The practice of strategically reducing the price of in-game crafting blueprints in World of Warcraft, specifically those related to the leatherworking profession, affects the virtual economy. This commonly involves setting sale prices for these instructions below their perceived or established market value in order to gain a competitive advantage. For example, a player might list a rare pattern for crafting high-level armor at a lower gold price than other players, aiming to quickly sell their stock and potentially control the supply.
This tactic holds significant economic implications within the game. By undercutting, players aim to quickly liquidate inventory, potentially disrupting existing market prices and diminishing profit margins for other leatherworkers. Historically, such strategies have been used to both establish market dominance and to drive competitors out of specific crafting sectors. This behavior can also be a sign of oversupply, changing demand, or a shift in the relative value of crafted items.
