I already melded to 670 gp, 700 with nq stuffed chysal. So far I've reliably used discerning eye+ utmost cauton+instinctual appraisal x2>utmost caution+instinctual appraisal for collectibles, gets 525+ consistently.
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I don't really think that will be the case. Maybe I'm just too optimistic, but I think that the reason why they designed such a complicated system to obtain the best gear for crafting and gathering is because they intend to make it last until the end of 3.x. This system can't be compared to how gear updates have been scheduled in ARR. Maybe in 3.4 they'll introduce a universal crafting/gathering set, but I really doubt that 170 and 180 gear will be replaced soon.
They *could* go that route, I suppose. The original crafter AF lasted almost all the way through ARR (and Artisan's was never necessary for 4-stars). If that's the case, we may see main hand/off-hand tool upgrades and possibly accessory upgrades over time, but the main gear will last far longer.
That will heavily devalue the DoHs that focus on making left-side gear, though, over time. They'll have to add new things for everyone to craft, and for WVR and LTW especially, that's normally going to be gear. Since DoW/DoM gear is no longer meaningful, the only place left for them would be DoH/DoL gear at present.
You made me lol. There are seriously a large number of active crafters on Ultros here in the forums. Doesn't appear to be such a concentration from the other servers which is odd. But I don't think you hinted toward anything anyone is brave enough to plan for so I think you're safe ;-)
I care.
I cap weekly. (reds, eso)
But I just stack my tokens.
The only things I've "bought" are Miner and Btn main hands. I've never even done any Favors.
/shrug
Other than not caring, I agree with the OP ^^;
And I hope for the best in future updates.
EDIT: Honestly, I think the most annoying part to me is the separate outfits. I really liked Artisan. We finally got to where we didn't have to have 11 different crafting and gathering sets. And now we're back to supposedly striving for just that, no matter if you take the 170 melded or 180 route.
So I think this is why I just sit in my mostly unmelded 150 set (CP only) and 2.0 max melded accessories. What am I going to craft anyway?
I'm still capping every week, but I only do so because I know that if the situation changes at some point down the line, I'll be kicking myself for not having kept up with the tokens, as I'll be "behind," and with the gear now being tied to lockouts, if you miss a week, you can't ever really make that week up. I'm not excited to do so, though--in fact, I generally do so begrudgingly. I don't think I'll be buying any more gear outside of main-hands, though, until something changes. I'll just stock the tokens.