It isn't about how hard it is, it's about how a very large portion of players actually don't use external websites to check for stuff. Even when it comes to checking on official forums and or even the main website(which half of that stuff is wrong anyway). yes, the hardcore probably have like 4-5 Ragnarok specific Bookmarks. And those players get ahead since they have more knowledge. But alot of players fall into the "Casual" spot rather than even "Above average".
And even if we say a player in game can look at the stores. Its' not like Prontera or Eden has an NPC that sells all NPC equips. You have to go to certain cities to get certain weapons. Morroc doesnt sell spears, Prontera doesnt sell high level wands. You go to Alberta for high level axes. So your essentially asking a player to check every NPC shop just to see if the Mimic will eat their weapon. And thats assuming the player even knows that certain shops only sell certain items.
Gonna have to call BS on your post here bro. I find it utterly false that a large portion of players in this game don't use external websites. The most common advice in this game you can get is go to irowiki.org or RMS.
It's also stupid to check every shop in-game when you can use a website that has a database of NPC vendors. This sounds more like a personal problem instead of a design problem.
Edited by LuxiLux, 30 March 2012 - 02:16 PM.