> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cave-of-fates.gitbook.io/cave/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cave-of-fates.gitbook.io/cave/trading.md). # 🏪 Trading Trading connects every progression system in the game. You can gather everything yourself, or specialize and buy what you need from other players. ### Player roles The economy is player-driven. Most value enters the world through gameplay. Common player roles include: * **Safe farmers** for stable wood, ore, fish, and crafting loops * **Risk farmers** for T2, T3, and T4 resources, fragments, and cores * **Crafters** for ingots, tools, repairs, and convenience value * **Collectors** for cosmetics, pets, and chest jackpots * **Traders** for spreads, convenience, and scarcity * **PvP hunters** for loot pressure in dangerous zones * **Island builders** for long-term station progression ### Marketplace The marketplace is the core trading hub. Players use it to exchange items for gold without needing to farm every material themselves. Typical marketplace uses: * sell surplus resources * buy missing crafting materials * sell convenience items to other players #### What players trade Common trade categories include: * raw resources such as wood, ore, and fish * refined goods such as ingots and fish crates * consumables such as flasks, essences, and potions * fragments, Module Cores, and modules * repaired tools and ready-to-use gear * rare items such as skin parts, full sets, pets, and chest drops #### Why prices move Marketplace prices change for simple reasons: * **Risk**: items from dangerous zones are harder to replace * **Time**: long farming routes raise item value * **Convenience**: players pay more to skip farming * **Rarity**: chest-only cosmetics and rare drops stay expensive * **Condition**: damaged tools sell for less than repaired ones In practice, safe-zone materials are more common. T3 and T4 goods usually carry a premium because supply is lower and losses are higher. ### Gold Gold is the main trading currency. You use gold to: * buy items from other players * open chests * purchase cosmetics and shop items * fund risky runs with replacement gear and consumables * craft modules and upgrade island stations * repair tools * pay Mage enchant fees Gold enters the game through gameplay. Main sources include: * Daily Cards and daily activity loops * chest gold drops * casino payouts * fixed NPC exchange through [Bars](/cave/npc.md) Gold also leaves the game through sinks. Examples include: * chest purchases * casino losses * skin shop purchases * module crafting * repair demand * future system fees and progression sinks This balance between income and spending helps keep the economy active. Bars also gives players a fixed conversion path for select crafted resources. Use this when you want guaranteed gold instead of waiting for player demand in the marketplace. ### Listing limits Your **Market** station determines how many listings you can open. Until token launch, token listing slots stay locked or show as **coming soon**. For station unlocks, see [Islands & Stations](/cave/islands-and-stations.md). ### Important note Trading currently uses **in-game gold**. The game does not have a live token at this stage. Future **$CAVE** trading stays future-facing until launch. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://cave-of-fates.gitbook.io/cave/trading.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.