HQ and NQ stat gap needs to close (Both should allow max stats with materia):

[Ksenia]

that difference is much greater at the higher levels. Wait until you get to 60 and try that. Anything below 60 is pretty close in level to each other, with the exception of level 59 master-book recipes which are a slight bit more difficult than level 59 non-master-book recipes, and level 60 master-book-recipes another tier above that. Then you get to level 60 1-star, and you're blown out of the water and you start to realize that every point matters when you're close to specific break points in reducing 2-3 steps from the craft which can be essential when you're at 2-star.

And ever in that case, red script NQ gear will accomplish everything you need to accomplish. Even on the crafted red script sets, the difference between NQ and HQ can be negated by food of the same level.