Crafting Questions

So at release I was the first 50 ARM/LW on my old server, and then realized that crafting wasn't going to be as useful as it was in FFXI.

With the new specialization options I heard it was possible to HQ everything without all the cross class stuff if you specialize in those crafts.

All I want to do is make Food/Pots so if I go 60 CUL/ALCH and specialize in them will it be possible to HQ everything and not need all the ridiculous cross class stuff?

Also are gathering classes in the specialization pool? I'll end up doing them all to get the mats for Food/Pots.

Thanks!

Gathering Classes don't (and can't) use Specializations.

Comfort Zone, Hasty Touch, and Steady Hand II help a lot, and you'll get those by going CUL/ALCH. The new crafting skills and specializations make CRP's Byregot's Benediction less vital, but you will still be missing out a bit on it, and WVR's Careful Synthesis II is nice. You'll still be able to get a decent number of HQ results, but it's not as guaranteed as someone who brought everything to 50.