Quote Originally Posted by Scootaloo View Post

[3]If the Novus weapons are so powerful, what use is there for crafters?
[4]If the end game raid armors are so powerful, what use is there for crafters?

Crafters are the only ones that can Affix materia to these items. You NEED to have a crafter to Maximize the potential and that crafter has to match the type of item as well as the Level Requirements of the materia. In addition in order to force extra materia onto a piece that has no available slots, it requires a higher level crafter as well.

The best food items in the game are made by Culinarians and as for Alchemist they also make gear. Arcanists wouldn't be able to put Materia in their tomes without Alchemists by example.

Quite simply put you cannot Maximize the potential without crafters and crafters would be Dead in the water without Gatherer's (Miner/Fisher/Botanist) supporting them.