Mar-20-2011 16:14

stupid question, it's probably been stated above and I have just skimmed over it, but what item is it you're chasing?