Off hand tools still useful?

Are off hand tools still useful beside when they have better stats then the tool currently being used? I've noted alot of the outdated recipes had different results depending on Main hand or Off hand

But besides when your off hand tool has better stats does it still have different effects? Does the off hand HQ still mean a possibility of more of an item (like Ingots etc)

And Main hand still determine HQ +quality? (Ingot +1) Or is this also outdated?

Did some searching but couldn't find an answer or info that didnt seem to be a few patches old atleast.

Thank you :)

Offhand HQ's give multiple items (where applicable).

A rare few items still have their HQ on offhand, and +quantity on mainhand (I think?).

The real use for offhand tools are the stats while leveling up. Mainhand tools always have higher craft, offhand tools always have higher m.craft. When I was grinding on Dated Walnut Masks for CRP, it made far more sense to use a claw hammer instead of a saw due to the increased m.craft.

Quite a few of the HQ materials/parts are made from off-hand. For example, fleece and metal rivets.

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Originally Posted by Raldo

A rare few items still have their HQ on offhand, and +quantity on mainhand (I think?).

The real use for offhand tools are the stats while leveling up. Mainhand tools always have higher craft, offhand tools always have higher m.craft. When I was grinding on Dated Walnut Masks for CRP, it made far more sense to use a claw hammer instead of a saw due to the increased m.craft.

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How did you know that mcraft was the stat that was important to Walnut masks?

Many many carpenters before me had grinded on Walnut Masks to get to 50. I assume several of them played around with stats and eyeballed that m.craft. seemed to be giving them better success rates.

For my particular case, however, the answer to your question is "someone told me so", so I'm afraid I can't provide you with any hard evidence. As far as that particular synth goes, it just seemed to be accepted knowledge.

It also seemed to fit in line that making mage gear generally uses m.craft. and melee gear uses craft (this may also be an assumption), since Masks generally have mage stats on them.

How do you tell if you need craft or m.craft for a recipe anyway?

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Originally Posted by NefGP

How do you tell if you need craft or m.craft for a recipe anyway?

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Trial and error.

If you go boom boom boom boom on one tool, try the other.
Another way to tell is from the progress and quality gained. You tend to get more of each with the right tool.

I also always use off hand when synthing arrows, because I generally want more than HQ

I think Kaeko or some other statistically minded soul proposed the conclusive test, it involved synthing things at the highest level difference you can reach (being 10 below the recipe) and recording results with various setups of stats, probably impossible to get a decent set of data before level 20, and I don't really know how much you can really focus on one crafting stat or the other before you get to the "non hobo" gear levels.
I just toss it and keep everything on a relatively even plane, balance all three as best I can.

Thank you for the replies everyone. I had asked because bestides level gaps where the stats we're better then my main tool. My inventory space needed some relief. And i hoped i could make some extra by "retireing" some offhand tools.

Since i'm still working my way up my current MH tools seem to be doing a fair job. I'll keep all the info in mind as i move to more difficult items.

Thanks again!