I think its pretty unfair that some guys can play with the top gear/ their fav gear all the time, while others having to use some shitty gear most of their playtime.
Since realism is not an argument in crpg, imho the price of items should be based on the threat they are to the enemy.
I am aware that other players would prefer other gear, but I now present some classes and the gear I (me personally) did best with. These are no fantasy builds, these are real builds and the gear I used is the gear those chars were most effective (in my hands):
Heavy Cavalry: Light Lance 1910 (gold), Long Spiked Club 3174, Black Armor 34239, Black Greaves 4629, Great Helmet 6723, Mamluk Horse 59986,
sum 110661
Archer: Leather Jerkin 669, Khergit Leather Boots 143, Nomad Bow 3156, Bodkin Arrows 4215, Bodkin Arrows 4215, Pickaxe 240
sum 12638
2h "Ninja": Leather Jacket 84, Khergit Leather Boots 143, Nodachi 10589
sum 10816
Polearm "Ninja": Leather Jacket 84, Khergit Leather Boots 143, Long Hafted Blade 4622
sum 4849
1h-shield: Leather Jacket 84, Khergit Leather Boots 143, Heater Shield 2712, Military Sickle 2468
sum 5407
(Light) Lancer: Light Lance 1910, Khergit Leather Boots 143, Heater Shield 2712, Khergit Lamellar Vest 3342, Long Hafted Blade 4622, Sarranid Horse 23982,
sum 36711
Crossbowman/2hHybrid: Leather Jerkin 669, Khergit Leather Boots 143, Sniper Crossbow 17477, Steel Bolts 2136, Longsword 5123, Nordic Shield 1064,
sum 26612
With all those chars the same player (me, in that case) ends up with the same kill death ratio in the long run. Some builds need more time than others to become good, but when I compare them at level 30, its all the same. This will be same for most other players. For players that only ever have played archer, it might be a bit different, they might need some time to get used to melee, but I am talking about the long run anyway.
So I dont see why one build has only to pay the upkeep for 4849, and another for 110661, when the same player can bring the same result with both of them.
I dont know what the goal was of installing the upkeep system in the first place, but I remember chadz having said he didnt want to have an endgame all the time. If this is still the case, so why we dont see level 30 archers with hunting bow or at least without a greatsword or a polearm over the back?
I am not talking about realism this time, its just not okay that some people can play the mod ALL THE TIME with the very best gear, and others NEVER can play their favorite class, not once.
I dont like it, but I would be able to accept to ride my shitty Rouncey when at least the archers had to suffer a bit, too. Shared suffer, you know and so.
But not one happy all the time, others fucked all the time.
Also, compare archer and crossbowman, not fair neither.
Or 2h and polearm "Ninja".