I think this is the way to go. ECC is a hardcore economy server, that means that your investments shouldn't always pan out. Changes in supply and demand (and thus price) are what keep an economy interesting.
I really doubt that Melon Sword owners would be given a full refund at current price (or any refund in NetherStars for that matter) for their NetherStars used, and if they are given back, I doubt it would be for 2000 seeing there is a considerable amount of swords that were purchased back when they cost 1000 and 1500 stars, so it would mean both a sizeable profit from the original NetherStars used, aswell as all the money these swords may have produced in the meantime through Melon Farming (and it's pretty well known that there is a handy amount of people that has made off millions with these tools). I think a better option would be to give Melon Sword owners the option to trade them for another Star tool, like an Eff7 Pickaxe. Or like HC said, you know...deal with it.
I don't think anything will be changed to save the Melon Swords. Similar things have happened in the past like with Pumpkin Axes where they used to cost upwards of 100k (I want to say 200k-300k, but it's possible my memory is failing me here so I gave a conservative number). Just a few months ago prices for Pumpkin Axes were at 6-7k. You'll just have to deal with the changes.
i can't imagine Andrew would just let the melon sword owners just "deal with it" I think he probably realizes that the msword owners are the more experienced players aka the donators, the vets... He understands that this might be his most important user playing base and he will do everything he can to keep them in good will in fear that most would leave if they were essentially told "oh yea that tool u paid 1 mil for? ya that's worth about 6k now"
Not currently I don't own one anymore haven't for a long time, but that is irrelevant to my point. I would still have the same opinion on anything like this that happened to me.
I do own a melon sword, and I agree with HCP. Besides doing something about it would be a lot of trouble. Disallowing an enchantment that is in vanilla Minecraft isn't something I see happening, even if they could. Changing the harvest times of a single block for a single tool sets a bad precedent, once again, even if they could. Trade for a different star tool is the most likely alternative I've seen in this thread, but even that seems unlikely. Maybe there will be buffs to the Melon Sword that are applied to any already in existence, much like what happened with Efficiency 7 shovels and axes. I'm just not sure what they could give it to actually keep it relevant. In any case I'm not getting rid of my Melon Sword until I see the changes that come with 1.8. At the very least it's a bit of nostalgia that I can have around my house.
Just a thought: Those who have been saving up melons, may want to think about selling them. It is looking like the price will drop for them due to the increase in speed of the melons breaking.
based on what andrew has said before i think it's safe to say that he will do anything in his power to prevent a crash for melonswords. i doubt anyone could convince him otherwise. i have a melonsword and i agree. but as i said andrew will do anything in his power to prevent them from becoming worthless. which will be a mistake..
-_- It a joke that people say in twitch chats mainly related to league of legends suppose I shouldent of suddenly brought it to minecraft.
Im certainly enjoying how much attention this thread is getting I have made 10 cents off the video I uploaded.