The cost reduction was way too much.
Like... not just reduced a little, reduced to the point that now the economy is simply non-existent. You can just buy whatever the hell you want, including unique weapons and armors.
This also makes the Bartering skill completely useless since you don't have to manage your gold at all.
I can now buy 4 books for the price of what was 1 before and still have some gold left.
Before, I could already buy all the books I needed in a respectable timeframe. Now? I have almost all my skills at LEVEL TWO.
Unless your characters basically only use about 8 skills each, and steal constantly, I have no clue how you are able to not struggle with getting skill books and gear at the same time at least a little bit.
For parties that don't use thievery, bartering and crafting is definitely incredibly useful.
