Prices for WoW Goods

Curse-gaming.com posts weekly reports on the median sale prices of more than 100 goods commonly seen at the World of Warcraft Auction Houses. The report for the week of April 26, 2007 can be found here.

When these prices are paired with the market value (in U.S. dollars) of gold, it is easy to see that even fairly mundane crafting and consumable items have substantial economic value. One study surveyed third party gold vendors to estimate that the cost in dollars for 1,000 WoW gold pieces averaged $259.52 across all American servers (Horde and Alliance). That study is available on-line at http://www.gamerprice.com/wow-gold-study.html

Here is a list of the top 10 most expensive items on the list, in gold and U.S. dollars (using the above dollar-gold exchange rate):

1. Blacksmithing Plans for Hand of Eternity: 1,250 gold; or $324.40
   
2. Blacksmithing Plans for Dirge: 1,200 gold; or $311.42
   
3. Blacksmithing Plans for Felsteel Longblade: 925 gold; or $240.06
   
4. Blacksmithing Plans for Black Felsteel Bracers: 870 gold, 2 silver, 63 copper; or $225.79
   
5. Enchanting Supplies for Void Crystal (per 10): 795 gold, 5 silver; or $206.33
   
6. Blacksmithing Plans for Blessed Bracers: 777 gold, 50 silver; or $201.78
   
7. Leatherworking Pattern for Thick Netherscale Breastplate: 600 gold; or $155.71
   
8. Tailoring Pattern for Girdle of Ruination: 555 gold 55 silver, 55 copper; or $144.18
   
9. Leatherworking Pattern for Gloves of the Living Touch: 550 gold; or $142.74
   
10. Leatherworking Pattern for Netherdrake Gloves: 500 gold; or $129.76

Of course, prices can vary significantly from server to server, and between Horse and Alliance. But these figures still give a sense that even in a game like WoW, which specifically bans RMT, there is still significant economic value to the items.