Yes, I don't own Heavensward. I need them for final Coil (and I would like them for glamour but that's not a priority right now, I am still gearing up my main) because it's the best I can get.
Honestly, they should just add them to poetics like they added the newer upgrade materials to laws. Simple as that.
This too. I didn't know about it but it sounds great.

Of course, if you are limited to 2.x content then Augmented Ironworks is the best but you're severely limiting yourself by not getting Heavensward.

FFXIV is my first MMO so I didn't really know how things worked. I hated lockouts and decided to quit and come back when they'd be lifted, so it was weird seeing there this items gated like this when Syrcus Tower's system was excellent.
I'd rather wait till 4.0 drops or close to that so I can do everything I want and avoid all the lockouts/walls/excessive grinding and farming. It's worked very well so far. This is the first thing wall I've hit and it's not in line with how they've handled tomestone gear in the past, so I hope they'll change it when the new raid comes and people will flock there.