Hiya @APatok, obviously i’m not Z but I can try answering some of your questions.
If your thread got closed it is likely that it got merged into an existing thread rather than fully closed. If it was closed its because all the questions posed have been answered by linking to other threads where discussion can continue.
If the thread got MERGED, it means that your original post (and all subsequent replies) are now “replies” in another thread. This is done because the content of the Original Post (OP) is so similar to another thread, leaving both open would create clutter & duplicate answers etc… Merged threads can be replied to, so you can still reply to any coments on your original post.
Alchemy Lab is available for construction (conversion) at Stronghold Level 23. You convert an existing building to the Alchemy Lab (most people use a Forge if they are building the AL).
Most people should (with the VIP) be able to build the AL after 6-12 months of play time DEPENDING ON ACTIVITY level… more active you will be able to get there faster. Without VIP its about twice to 2.5 times as long a period (12-18 odd months).
It really is… It’s the same concept as what you were asking for… You wanted a way to convert some of the items you have an excess of into another item you really want. That by definition is the Alchemy Lab…
And For The Record, any additional buildings would be implemented at a stronghold level HIGHER than SH23… meaning it would be even FURTHER down the track for a new player to access…
Possible but unlikely. Zeph has been a pretty loud advocate of how useless the AL is and has on a number of occasions said it would be the LAST thing he builds… even when its the only thing left to build & research he’s said hes not sure he would convert it…
But the uselessness of the Alchemy Lab is the point of THIS thread… to make it effective & something that people will actually want to use…
You can read more about the Alchemy Lab on this thread below:
NOW back to the topic of actually fixing the existing Lab!