Disclaimer: I invite all experienced crafters to throw in their two-cents on this. The topic can be very subjective, so the more input, the better the result. I will be posting a thread for each skill that can craft with runics. I also intend to post how to GET runics (there has been a trend lately on these questions. Of course, any contributions that save me the research will be MUCHO appreciated. Please post in a separate thread, I will stickie as they are completed

A ton of the information here is extrapolated from uostuff.com. A great resource for all! ( Click on the link in my signature).

Much of the basic information is reposted from the "Crafting with Blacksmith Runics" thread.

The basics:

Luck:
Luck has no effect on runic crafting results. This has been stated, re-stated, researched, rebutted, revised, revisited and refuted.

Talismans
Talismans have NO effect on the quantity of properties, or on the intensity of the properties. They ONLY effect they have is on your exceptional chance.Talisman properties are
% success
% exceptional
Each can have a maximum intensity of 30%. This is added DIRECTLY to your displayed % chances, but is not displayed.
You only receive this bonus if you can a) have at least 1% chance to suceed and b) have at least 1% chance to craft exceptional.

Arms lore
With the recent changes to arms lore, you get 5% extra resists (random to which resists) for exceptional crafted armor, or 5% DI to exceptional crafter weapons.

Eating
Another semi-myth. Many people have suspected a link between eating and success in getting good runic results (or enhancing, skill gain, and damage in combat, more on that later). There is no proof, one way or the other, that eating has any effect in game. Devs say no, players say yes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that there MIGHT be an effect (how's that for confusion). If it makes ya happy to eat, eat. Best bet, dont stuff yourself, stay at satisfied.

Skill
In runic crafting, skill has no effect on properties, or intensity of properties. A 20 smith can use the runic same as a 120 smith, with the same results. Just the chance of exceptional is a whole lot different. Especially on lower runics, you definitely want the DI bonus from an exceptional weapon.

Chance of exceptional
So, we have narrowed down the variables in runic crafting to just one area. Chance of exceptional. How do you make sure you have the highest possible %?

1. Easiest way is to use the uo.stratics.com carpentry calculator.
   This does NOT take your talisman bonuses (if any) into account!
   
2. On the smith crafting menu, click the icon to the right of the item you are making. This will show your BASE exceptional chance.
   
3. Add in the exceptional and success chance from your talisman. This is added directly. (ex. You have 75% chance of sucess and 25% of exceptional. You equip a talisman with 25% chance success, 25% chance of exceptional. You are now at 100% chance of success, 50% exceptional.
   
4. A GM or better carpenter's crafting bonus and arms lore bonus STACKS with additional armor resists from a runic hammer. You get a bonus 6% for exceptional armor (in runic crafting), PLUS you get 5% resists for GM arms lore!
   
5. Runic Fletching kits are the ONLY way to obtain bows with the two new ML bow specific properties, Velocity and Balanced.
   - Balanced = Allows drinking of potions with bow equipped. This is a prefferred attribute on bows for PvP purposes.
   
   - Velocity = A physical damage based on hit. This has two MAJOR advantages.

   1) Distance based damage, up to 8 tiles away. Further away, the more damage done. Current avg in testing is 44-66 damage depending on distance.
   
   2) Runic crafted bows can have an on hit effect (like lightning) AND velocity!!

Types of runics and use
At this time, there is no reliable resource for the intensity range of the carpenter and fletcher kits. It is certain that they have the exact same ranges, but the specifics are lacking. FoF question submitted July 22 for clarification.

Common use


[size=2][b][u]Using the runic:

If you are making ALOT of items, put your boards in a pack (any container will do) inside your main pack. All items you make will go there. This is handy for sorting then trashing.

Double click the runic, then select the material you will be using (Oak, yew, ash, heartwood, bloodwood, frostwood, etc.). To see what bonuses each gives, refer to the crafter section wood enhancement chart. You select this FIRST before crafting, since there is no chance of breakage. Otherwise, if you enhance with a material for bonus after crafting, you run the risk of losing the item.

This TRIES to take into account some of the basic criteria for selection and circumstances.

Woodland Armor - Woodland armor str req's are the same as platemail. Therefore, it might be best to use ash (20% req reduction and 17 total resists) when crafting tunics and legs. Since curse can lower your STR to a point where the armor drops off even at 125, this is something to consider if you ever want to sell it.
The rest of the suit can be out of any material, although I prefer either all bloodwood for the HPR 2 and 18 resists. If you are making full suits, I suggest
Tunic / legs = Ash = 17 resists , 20% str req reduction
Arms / gloves = Bloodwood = 18 resists, high fire, and HPR 2
Helmet / gorget = Frostwood = 18 resists, high cold.

Weapons
Personal weapon - Preferred weapon type. Use Yew or Ash. Yew is preferred, especially for weapons with naturally fast swing speeds.

Weapons for sale -
Most popular
Bokuto
Light X-Bow
Heavy X-Bow
Bow
Composite Bow

Recipe made weapons
(except artifact class) properties and intensities will STACK with a runic kit bonus. Refer to the link to check out which ones interest you the most. Fletchers cannot currently create exceptional recipe bows. This has been reported via feedback on 22 Jul 07.

LOOK FOR A BOW-ONLY MAGIC PROPERTY CHART LATER THIS WEEK