Reading on the suggestions of others, I actually do think that a combat system/fighting with your weapons would do hurt the game. Although exploring the area just without fighting does increase the fun factor. Same thing with bows and arrows, this is a blacksmith not a fletcher. Armor on the other hand I do agree.. maybe unlocked as one of the upgrades later ingame (see my other post). I would advise a different anvil for that so you still can use the Z button to change stuff.
The costumers would not order armor, but if a full set is displayed in the shop (snap on armor mannequin display) they will buy it.
That is an image of a full plate armor set, reducing the complexity a bit would be nicer to play as suggested here:
1 Ingot parts:
Visor
Skull
Gauntlet
Sabaton(Boot)
2 Ingot Parts:
Legs (Greave, poleyn,cuisse)
Arms (vambrace, couter, pauldron)
3 Ingot Parts:
Breast plate
Tasset (Skirt of chainmail maybe)
Only the helmet would be a two piece item that snaps together. There should be no left or right variants of legs, gauntlets, boots... even though in reality there are.
A full set of armor would cost 22 Ingots and would have 11 pieces (12 if you count visor + skull). therefore it will be the most expensive "item" so far but also takes a lot of time and energy to create.
Several other suggestions:
1. Crystals:
the fear crystal placed on the counter in a special forged holder/stand will reduce the chance of being robbed cause they fear your shop.
the light crystal placed either in the forge or on the torch above the blacksmithing area will increase the daily energy (a sunny day just makes you feel better doesn't it?)
the blue(maybe water)crystal placed in the water basin will give the modifier Hardened instead of cooled ... increase value a tiny bit.
the red (maybe fire or pressure) crystal placed in or on the anvil will make damascus blades .. increase value but also doubles the time you have to use the hammer
less thieves, more daytime, and hardened damascus copper blade...
(create and hide more crystals with more special powers..f.e. charisma buffs, more time buff, more positive random events instead negative)
2. random events
I do know you have to get the game steady and bugfree first. before even starting with this one here. The thieves at night would be one random event, the big order from a kingdom(previous post of mine) would be another, make several more.
get a delivery with random stuff and a self destructive letter (1-2 days till it vanishes to reduce clutter) "local lord ..... ..... (put names of donators in here for example) contributes to your shop with this little patronage"
finding coin bags in the woods with little to many coins --exploring makes more sense
getting special delivery from your mines (see suggestion 3) with 2-5 ingots more.
breaking material while hammering it. you loose 1-2 ingots there.
3. buying/leasing/renting mines
like many tycoon games you first have to buy your copper or salavage it yourself. later you can hire, rent or even buy such basic material
leasing and buying would have running costs , each morning though you would find a delivery made from that specific mine (copper f.e.)
in the eand leasing would be cheaper than buying the ingots but because the difference is only noticeable with higher amounts you first have to have enough money to lease it. leasing a mine would be the cost of 25 ingots of that specific ore, but would grant you 24-30 ingots (luck is a factor here).
also with random events .. the mine could collaps and you would receive nothing for a day.
buying a mine should be around 200 ingot price costs but the daily cost would be reduced only to wages (3 ingot price of that ore). you also can close down a mine if you moved on to the next ore type (reducing deliveries). Maybe limit of open mines to 2 anyway. Would otherwise break game with all that ingots.
I do know that these suggestions do change the games intentions from a manufactor to a factory assembly belt working style (especially if you add the hirelings from previous posts to this list). But that is the way a successfull business develops most of the time.
4. Outsourcing :D
Outsource the costumers service to india :D .... just kidding
hope you like some of the suggestions^^