Trading System Overview
VvW supports two methods of exchanging items between players: direct trades and the Auction House. Direct trades are real-time, face-to-face exchanges between two players. The Auction House is an asynchronous marketplace where you list items for sale and other players buy them. Both systems have their strengths, and savvy players use both depending on the situation.
Direct trading is available to all players at level 10 and above. There is no fee for direct trades. The Auction House unlocks at level 15 and charges a 5% listing fee on successful sales. This fee difference is the primary reason direct trades remain popular for high-value items: a 5% fee on a 50,000 gold item is 2,500 gold lost to the system.
Creating a Trade Offer
To initiate a direct trade, right-click on another player's character or name in chat and select "Trade". Both players see a split-screen trade window with two panels: your offer (left) and their offer (right).
Step-by-Step Trade Process
- Add items: Drag items from your inventory into your trade panel. You can add up to 12 items per trade.
- Add gold: Type the amount of gold you want to offer in the gold field. You can trade items for items, items for gold, or any combination.
- Review: Both players can see each other's complete offers. Hover over any item to see its full stats, rarity, and description.
- Lock in: When satisfied, click the "Ready" button. Your side of the trade locks, preventing changes.
- Confirm: Once both players are ready, a 5-second countdown begins. If either player modifies their offer, both "Ready" states reset. After the countdown, click "Confirm" to complete the trade.
The double-confirmation system (Ready + Confirm) with the 5-second countdown is specifically designed to prevent last-second item swaps, which is the most common scam in other trading games. Always read the final confirmation screen carefully before clicking Confirm.
Never rush a trade. The 5-second countdown exists for your protection. If the other player is pressuring you to hurry, that is a red flag. Take your time, verify every item, and confirm only when you are certain.
What to Trade: High-Value Items
Not all items are worth trading. Here is a breakdown of what sells and what to keep:
| ITEM CATEGORY | TRADE VALUE | BEST METHOD | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legendary Equipment | Very High (10,000-100,000g) | Direct Trade | Avoid AH fee on big-ticket items |
| Epic Equipment | High (2,000-15,000g) | Either | AH for convenience, direct for savings |
| Rare Crafting Materials | Medium-High (500-5,000g) | Auction House | Sell in bulk on AH for best turnover |
| Seasonal Event Items | High (especially post-event) | Direct Trade | Prices spike after event ends |
| Rune Words / Scrolls | High (3,000-20,000g) | Direct Trade | Niche market, find buyers in chat |
| Consumables | Low-Medium (50-500g) | Auction House | Sell in stacks for quick gold |
| Common/Uncommon Gear | Low (<100g) | NPC Vendor | Not worth trading to other players |
Price Reference Guide
Pricing items correctly is one of the most important skills in the VvW economy. Here are the principles:
How to Determine Fair Prices
- Check the Auction House: Search for the same item or similar items on the AH. The lowest listed price sets the current market value. Do not undercut by more than 5-10%.
- Consider rarity and demand: An epic item that drops from a common dungeon is worth less than an epic item from a seasonal event boss. Scarcity drives price.
- Factor in stat relevance: Items with meta-relevant stats (e.g., crit chance, life steal) command premiums over items with niche stats (e.g., luck, speed).
- Track seasonal trends: Prices fluctuate with seasons. Crafting materials spike when new recipes are released. Seasonal items spike after the event ends.
Keep a personal price log of items you regularly trade. Noting the price you paid and the price you sold at over time reveals patterns that help you buy low and sell high consistently.
Scam Prevention Tips
While VvW's trading system has built-in protections, scammers still try. Here are the most common scams and how to avoid them:
1. The Switcheroo
The scammer places a valuable item in the trade, waits for you to add your gold, then quickly swaps it for a similar-looking but lower-value item just before confirming. Prevention: Always re-verify every item on the final confirmation screen. The 5-second countdown gives you time to inspect.
2. The Rush Job
The scammer pressures you to trade quickly with phrases like "I have another buyer waiting" or "limited time offer." Prevention: Never rush. Legitimate traders are happy to wait while you verify the deal.
3. The Overpay Scam
The scammer offers significantly more than an item is worth, then asks you to add gold to "balance" the trade. They then remove their item while you are distracted adding gold. Prevention: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Any offer significantly above market value is suspicious.
4. The External Trade Scam
The scammer asks you to trade outside the game's built-in system, such as "send me the item first and I will pay you later." Prevention: Never trade outside the in-game system. The built-in trade window is the only safe way to exchange items. There is no legitimate reason to bypass it.
5. The Impersonator
The scammer uses a character name similar to a well-known player or clan leader to gain trust. Prevention: Verify the exact character name, level, and clan tag. Check the player profile before trading with anyone you do not know personally.
Trading vs Auction House
| ASPECT | DIRECT TRADE | AUCTION HOUSE |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | None | 5% of sale price |
| Speed | Instant (if buyer found) | Can take hours or days |
| Reach | Only nearby or online players | All players on server |
| Price Discovery | Requires negotiation | Market prices visible |
| Best For | High-value items, clan trades | Volume selling, convenience |
| Risk | Scam potential (mitigated by system) | Price undercutting, AH fee |
The general rule: use the Auction House for items worth less than 5,000 gold and use direct trades for items worth more. The 5% AH fee on a 5,000 gold item is only 250 gold, which is negligible. But on a 50,000 gold legendary, the 2,500 gold fee is substantial enough to justify finding a direct buyer.
Trading Etiquette
The VvW trading community runs on reputation. Follow these unwritten rules to build a positive trading reputation:
- Honor agreed prices. If you negotiate a price in chat, do not change it in the trade window. Breaking deals destroys your reputation.
- Do not spam trade requests. Sending repeated trade requests to players who decline is harassment and can get you reported.
- Be transparent about item condition. If an item has been enchanted, socketed, or modified in any way, disclose this before trading. Surprises breed mistrust.
- Tip for good deals. If someone sells you an item below market value, adding a small gold tip builds goodwill and future trading opportunities.
- Use trade chat, not world chat. Keep trade offers in the dedicated trade channel. Posting trades in world chat clogs communication for everyone.
Join the trade community within your clan. Clan members who trade fairly with each other build a network of trusted contacts. This network becomes invaluable when you need a specific item or want to sell something quickly without AH fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a trade limit per day?
No. You can make unlimited direct trades per day. The Auction House limits you to 20 active listings at a time, but there is no limit on how many you can post per day as long as you stay under 20 active listings.
Can I trade across factions?
Yes. Vampires and Werewolves can trade with each other. The trade system is not faction-restricted. However, race-locked items (items that can only be equipped by one race) will display a warning if traded to a player of the wrong race.
What happens if I get scammed?
Report the scammer immediately through the in-game reporting system. Include screenshots if possible. The VvW team investigates all trade-related reports and may reverse fraudulent trades if evidence supports the claim. However, prevention is always better than recovery.
Can I trade gems?
No. Gems (premium currency) cannot be traded between players. This prevents real-money trading and protects the game economy. Only gold and items can be exchanged through the trading system.
Should I sell to NPC vendors or other players?
Rare items and above should always be sold to other players (via trade or AH). NPC vendors pay a fraction of market value. Common and uncommon items below level 30 can be safely vendored, as the player demand for low-level gear is minimal.
When is the best time to sell?
Evening hours and weekends see the most player activity and highest AH traffic. Listing items on Friday evening maximizes exposure. For seasonal items, sell during the first week of an event (when demand is highest) or after the event ends (when supply dries up).