Major Ninja Nerf on Crafting Gear

So I finally got around to doing a few leve's tonight, and to my surprise, I failed my first local leve on alchemist EVER, which didn't really make sense since I have Hand of the Gods, Perfection, and some very nice crafting gear - or so I thought.

As I started to examine things a little closer I noticed that my R47 thermal alembic had these massive negative stats beside the craftsmanship, magic craftsmanship, and control stats when I examined it in the gear menu. I'm talking like -25 to -30 type reductions in each category. Now, while I'm only R45, I had nothing resembling that sort of massive penalty, pre patch.

As I further looked, I discovered that I was getting 0 (zero) crafting benefit from my dodore doublet - nothing, because I am 3 ranks under optimal (not required, mind you, but optimal). As I kept looking this was also true for my vintage thighboots, and smithy gloves, all of which are in class, but, again, I'm not optimal rank. Just to emphasize this, I'm not talking a penalty here, I'm talking NOTHING.

Furthermore, even though dodore was outside of optimal class for both my carpenter and leathercraft, pre patch, I got the same craftsmanship stats as a velveteen doublet vest, and got additional magic craftsmanship the doublet vest didn't have, so, it was better pre-patch. Post patch I now get 0 (zero) crafting benefit for this for both carpenter and leather because I'm not recommended class. Again, not a % penalty - NOTHING.

I don't know if you meant to do this SE, or this was in error and needs to be adjusted. However, if you intentionally did this you might have mentioned this in your update notes ><

penalty for wearing gear where the optimal level is higher than your current level is a lot more severe than before, even if you are only 1 level lower.

They pretty much explained the new system, it wasn't 'ninja'd' in. They completely redid the stat algorithms in the game, so now you have to actually pay attention to the gear you're wearing or going to wear.

Working as intended. They are trying to sneakily "wipe" our progression through the new gear system.

Basically, they screwed people with multiple craft classes. If you aren't at optimal (even one level below) you get ZERO bonus effects like Attack, Evasion, Control, Craftsmanship, etc.

You now have to have multiple sets of crafting gear for each class unless they all happen to be the same level or better. Which sucks.

This was NOT that well advertised. I expected some penalty for rank or class deviance but not this. When the penalty is 100% for being under level or out of class then they should make the gear level and class REQUIRED, not recommended or optimal.

thx to that I cant use 90% of my gear and have to re-created everything, lucky that my craft gear is still within my lvl range but still need to re-created the tool and the clother to remove the "Dated" stufff

The reason that its optimal and not required is because many people like to have gear just for looks. This nerf on gear was completely needed, it will stop all those lv. 12s wearing Vintage Haubys, and etc.

Wear gear that's appropriate for your level, problem solved. If you have Disciples of Hands at various levels, keep two sets: one for your highest DoH, one for your lowest.

The problem with having to carry even MORE gear is that those extra slots they have given us... are only temporary. For some it may not be an issue, but for others it might.