Just an FYI about the new Artisan's gear in Mor Dhona

[Dargondarkfire]

It's a different set, ilvl70 but can't be melded. Has about the same stats as max melded i55 gear. Also, no gathering equivalent gear.

man gathering is getting dumped on, no difficulty reductions. no trade in item reductions.

[CGMidlander]

man gathering is getting dumped on, no difficulty reductions. no trade in item reductions.

Gathering isn't difficult though. It's really only time gated by unspoiled node spawn times.

Compared with crafting, there are material costs and you need to spend time & money getting all crafting classes to 50 if you plan on getting serious. Also, on my server at least, crafting materia is more expensive. There are also more sets that you need to meld. (Assuming you don't drop a large investment in HQ Crafted Artisan gear right from the get-go.)