Disclaimer: I tend to go a LITTLE overboard when it comes to crafting.

I despise Gathering. I really, really do. I was livid when Red Scrips were first released because I felt forced to level my gatherers and gear them out so I wouldn't have to spend millions to craft a single mat. Even after I geared them out, I still had to spend a few hours to cap Red Scrips and then spend 8-10 hours a week gathering enough items to make 2, maybe 3 items. Before the change to Favors I completed 5 OHs, all of the Accessories and all 8 Chestpieces. BELIEVE me when I say Favors are not NEARLY as bad as they once were, and compared to the time investment required before the change it is MUCH easier to farm the mats for an item. Gathering the Favor mats for a single Chestpiece used to take me 6-8 hours. After the change to Red Scrips I spent 7 hours that Saturday gathering the mats I needed for 4 MHs.

I completely agree that there is practically zero motivation to craft 2-Stars right now for anyone who isn't min/maxing or a lover of all things glamour (Lets be honest, Crafting AF2 blows Combat AF2 out of the water right now) and I am absolutely not a fan of Favors, but the grind has been SIGNIFICANTLY reduced from what it was at the beginning.