Feedback on Expert Recipes:

[Jojoya]

Btw, does anyone know if expert recipes are the best way to increase the restoration gauge or is it better to craft a ton of the easy stuff?

Craft the level 70 items. 78 stockpile progress points each, you can make and turn in about 300 an hour using Trained Eye - Groundwork if you have at least 2132 Craftsmanship (those under 2132 can add Veneration before Groundwork for a 3 step craft). They're about 50% more effective for stockpile progress than the level 80 and Expert turn-ins made in the same amount of time. You won't get the Kupo voucher stamps or Skyward Points but you'll still get 20 scrip per submission.

[KageTokage]

I'm not sure spamming level 70 items is more efficient due to the sheer amount of materials you need to actually make that many.

Not to mention few people are gathering/selling the mats for them due to the fact that you gain zero skybuilders points from appraising them.

On the subject of expert recipes, though, I think they seriously needed to remove the collectability cap on them or at least make it much higher, because quantity > quality should NOT be a viable option in a ranking system if it's allowing macro spammers and botters with materials to burn to keep up with/pass people who actually know what they're doing.

[Eyn]

The secret to finish this craft in less than 50 steps is really simple. Don't use Waste Not, don't rely on Hasty Touch. If possible get some control above 2400, but I started doing a 30-40step rotation with only the minimal requirements for Neo-Ishgardian gear. Starting with Reflect can make you finish in less steps than Muscle Memory, but it's very similar both ways.

It takes 3 Rapid Synthesis to close the craft 0-100 under Veneration. Once you have 6 or more stacks of IQ, start using Innovation, even if you only use it for 2 steps it becomes CP neutral, more than 2 steps is a gain. Use Patient Touch with Centered around 3-6 stacks, preferably at 6 so you go straight to 11. I wrote a small guide for people in my FC, very bare bones but with most of what's necessary I'll link it to you guys if you want.

Can I have the link please? I am not good at min-max the figures.

[Jojoya]

I'm not sure spamming level 70 items is more efficient due to the sheer amount of materials you need to actually make that many.

Not to mention few people are gathering/selling the mats for them due to the fact that you gain zero skybuilders points from appraising them.

I wasn't referring to material or overall efficiency, though. I was talking about the fastest way to add to stockpile progress.

I can craft and turn in about 22 Expert, 90 Level 80 or 300 Level 70 per hour. Once I hit my daily goal for Skyward Points, if I feel like doing more crafting I'll focus on stockpile progress (frequently on an alt). Level 70 items will add more progress per hour so that's what I make. I've never had a problem getting mats, and selling the scrip emotes on the MB makes a lot more gil than I spend.

Not everyone cares about getting Skyward Points. The rewards were underwhelming to them and they don't feel it's worth the effort. But many of them do care about the stockpile progress since the Restoration appears to be leading to a new housing district, or at the very least they're curious about what the Firmament will look like when completed.

For those who'd like more info so they can decide what they want to focus on if their primary goal is to progress the stockpile faster
:
Expert 6000+ is 524 stockpile points (set number, not scaled like Skyward Points).
Expert 5100-5999 is 437 stockpile points.
Expert 4500-5099 is 374 stockpile points.
Level 80 max rating is 125 stockpile points.
Level 70 max rating is 78 stockpile points.