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

[TechnoTechie]

No, she is justifying.

i170 is i170.

stats make it easier but in terms of iLevel, the NQ is still getting the same treatment.

Let me give you and example.

I use an HQ main, level 52 tool to craft a level 55 recipe at level 56. I can't get it over 17% Quality (I have tried this)
I use an NQ Main, level 55 tool to craft a level 55 recipe at level 56, I can get it to 100% Quality. (look at the 52 HQ main hand and the 55 NQ - the stats are the same)

I did this with Weaver.

Our character is a mannequin. Everything is tied to gear level now. Stats are important and while it is obvious you want as much as you can get at end game, if you end up in NQ blue, you will still be capable of executing all recipes for the 60 level, even the 3 star we are eventually going to get.

Challenge accepted; and a pointless one at that. With this craft, I can confirm that it's strictly stats, and that you might need to reconsider the rotation that you're using:


I crafted an Aurum Regis Texture Hammer (recipe level 60) and level 60, with an HQ level 52 main hand and a level 53 off-hand (for good measure), because according to your logic, I shouldn't be able to get anywhere near 94% quality, let alone 17% considering the 8, yes, 8 whole levels of difference, between my tools, and the level of the craft. If you think that I should try again with a level 60 belt and rings (those are the two-star green items that you see in the picture), then I can, but that invalidates your point that it's the tools' item level that are the important part.

P.S. I didn't cheat by using HQ materials; all of the materials used in that craft were normal quality.

P.S.S. I just went and tried a level 57 recipe (Titanium Battleaxe -- I don't trust my stats to do a level 60 craft) with the level 52 main hand and level 53 off-hand, using my old artisan i60 gear from level 50 (I kept it for nostalgia purposes), minus accessories and belt (I used unmelded holy cedar HQ accessories, and a holy rainbow apron HQ melded with a piety III materia for spirit bonding purposes). According to your item level theory, I shouldn't be able to get anywhere close to 17%? maybe? I was able to push the quality all the way up to 81% with enough steps to finish the craft. and it came out HQ.