Problem: Smithing is universally underused and not-worth-your-time apart from quest rewards and diaries.

 

Solution: make high level repair items require an appropriate smithing level instead of weird bits of cash, and then bit of metal/material that you can buy or find somewhere.

 

Example: Barrows armour can be repaired for cash. Make it so you have to repair it, perhaps in an unusual way, with level 70 smithing and some materials: probably cursed adamant and cloth, bought from the digging man.

 

Chaotic weapons can be repaired for cash and dungeoneering tokens. Make it so you have to repair it with 80 smithing and some materials: probably a chaotic metal from marmaros which can be bought for coins/tokens.

 

Torva armour can be repaired for cash. Make it so you have to repair it with ancient cloth and metal which can be bought from Ashuelot Reis, requiring 85 smithing.

 

This provides a necessity for the high level to get their smithing up in a way that is consistent with the lore of the game and its structure and also makes perfect sense for the smithing skill as a whole: what else would you level to repair high level armour and weapons, and what npc would be more suited to the task than you, a near master smith?

It would make sense, but if it's all drop related and such, one of the main reasons for cash recharge, that is, getting cash out of the game, is gone, and that's a bad thing.

It would make sense, but if it's all drop related and such, one of the main reasons for cash recharge, that is, getting cash out of the game, is gone, and that's a bad thing.

Then make it so that you have to buy the materials for repair, such as cursed adamant, enchanted zarosian runite, or chaotic ore from the relevant npcs.

That would be a better way around it.

That would be a better way around it.

Edit'd. In my opinion, the proper care of armour and weapons should require a good smithing level.