It certainly is too easy to spam highly pure lockets, for sure. I just feel something more fundamental should be done about metal alchemy, but I don't know what, yet.
Regardless of that, however, it's certainly arguable that the coal should influence it either way, so I'll consider it.
IMO ore should range in purity same as herbs, and raising metal purity should involve raising purity of several production chains by making purity of smelters relevant too. That's what makes Haven't quality system so engaging - everything is interconnected. As for raising purity of ore itself, I reckon it should be done with alchemical equipment like everything else.
This is so. I think, to be honest, that the only reason it isn't already that there was no way whatsoever to influence brick and coal quality when we added smelters, and thus is seemed unreasonable back then. Since that's no longer true, it should probably be changed. :)
Yeah, I reckon you could still get decentish metal if both coal and smelters were made relevant right now, and getting really good stuff should happen naturally when alchemy in general is sorted out.
Anyway, any thoughts on making purity of all the work stations (tanning tubs, anvils, carpentry tables, kilns, ovens etc.) matter? I kinda liked that infrastructural progression in Haven.