Already posted this in bad idea dump, but I thought I’d repost it anyways since this one might also make me the most hunted mf in AO history.
Rework the alchemy system to be more like the alchemy in recent installments of the Atelier franchise (If you haven’t heard of it, don’t worry; it’s hella obscure, but fun imo). And as a result, make most if not all tools/items entirely unable to be purchased or found from chests, or dramatically overpriced.
AKA: Oh, you want a fishing rod? Alright, go harvest several chunks of wood, some spider’s webs, and be sure to put in a bunch of flowers or random fruits and shit of the grass and ice elements, then you bring it to a cauldron, and finish as many loops as possible for bonus effects, quality increases, and extra recipes!