15^50 req 9 crystalline or max req 9 - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Uther Charrsbane

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2006

KoRn

W/R

21 Aug 2006 at 10:04 - 1

well i was looking at crystallines and 15^50 went for about 20 mill. But the normal req 9 max ones no mods go for about 100k.
now i thought y would i buy a 15^50 crystalline when i can buy a max one and customize it, it will be better than 15^50 and cheaper. this also goes for al other melee and bows weapons. i was wondering wat other people think about theis so share your ideas about customizing max swords rather than buying 15^50 here, looking formward to hear critisism of my idea

EDIT: forgot to add most people with 15^50 rare skin weps donot customise them incase they wanna change.

Mrscoombes

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2006

Crimson Skullfuks

A/R

21 Aug 2006 at 10:08 - 2

You might want to change your thread title, as a mod may move this thread to the 'Sell' section without even taking a second look.

Avarre

Bubblegum Patrol

Join Date: Dec 2005

Singapore Armed Forces

21 Aug 2006 at 10:11 - 3

I'd rather go with the 15^50, customized

Economically, 14^50 customized is pretty much best, as +14% and +15% hit practically the same.

-Loki-

Forge Runner

Join Date: Oct 2005

21 Aug 2006 at 10:13 - 4

The only time you're going to see a difference between a 14>50 hit and a 15>50 hit is if they are naked-frenzy-healsiging with weaken armour cast on them.

Knightsaber Sith

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2006

Few Fallen Heroes [FFH]

W/E

21 Aug 2006 at 10:18 - 5

For most people, if they're going to shell out the kind of cash for one of those; they want as perfect as possible. Also; the sword has a value and you know that if you get really desperate you could sell it at any time. If you customize it that money is gone forever.

On a side note; one guy sold his crystalline for 1.5 mil and Anet banned his GW account. They just saw the amount of money changing hands and assumed it was an ebay gold buy. He's of course trying to get his account back but I don't know how that's going as one of the mods closed his thread :/

if you want to read the little side story:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10029221

(don't start talking about that guy though or someone will close this thread too)

Don Zardeone

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2005

21 Aug 2006 at 11:05 - 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uther Charrsbane

well i was looking at crystallines and 15^50 went for about 20 mill. But the normal req 9 max ones no mods go for about 100k.
now i thought y would i buy a 15^50 crystalline when i can buy a max one and customize it, it will be better than 15^50 and cheaper. this also goes for al other melee and bows weapons. i was wondering wat other people think about theis so share your ideas about customizing max swords rather than buying 15^50 here, looking formward to hear critisism of my idea

EDIT: forgot to add most people with 15^50 rare skin weps donot customise them incase they wanna change.

Well, if someone in my party, be it PvE or PvP, uses a weapon without inherent modifier or a weapon that isn't customised then I'd rather not play alongside this person unless he has good reason not to customise it.

Good reasons are: It's a casterweapon and this particular character will never be in auto-attack mode anyway: monks, certain necros, etc...

You can buy a perfect, yet ugly weapon from the weaponcrafters or collectors for about 5k+materials (crafter) or a few collectable items (collectors, usually the same as getting the weapon free).
These cheapo perfect items can then be customised safely. Example:

Katana
Max damage
Damage +15%^50
Customised so additional+20% damage

The combined power of that 15%+20% allows you to do a lot more damage. So if you're a warrior with a crystalline 15^50 or whatever, and you want to USE the crystalline in combat, then you'll have to customise it.

Sure there are these wiseguys walking around bragging about how their white customised max damage sword does more damage than a "perfect sword" but those guys are noobs, don't listen to them X.x

Crystallines are usually just for show though so that's why some don't customise them. These show-offs usually do a few swings in combat but thenthey swap to something better.
Still, nothing beats showing off your customised req7 15^50 crystalline

EagleEye812

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2005

Ex Loca Infernorum [XLI]

N/

21 Aug 2006 at 11:08 - 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uther Charrsbane

EDIT: forgot to add most people with 15^50 rare skin weps donot customise them incase they wanna change.

Most stupid people.
If people buy 15^50, they customize their weapons. Otherwise there's no use.

MirkoTeran

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2005

Slovenia

Scars Meadows [SMS]

Mo/

21 Aug 2006 at 11:19 - 8

Weapons are more than just for combat use.

jimmy_logic

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2005

R/

21 Aug 2006 at 12:41 - 9

I customise my 15>50 but only req 10 and above below I either keep or sell.

Mournblade

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: May 2005

Houston, Texas

Dawn Treaders [DAWN]

W/Mo

21 Aug 2006 at 13:29 - 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by MirkoTeran

Weapons are more than just for combat use.

Like what? Babysitting? Washing the car? Hello... WEAPONS!

Don Zardeone

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2005

21 Aug 2006 at 13:31 - 11

They're for intimidating too.

pheer my powertrading powah!

plz?

lg5000

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2005

Australia

21 Aug 2006 at 13:33 - 12

Mournblade - Displaying them

Though.. how you do that in GW is beyond me.

I'd get a crappy looking 15^50 weapon over a great looking one without mods any day.. short of running IW, and even then, I prefer a weapon with an inherint mod on it.

As for the requirement.. that really depends on how many points you're likely to put into the weapon. Why you'd run sword/axe/hammer under 12 I don't know though.

Wtf?Omfg!Bbq!

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

The Netherlands [Woot]

Looking for a decent one :P

21 Aug 2006 at 13:38 - 13

As for showing off: do the quest 'The Price Moa Bird' and ur reward (a long sword with the Crystalline Sword look) will give muchs 'Nice sword u got there'

Don Zardeone

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2005

21 Aug 2006 at 13:40 - 14

Quote:

Originally Posted by lg5000

Why you'd run sword/axe/hammer under 12 I don't know though.

Exotic builds, farmingbuilds that use sword or axe as leftover damage, etc.

Although, over the last year, I needed a req13- weapon this many times: 0

JR

Re:tired

Join Date: Nov 2005

W/

21 Aug 2006 at 13:43 - 15

Quote:

Originally Posted by MirkoTeran

Weapons are more than just for combat use.

I've always wanted to eat my dinner with a 15^50 Crystaline...

...seriously though, what?!

Wtf?Omfg!Bbq!

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

The Netherlands [Woot]

Looking for a decent one :P

21 Aug 2006 at 13:47 - 16

Eating from a sword .... Watch out you dont kill ur self sticking the sword too far in your mouth >_>

Jetdoc

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Jul 2005

The Eyes of Texas [BEVO]

D/A

21 Aug 2006 at 13:50 - 17

To store accumulated wealth. For those players who have in excess of 1 million gold, and those that are inherently adverse to changes in the materials market (i.e. ectos, shards, rubies, sapphires and the like), they tend to invest in those "perfect weapons" whose value generally withstands the test of time, and often appreciates.

I personally disagree with that philosophy, given the relatively sparse amount of storage we have already and the fact that we have our nice materials tab now. 250 ecto + 250 shards + 250 rubies + 250 sapphires is a beautiful amount of money (in excess of 4 million there).

Selket

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Grand Court of Selket/Sebelkeh

What If You Had An Outpost Named After You [slkt]

W/

21 Aug 2006 at 13:55 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by MirkoTeran

Weapons are more than just for combat use.

No they're not.

Does customizing a weapon somehow prevent you from showing the weapon off to people? No.
Does customizing a weapon afford you an advantage over an uncustomized weapon? Yes.

So uh...what?

SpeedyKQ

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

E/Me

21 Aug 2006 at 14:06 - 19

If your intention is to run around with your weapon and swing it at unfriendly things, 15^50 (or similar) AND customized is the only way to go.

Any player with enough experience to be trading in crystallines ought to know this.

Chewbacca Defense

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2006

667 Neighbour of the Beast

Ttgr

21 Aug 2006 at 14:33 - 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wtf?Omfg!Bbq!

As for showing off: do the quest 'The Price Moa Bird' and ur reward (a long sword with the Crystalline Sword look) will give muchs 'Nice sword u got there'

That's the best, plus you can even type "I'm weilding Sundering Crystalline Sword of fortitude and a ...." and no one would know the difference!

That would make you look so cool. Being cool is another story.

eternal pho

Banned

Join Date: Nov 2005

The Licious Fame Farmers {TLG}

W/E

21 Aug 2006 at 14:47 - 21

If you're gonna consider re-selling your weapon, then don't customize it. Otherwise your weapon should be customized for you.

Alias_X

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

21 Aug 2006 at 14:52 - 22

I would customize it. So you won't be able to sell it, but 100k is nothing of that 1mil.

Zakarr

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

Finland

21 Aug 2006 at 15:06 - 23

Quote:

Originally Posted by MirkoTeran

Weapons are more than just for combat use.

Some rare weapons probably are good money holders because they cost so much. Another use would be jealousy fishing like "I'm wielding a Crystalline Sword" while keeping the weapon saleable.

I can't think any other uses.

The Herbalizer

<3 Ecto

Join Date: Jul 2005

21 Aug 2006 at 17:45 - 24

For pve customizing a weapon is not exactly crucial. Wow hitting a monster for a few dmg more is sooooo worth it. Its not like the end of the world if you dont have one. Whats the worse that can happen you dont kill a monster fast enough and it goes mad and kills everyone. You can just redo the mission. I cant think of any occassion where hitting for a few dmg more was absolutely necessary.

In gvg then yeah it would be as it could mean the difference between a dead or alive opposing team player. But in pvp I would use my pvp character.

Not once have I been asked to show what I am using in my 13 months of playing. Ive owned at one point virtually every skin / name item and never been asked to show it to people. Ive owned crystalline swords and was suprised by the lack of people asking to see it.

Every single one of my collection items which I use in pve are not customized and never ran once into problems. If one day I want to buy an item I can sell them quick to raise funds for the uber item of uberness.

Sir Skullcrasher

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

California

15 over 50 [Rare]

W/Mo

21 Aug 2006 at 18:38 - 25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avarre

I'd rather go with the 15^50, customized

Economically, 14^50 customized is pretty much best, as +14% and +15% hit practically the same.

Amen to that.. i would go with 15%^50 customized if i have to myself.

Y.T.

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Sep 2005

Mo/

21 Aug 2006 at 19:23 - 26

i think that for war and ran customizing weapons is the must... never occured to me to customize my casters' weapons tho - never did more than 5dam with wands, and +20% to 5dam will be.... oh horror - 6dam! abyssals and aaxes beware here i go

come collectors/crafters skins r nice-looking, katana's not bad f/ex and i have collectors 15^50 dadao sword - i just love this skin; i upgraded it with icy and +30hp, customized it of cos - why do i need crystalline sword anyway, imho its ugly. i know its rare, but rare and beatiful r diff things

i have a small collections of swords/axes/bows - skins i like, some r expencive, like GPB or zodiacs, some r collectors/crafters like dadao/cleaver/askalon bow, some r smwhere in-between. sure its nice to impress ppl with rare and good-looking weapons from time to time, but other ppl opinions dont influence me that much - if i like the skin i'll get it, simple as that.

SpeedyKQ

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

E/Me

21 Aug 2006 at 19:25 - 27

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Herbalizer

For pve customizing a weapon is not exactly crucial. Wow hitting a monster for a few dmg more is sooooo worth it. Its not like the end of the world if you dont have one. Whats the worse that can happen you dont kill a monster fast enough and it goes mad and kills everyone. You can just redo the mission. I cant think of any occassion where hitting for a few dmg more was absolutely necessary.

By that line of reason, customizing a weapon for PVP isn't exactly crucial either. Its not like the end of the world if you don't kill your PVP opponent fast enough. You can just redo the battle. Hitting for a few more damage is not absolutely neccessary. The worst that'll happen is you'll lose the fight.

The Herbalizer

<3 Ecto

Join Date: Jul 2005

21 Aug 2006 at 19:49 - 28

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedyKQ

By that line of reason, customizing a weapon for PVP isn't exactly crucial either. Its not like the end of the world if you don't kill your PVP opponent fast enough. You can just redo the battle. Hitting for a few more damage is not absolutely neccessary. The worst that'll happen is you'll lose the fight.

Um no. Losing a gvg causes your guild to lose it rating/rank and it can be hard to get it back. This is a long term effect of not using the proper equipment. Failing a mission means you just have to redo it.

In pve the builds/items/attributes are alot less worried about. When you add a ss necro to your party you dont ask there exact build or att point distribution as its not majorly important. However, in pvp if you dont have the right build it can cost your team the game. In pve having to redo a mission is quite normal as shit happens. Pve is no way near as organized as pvp and people dont go round checking if your weapons are customized. If people want to get fussy about pve equipment maybe they should check everyone's skills / armor / att points before hand as there is a greater chance of them leading to failure than not having a cutomized weapon. Maybe everyone in pve should have a superior vigor rune too...

unienaule

I dunt even get "Retired"

Join Date: Aug 2005

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

21 Aug 2006 at 19:57 - 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR-

I've always wanted to eat my dinner with a 15^50 Crystaline...

...seriously though, what?!

I pick up all da ladies just by telling them I have a perfect Orr Staff...

But I can kind of understand the people who trade weapons, but only if they're trading up to get something they really want. I must admit to not understanding the kind of people who only get rich for the sake of being rich, however I won't condemn them just because I don't understand them. It's a game, you play to have fun, and if your fun is different than my fun, then go right ahead and be super rich.

To the Herbalizer/Speedy debate:
It's fairly obvious that you both have different priorities, they being PvP and PvE respectively. Herbalizer, nobody in PvE likes to redo missions, and some people are a lot more organized than you give them credit for. Speedy, a lot of people take PvP very seriously and play to win, so having custiomized items is very important.

Don't attack people just because you don't like how they play the game.

SpeedyKQ

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

E/Me

21 Aug 2006 at 20:48 - 30

Quote:

Originally Posted by unienaule

Speedy, a lot of people take PvP very seriously and play to win, so having custiomized items is very important.

I agree completely with this statement.

I'm only trying to point out that success is also important to PVE'ers and we should be using optimal weapons too. I just find the "who cares if my weapon isn't very good, its only PVE" attitude insulting.

Who is to say the success of my three-hour long Urgoz run means less to me than some Guild Ranking points means to another person?

Skyy High

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: May 2006

R/

21 Aug 2006 at 20:48 - 31

Customizing a gold pve weapon that's perfect or near-perfect is just stupid, unless you plan on taking the character into serious pvp. Perfect, nice-skinned weapons are quite pricey. In the event that you ever want to use a different skin, different build, or just delete the character, I know I would feel really stupid about choosing to deal an extra 3 damage or so per hit in exchange for the tens of plat I can't get back.

Customize collector weps, or weapons you know will never sell, unless you are absolutely, positively sure that you will never change your weapon preference. Personal story - I once owned every green bow, until I got bored with my collection and decided to sell 'em off and buy some nice gold bows instead. Had I customized those bows, I would have been out some 100k or so.

unienaule - having played extensive pvp and pve, I have to say that Herbalizer is right in his assessment. You lose a mission in pve, nothing much happens. Regardless, customization does not matter that much, as individual battles are not nearly long enough for the extra 3 damage per hit to have any significant effect. You'll still kill the enemy in the same number of hits.

Every GvG match matters if you're seriously trying to work your way up the ladder, as does every HA match if you're trying to get fame quickly (consecutive wins give increasingly more fame, so getting a streak and holding it is much more effective than being forced to keep hitting "Enter Mission"). Every little bit of pressure (what warriors do) matters in these kinds of battles, which can be quite long. 3 damage per hit adds up after 10 minutes of fighting.

SpeedyKQ

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

E/Me

21 Aug 2006 at 21:14 - 32

I don't want to turn this into a PVP vs PVE debate, so I'll refrain from talking about PVP.

In PVE, an extra 20% damage most certainly does make a difference especially to melee characters. And while surprisingly some people evidently don't really care whether they have to re-do a mission (or a Fissure run or whatever) there are a lot of people who DO care whether they are successful. And if you are going to team up with others, you owe it to them to bring a customized weapon.

Playing with a less-than-optimal character in order to save money seems completely backwards. Isn't the point of the game to have a successful character, and isn't money just a means to that end?

Jetdoc

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Jul 2005

The Eyes of Texas [BEVO]

D/A

21 Aug 2006 at 21:35 - 33

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Herbalizer

For pve customizing a weapon is not exactly crucial. Wow hitting a monster for a few dmg more is sooooo worth it. Its not like the end of the world if you dont have one. Whats the worse that can happen you dont kill a monster fast enough and it goes mad and kills everyone. You can just redo the mission. I cant think of any occassion where hitting for a few dmg more was absolutely necessary.

If you're playing in groups, then I can see how this could be true, as you have others to compensate for your shortcomings.

Personally, I would hate to think that I am not playing as efficiently as possible in PvE, especially since I solo almost everything. That "extra few damage" really does add up over time (especially when soloing), but gets hidden if you have 12 guys pounding on the same enemy at once.

I personally would be upset if I joined a B/P group in Urgoz's Warren and found out that some of the rangers weren't carrying customized bows. Slower kill time = higher chance of dying = bigger chance of flopping 2-3 hours into the mission.

So. to me, if you own pretty weapons you don't want to customize, don't play with them. Play with your collector's customized ones instead. To do otherwise is inefficient and, frankly, selfish.

Skyy High

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: May 2006

R/

21 Aug 2006 at 21:44 - 34

Do you know how many people I see playing with crappy golds and purples, as opposed to the perfect collector's weapons? Obviously they're getting along just fine without squeezing every single point of damage out of their weapons. Are you going to go off on basically every player in the game that prefers to have a cool looking sword they can be proud of, rather than the free collector sword that does a few extra points per hit? That's actually an extremely elitist attitude, "Buy the perfect golds, or don't use anything but collector's, because I say so."

Where in pve would it matter? Urgoz/Deep? Warriors aren't the damage dealers there; you're tanks and body blockers, and knockdown of course. I know for a fact that everyone does not use perfect customized golds or collectors stuff, yet everyone pretty much agrees that pve is easy...so obviously, the difference is not significant. At all. End of this anal-retentive discussion.

Back to the OP's point - obviously someone pays so much more for a 15^50 crystalline because they get the power of a customized one, without having to sacrifice the ability to sell it. Not to mention that a 15^50 crystalline is far more prestigious than a plain customized one, and that goes for any weapon out there.

The Herbalizer

<3 Ecto

Join Date: Jul 2005

21 Aug 2006 at 21:56 - 35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetdoc

If you're playing in groups, then I can see how this could be true, as you have others to compensate for your shortcomings.

Personally, I would hate to think that I am not playing as efficiently as possible in PvE, especially since I solo almost everything. That "extra few damage" really does add up over time (especially when soloing), but gets hidden if you have 12 guys pounding on the same enemy at once.

I personally would be upset if I joined a B/P group in Urgoz's Warren and found out that some of the rangers weren't carrying customized bows. Slower kill time = higher chance of dying = bigger chance of flopping 2-3 hours into the mission.

So. to me, if you own pretty weapons you don't want to customize, don't play with them. Play with your collector's customized ones instead. To do otherwise is inefficient and, frankly, selfish.

So for pve would it be selfish if: -
*The warrior does not use a rune of superior absorbsion?
*Every player does not have a rune of superior vigor?
*The warrior was using ascalon or gladiators armor?
*The weapon / staff is not perfect?
*The weapon / staff is not perfectly modded?
*The warrior does not have a perfect shield?
*The player does not have a large number of items to cover each situation e.g. helms with minor runes for dp. Or shields for stance / hex / enchant / always?

If customizing a weapon is sooo important in pve then the above should be also important.

People own perfect Crystalline swords because they are rare. I know people who own Req 8 15>50 ones and say how they are ugly but only bought it due to being rare. They most probably have customized weapons for pvp which they use or maybe use a pvp character.

Saider maul

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2005

Baltimore, Maryland

21 Aug 2006 at 22:59 - 36

I rarely customize unless its a weapon i know is going to follow my character for a lifetime. May of the rare drops i have received i store waiting to either sell or to collect dust with my collection of odd sorts.

1 item i have not gotten as a drop nor have i bought is a crystaline sword.
Those are more valued to a collector in game then anything else.
rest assured not 1 ebayer could afford a crystaline sword of uber quality as it would cost them a months salary at 20mil. LMAO!!!!

I highly doubt anet banned anyone for a trade based on monitary value traded. I have done several large transactions to and from accounts transfering upwards of 10 mil and never got banned. They ban when items of value are traded to know account names associated with ebay so lets not tell fairytails here.

BTW has a 15^50 req 9 crystaline been found yet? I dont recall hearing one reported. I saw a 14%^50% auction for 14 stack if i am not mistaken.

I'd luv to have one but i'll stick to my shadow, crenulated, and collector long sword. lol

garethporlest18

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

[HiDe]

W/

21 Aug 2006 at 23:06 - 37

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleEye812

Most stupid people.
If people buy 15^50, they customize their weapons. Otherwise there's no use.

But, I don't customize it cause last time I did that, I lost 100k. Because I don't know when I'm going to be happy with a sword so I never customize it.

Malice Black

Site Legend

Join Date: Oct 2005

21 Aug 2006 at 23:09 - 38

there are a few req9 15^50 crystallines in circulation

i customized weapons i planned on keeping like many do and collected/sold the rest

as for the post by the OP..buy the one without inherant mod as there is no way in hell you can afford a req9 15^50...

The Herbalizer

<3 Ecto

Join Date: Jul 2005

21 Aug 2006 at 23:11 - 39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saider maul

I rarely customize unless its a weapon i know is going to follow my character for a lifetime. May of the rare drops i have received i store waiting to either sell or to collect dust with my collection of odd sorts.

1 item i have not gotten as a drop nor have i bought is a crystaline sword.
Those are more valued to a collector in game then anything else.
rest assured not 1 ebayer could afford a crystaline sword of uber quality as it would cost them a months salary at 20mil. LMAO!!!!

I highly doubt anet banned anyone for a trade based on monitary value traded. I have done several large transactions to and from accounts transfering upwards of 10 mil and never got banned. They ban when items of value are traded to know account names associated with ebay so lets not tell fairytails here.

BTW has a 15^50 req 9 crystaline been found yet? I dont recall hearing one reported. I saw a 14%^50% auction for 14 stack if i am not mistaken.

I'd luv to have one but i'll stick to my shadow, crenulated, and collector long sword. lol

I have seen 3/4 Req 8 15>50 Crystallines. I have been told by a very well known trader that there is few more than that which are now customized or on inactive accounts. There is an Req 9 15% -5 Energy Crystalline on high end atm. Seen alot of Req 10 ones and tons of high req ones.

A 14>50 crystalline is worth 2 million if in low req so I doubt anyone would pay 14 stacks of ecto for one. The Req 8 15>50 for sale now has a c/o of 100k +7 Stacks as that is all the trade window can hold.

SpeedyKQ

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

E/Me

22 Aug 2006 at 00:52 - 40

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Herbalizer

So for pve would it be selfish if: -
*The warrior does not use a rune of superior absorbsion?
*Every player does not have a rune of superior vigor?
*The warrior was using ascalon or gladiators armor?
*The weapon / staff is not perfect?
*The weapon / staff is not perfectly modded?
*The warrior does not have a perfect shield?
*The player does not have a large number of items to cover each situation e.g. helms with minor runes for dp. Or shields for stance / hex / enchant / always?

If customizing a weapon is sooo important in pve then the above should be also important.

Some of those are more important than others, but in general, if a player has the means and the knowledge to improve their character and they just don't bother, then yes, I think it is selfish. I take pride in making my PVE characters maximally effective and would like others do to the same. In practice, it is a game, and if you like pugging you have to accept that a lot of people will be doing less than optimal things.

I take issue with the idea that one type of play, whether PVE or PVP, is more deserving of good play than the other. Whichever one you are doing, if you are bothering to do it, you should bring your A game.