The Issue of Crafting

Each crafting class is supposed to be an entire class in and of itself. I agree with this, and beleive that the Devs chose to make it so component-heavy (although the difficulty I think should be scaled with the classes using the items and the ranks. R5 Carpenter should Make R5 Arrows from R5 Components for and R5 Archer).

Theoretically, it takes as long to get a Lancer to 50 asn it takes a Leatherworker; that being said though crafting is an arduous grind that does not have the benefits the combat classes do of soloing mobs without using hard-earned resources.

So, here's the question - should the grind for crafting be mitigated in such a way as to speed up class ranking. And if so, by increases gains from crafting, reducing components, reducing component cost, or offering more ways to rank a class up?


Edit: An idea that I made to my local community was a Behest-like idea for crafting. For example, every hour at the crafting-specific guild, a Guildmaster would show up to ask for help with a "Rush Order" or needing help to support the War Effort etc. Players could be grouped or ungrouped but each receives an individual order and 15 minutes to make it in, and if all orders are turned in in time the group gets awarded additional experience. Bonuses could include for the speed they are turned in, the quality, amount (if their order was mass production) etc.

Is this something that you guys feel the community would get behind to help make crafting more of a class?

~Nico