Hello. I'm fairly new to Diablo type games as I've previously only played about half way through Torchlight 1 and now am currently on Act II of Diablo 3. I felt the same question entering my mind during both games so I thought I'd write something up quickly. What's the point of Merchants other than to sell items? I always seem to have gear that is just simply better than almost everything they have to offer from going out and playing the story. It sort of makes me wonder why there are different merchants in New Tristam at all, they seem to sell the same kind of items, all of which I have no need for. I'm also minded of crafting, I'm rather high up in blacksmithing for my level, all the items are now too high level for me use, and yet I already have better gear from again, going out and doing dungeons, etc. I use my acquired gold for levelling Blacksmithing and occasionally buying potions, so with all the previous mentioned in mind, I don't really see the point for gold either. I could be wrong, and probably am, but my gear from mobs just seems to eclipse merchants and crafting and thus the need for gold.
Thanks.