Topic

A plea to spice harvesters in Ix

*Please* don't pet or water the trees until they have been picked clean, that way more people can get spices from them without having to run by trees that are barren and unable to be pet and watered. At the very least it would be nice if all tree harvesters could get into the habit of harvesting *FIRST* before you pet and water the trees in order to maximize how much can be harvested from them  by other players. To the devs: it'd be nice if the game could highlight the harvest option first if it's available for a tree in order to emphasize that it should always be the first thing you do when the tree is harvestable.

Remember: just because the options to pet and water appear doesn't mean you should always use them. Please be considerate of the other players.

Posted 14 months ago by Toksyuryel Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

  • I'm not sure the impositions here are entirely accurate. Petting and watering doesn't always make more spice appear, so it really wouldn't matter if others pet or water them. If anything, people petting and watering IS being considerate of other players.
    Posted 14 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I don't think it works that way; in fact, I'm 99% sure it works the *opposite* of that way -- more harvestable goods are produced by healthy, well-petted, well-watered trees than by ones that are infrequently petted/watered. (edit: my response is to the OP, not to cerulean.)
    Posted 14 months ago by Fnibbit Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Every time I've given a tree a pet and water (not one or the other, has to be both), everything respawned on the tree. Every single tree except wood trees. I have never seen this NOT happen.
    Posted 14 months ago by Toksyuryel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I see it not happen all the time and I've petted and watered quite a few trees in my day.

    EVERYONE, PLEASE KNOW THAT I HAVE LUBRICATED AND STROKED MANY A WOOD IN MY DAY.
    Posted 14 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • How much you harvest is directly related to your level of skill, not the amount of times a tree has been petted and watered. To my knowledge, the only trees that benefit from petting/watering (and NOT harvesting) are wood trees, and that's only if they are NOT harvested at all. (then, when they are, they yield much more).

    A super harvest is an entirely random event not related to the health of the tree.

    Edit: ALL trees (not just wood trees) benefit from watering / petting, and you gain experience from doing both if you are at the appropriate skill level. 
    Posted 14 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Other trees do grow back their produce if they are low on it when you pet and water them. I usually try to harvest, then pet and water so they're always at full (in my yard that is). But I sometimes forget. If they look full, I usually don't pet and water.
    Posted 14 months ago by Little Miss Giggles Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Xev says it best.  I believe the original poster is confused or misinformed, but petting/watering has nothing to do with your harvest.  It is entirely related to your skill.
    Posted 14 months ago by Joojoo Subscriber! | Permalink
  • That's what I said... lol.

    Also, for those that water and pet after they harvest -- IF that makes more spice (or fruit, or whatever) pop up and you can't take it, then that means somebody else CAN. That's still very considerate of other players, so I still don't understand how treating a tree well can be interpreted as inconsiderate...
    Posted 14 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I wasn't saying anything about the amount of harvest you get from a tree. I'm talking about the amount of times a tree can be harvested. And not the number of times YOU can harvest from it, that's skill-determined. A tree has a specific number of times anyone can harvest it- you can see this visually in how much is hanging off of the tree. When that's gone, NOBODY can harvest from that tree until it grows back. Petting and watering is what makes it grow back. There is a long delay between when a tree can be pet and watered again, so if you do it while the tree still has lots on it, you've essentially wasted it and other players may wind up with a tree that has nothing available to harvest and that can't be pet and watered in order to regrow it. I am talking about being considerate to the players that will come and harvest the tree after you are done with it. If a tree has lots of stuff still on it, don't pet and water it. Save that for when the tree is getting low.
    Posted 14 months ago by Toksyuryel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I usually do harvest first, but if there are a lot of people around with their eye on that tree I'm inclined to water and pet first so that I get the xp and mood boost. 

      I thought you were always able to harvest a tree but not water or pet it if it had just been watered?    I run across a lot of trees in busy areas that I can only harvest and not water/pet. I'd like to get the xp if I can.
    Posted 14 months ago by Treesa Subscriber! | Permalink
  • There are also people that need to complete the "tree back to full health" quest, and they'd need to water and pet a tree that looks pretty healthy to do that...
    Posted 14 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Toksyuryel - Are you sure about that?  

    Because I don't think your assessment of the situation is correct.  

    My understanding is that anyone can harvest any tree, exclucing wood trees, after it's been petted and watered and that's why those actions are first in the action que.  First you water, then you pet and then you harvest.  A glitch can only harvest each tree once (or twice or three times - dependent on your skill level) each game day - so every four hours.  If there is nothing to harvest, all a glitch needs to do is pet and water and then they can harvest.  

    You can't run through Ix and harvest the trees more than your skill allotment per game day.  But you CAN pet and water them multiple times, every five minutes.  Actually, if someone waters a tree and another person comes by within those five minutes, the second glitch doesn't even need to water it!  They can reap the rewards of harvesting of the previous glitch's actions and that's why trees located in areas of heavy traffic don't usually need watering or petting, just harvesting.  

    The aesthetic design and look to the tree may be dependent on its health level but it has nothing to do with how many times it can be harvested.  It's just another really cool aspect of the game that the developers implemented for variety and interest.  
    Posted 14 months ago by Reba Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I too am fairly sure petting and watering needs to be done first to get the full spice load. 
    Posted 14 months ago by Tibbi Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Petting and watering is being considerate.
    People not petting and watering is what is making the trees barren. 
    It doesn't need to run out completely before being replenished. 
    Posted 14 months ago by Ebil Subscriber! | Permalink
  • It's tough to tell how the tree dynamics work. Toksyuryel might be entirely correct, and the rest of us just didn't notice because it's only certain types of trees that have less "life-span" (paper and wood trees, for instance, where these effects ARE indeed noticeable).

    With the recent spice shortage, I would not be surprised if the same limitations became apparent as they are in unusually high demand.

    Perhaps Toksyuryel can elaborate?
    Posted 14 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Toksyuryel, you are mistaken. 
    Posted 14 months ago by La_La Subscriber! | Permalink
  • And maybe those persons aren't necessarily after spice, but need to earn the watering and petting badges for spice trees?
    Posted 14 months ago by Garney Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Toksyuryel is correct, the there are only a limited number of harvests a tree can take before it needs to be replenished. Outside of watering and petting, you can also use Fertildust to replenish a tree.
    Posted 14 months ago by Blitz Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Blitz: Hm, now there's an idea. I could start carrying some with me whenever I make my spice runs. Will a Lite have the effect of fully replenishing the tree, or must it be the improved version?
    Posted 14 months ago by Toksyuryel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • "Trees require wateringpetting and harvesting to survive.The size of harvests is dependent on the growth stage of the tree and the player's skill and XP level. Trees will occasionally bestow unexpected rewards, such as Hooch. Once a tree dies, it will give planks when chopped down using a hatchet."
    www.glitch-strategy.com/wik...  
    Posted 14 months ago by Reba Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Toksyuryel you're right on all counts. Tho i havent noticed this be a significant problem. Maybe I missed it. I think you need Fertilidust for a full jump up, but lite will do for a smaller step. So, lite should be enough unless you see a real crisis.
    Posted 14 months ago by FlirtyvonSexenhaven Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I can say with certainty that the size of harvests is not at all dependent on the growth stage of the tree (though the number of harvests is [and again since this thread has proven to me that I have to clarify this every single time I say it, I don't mean your personal number {which is skill-based} I mean the number relative to all players in the world]). When I started growing my trees in my backyard, from the first moment they were harvestable I got the full amount from them; now that they are fully grown I still get the same amount.

    @FlitryvonSexenhaven: To be fair, it's only a problem in Ix shortly after midnight when the entire world seems to rush down there to harvest all the spice trees. If I wait until later in the day to head down there I never have any problems getting spices. So this could also just be solved with a little patience. But I am an impatient person, so I will start bringing Fertilidust Lite with me :)
    Posted 14 months ago by Toksyuryel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thanks for clarifying, Toksyuryel, and sorry I misunderstood your initial post.

    For those still replying and saying what others have already said, please re-read. Toksyuryel is NOT referring to the AMOUNT of yield per harvest, but the number of harvests available per tree.
    Posted 14 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • But see, that's why I don't grok what your saying.  Because I've always gotten the same amount from each and every tree that I've ever harvested dependent only on my own skill level.  It didn't matter whether the tree was in Ix or my backyard, or anywhere else.  First I water, then I pet and then I harvest and the harvest amount has always been exactly the same each time.  Unless I get a Super Harvester and then I get extra.  

    edit to say: I was writing this at the same the above post was posted and was therefore not able to read it before I posted.   I understand know what was attempting to be said now that it is worded differently by other players; the idea is clearer to me.  Thanks.
    Posted 14 months ago by Reba Subscriber! | Permalink
  • And doesn't the rock in the tutorial teach us to water and the tree before harvesting it?  
    Posted 14 months ago by Reba Subscriber! | Permalink
  • "For those still replying and saying what others have already said, please re-read. Toksyuryel is NOT referring to the AMOUNT of yield per harvest, but the number of harvests available per tree."

    This may be true, but I haven't ever noticed it to be an issue. The only times when I have come across a tree that I cannot harvest is when I have previously harvested that tree within the same day.
    Posted 14 months ago by juv3nal Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @juv3nal - it's much more noticeable with delicate tree types, like paper and wood trees. I often see paper trees around that I cannot harvest, even though I have not harvested them yet that game day.
    Posted 14 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @juv3nal: Try making a run through Ix from midnight to three o'clock. You'll find plenty then. What prompted this post from me was the run I made through Ix this morning, when I ran past six trees that had been stripped bare and did not want to be pet or watered, while I watched other trees that were very full of harvestable spices being needlessly pet and watered (and people doing so before they harvested them).

    Lesson learned from me, I'll either come packing Fertilidust Lite or just wait until later in the day.
    Posted 14 months ago by Toksyuryel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • There are also achievements associated with petting and watering each type of tree a certain number of times, so there's more to it than just harvesting.

    Same goes for wood trees, friends. I've been known to harvest and clear wood trees to get a nice patch. Sometimes, there are competing goals, and no ill intent.
    Posted 14 months ago by Joe Blow Subscriber! | Permalink
  • No ill harm is usually intended, and I don't think that's really the underlying issue. There's been a gas vs. spice tree thing going on in Ix for the past few days, which in turn has dramatically increased the value of allspice in the auctions.

    Consequently, everyone is getting in on the action and harvesting a crapton of spice to sell. It'll probably calm down in the next few days, but in the mean time, it's not surprising that we're seeing some tired trees in Ix.
    Posted 14 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • OK, I water, pet and then harvest trees in that order because I believe the rock taught me to do so in the tutorial.  

    I've never had an issue with it before.  I've always been able to harvest a tree every single game day, and I think I play a LOT because I'm home and unable to do much and I have zero children.  (I'm in the middle of a long recover of a very serious injury.)  I can't leave the house much at all... which is why I'm here in Ur so much.  :-D

    I've only seen what you are talking about with paper trees - I've been unable to harvest them on occasion, but I don't consider them to be like the other trees because I can't plant or poison them.   

    You say you saw trees that didn't want to be pet or watered.  Is this because someone petted and watered them within the five minute time frame that I referred to above?  
    Posted 14 months ago by Reba Subscriber! | Permalink
  • As am I, Reba. I don't think it's something that happens often, and I strongly suspect it has a lot to do with the fact that spice is in such high demand. There's a HUGE influx of players harvesting in Ix these days.
    Posted 14 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Perhaps a second location like Ix needs to be created, like we now have Pollokoo to compliment Ilmenskie Caverns/Deeps?
    Posted 14 months ago by Toksyuryel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Xev - I think another reason people have been harvesting in Ix a lot was due to the street projects too, but I've still been able to harvest every single one of them every single game day.  
    Posted 14 months ago by Reba Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Toksyuryel,  I believe you've got it entirely wrong.

    A player can harvest a tree once each game day.  Any number of players can harvest the same tree without any limitation.  Bean, fruit, spice, gas, or bubble, there is no limit on the number of players who can harvest.  The trees can be petted and watered over and over again, with a small time-out period between the actions.  However, anyone can harvest the tree at any time, and neither harvesting nor petting/watering have any impact on how many players can harvest the tree.

    If you would like, we can get a group of players together to test this out. 

    Egg trees can be harvested until they have only one egg left.  After that, they do need to be replenished.

    Paper trees can be harvested once each game day by each player.  Once they have been completely harvested there is a respawn time before someone else can harvest again. If you stand around and wait for the paper tree to respawn, the 'harvest' verb is not visible until after the tree has been petted and watered.

    Wood trees sometimes have a "harvest and clear" menu item, but usually if you pet and water them, you can get them to the next stage, where they can be harvested without killing them.
    Posted 14 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Toksyuryel, spice trees are all over, especially in the boggy areas like East and West Spice.
    Posted 14 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Can a dev comment on this subject please?  
    Posted 14 months ago by Reba Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Cerulean: Rocks for mining are all over too, doesn't stop people from crowding into Ilmenskie. The idea of Pollokoo is to give them somewhere else to crowd into, and spread them out more. I am suggesting that doing something similar for the spice trees of Ix could provide a similar benefit.

    @WindBorn: The delay is long enough that a spice tree in Ix can be completely cleaned out with minutes remaining before it can be pet and watered again in order to replenish it. You CANNOT harvest a tree that has nothing on it, and if the tree says it does not want to be watered or pet you also can't replenish it until it does want to be. Also, Gardening 2 allows you to harvest each tree (other than paper, have not tested with wood yet) twice per day.
    Posted 14 months ago by Toksyuryel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • There are oodles of spice trees in Kalavana, Jethimadh and elsewhere.  If you want spice trees somewhere else, you can go plant them.  I think anyone can plant them in almost any patch.    Why does an entire area need to be built for this purpose?  
    Posted 14 months ago by Reba Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Certainly with more players it is much harder to get the achievements for petting and watering now than it was in beta, so I tend to always water and pet when I can now, (which I didn't before).

    The game strongly implies that its considerate to the *trees* to water and pet before you harvest, both in the tutorial and in the way the game presents the menu options. If this is really a problem then the game design that needs changing (because the mechanic clearly isn't obvious to most people), rather than telling people they are being inconsiderate for acting in a way that the game encourages.
    Posted 14 months ago by Lukie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Reba: Spice trees only grow in certain areas, namely Ix and the firebog regions. In the latter they are spread out widely and the terrain is difficult to navigate, so much like everyone crowded into Ilmenskie to mine (and I remind you that Pollokoo was created because of that) everyone crowds onto Ix to harvest spices. If you own a house with normal patches you can plant some in your backyard, but that's only at best five trees (and for most houses, less) so you'll still find yourself making the trip to Ix for more.

    @Lukie: I must have forgotten that the tutorial encourages that, I thought it was just players who kept saying that (and I have always wondered why). If true then that is a definite problem that needs addressing, either by changing the tutorial or changing the game mechanics.
    Posted 14 months ago by Toksyuryel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Lukie Exactly!!!  If fully blossomed trees aren't meant to be pet or watered, then why is the broken heart and water droplet icon shown when you walk past them or mouse over them?  The biggest problem I see with this entire thread is that while no one truly knows for sure how the game mechanics work, yet the original post scolded other players for doing the actions the game instructs them to do.  I, too, would like to see a dev post to settle this once and for all.
    Posted 14 months ago by Joojoo Subscriber! | Permalink
  • But egg trees aren't localized, they are all spread out too.  I love egg trees.  I can't even grow on in my backyard.  I think we're just lucky to have a place like Ix at all where there are so many trees all in a row for picking.  

    All mining areas were overcrowded, not just in the mines of Uralia, but upper groddle and alakol etc.  I travel to Jethimadh and Kalavana frequently for spice and for general harvesting and I frequently don't even see another glitchen around sometimes for several streets, so I don't think spice tree areas have reached their capacity yet.  I think people just travel to Ix because it's popular and convenient.  It's a vacation spot after all (have you seen the flyers posted around advertising the place?  It's as if it were the only nice place in all of Ur!)  
    Posted 14 months ago by Reba Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I travel Ix in some of the busiest times of the day, and I have never come upon a spice tree that I could not harvest.  I challenge you to get together with 10 or more other Glitches and completely harvest a spice tree so that I cannot harvest it.
    Posted 14 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • "other trees that were very full of harvestable spices being needlessly pet and watered"

    I can see what you're saying, but I think you're looking only at the individual situation, and not the iterative visits by many glitches.
    When you have many people visiting a tree, there's effectively no long-term difference in what order they do the pet/water/harvest.  If they do it first and the tree happens to be at "full health" then it might be wasted, but it won't be wasted the *next* time someone comes along and pets/waters first.  As long as most glitches pet/water, the trees seem to hover around perfect health.
    There is a design-level balance issue there as to how pet/water/harvest rates interact, and what the 'normal' level of health for the trees should be, but at the minute I don't really see much cause to change behaviour, and if anything I'd do it in the opposite way: never withhold a pet/water.
    Posted 14 months ago by matt Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I usually don't worry about the math and other exactitudes of game mechanics, but while we are on the subject of trees.....

    If my skill level gives me two harvests, and I only harvest a tree once, am I leaving more for others, or making sure the tree doesn't lose health, or just cheating myself of resources?

    If anybody knows, it would be a big help.
    Posted 14 months ago by KhaKhonsu Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Mereret - I believe you're cheating yourself out of resources.  
    Posted 14 months ago by Reba Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Mereret: You are both leaving more for others AND cheating yourself of resources :D but you are not making sure the tree doesn't lose health. As long as waterings and pettings are correctly timed, there's more than enough for every player to take their full harvest (and the only place this even matters is Ix).
    Posted 14 months ago by Toksyuryel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • "There is no specific limit to the number of harvests — there is just a total capacity of items to get (and they regrow continuously, not at specific thresholds). It is very rare for a tree to get picked clean though (except for egg plants) so it is not a real worry."Posted 8 min ago by stoot barfield  | Permalink
    www.glitch.com/forum/genera...
    Posted 14 months ago by Reba Subscriber! | Permalink