DoH need major changes just like battle classes

[Elamys]

I would hesitate to say "most" omni crafters leveled alts to get around the restriction. I knew exactly one person who had alts for that purpose, and I know a lot of crafters. I'm sure there was more than just my one person but I'd argue the majority of people found it a lot easier to just find a specialist they needed as opposed to going through all the hoopla of not only leveling your character up as a battle class so you could get to the quests you needed (since the specialist quest is in Ishgard), but also leveling all their crafts, probably through expensive grinding unless you really want to wait on leve allowances, and then gearing those ones as well.

I don't think it was a terrible idea to give some sort of unique identity to your specialist focused classes. Having EVERY recipe be specialist locked was a terrible idea, but having some isn't. And that combined with the strategy of unlocking them at the next tier does not really sound that horrible. I realize this is an unpopular opinion, but if you're choosing to focus on these certain crafts, it feels like there should be some tangible benefit beyond "here's some different buttons that are extremely awkward to use, and a little bit of extra Control and Craftsmanship."

[Silverbane]

I would hesitate to say "most" omni crafters leveled alts to get around the restriction. I knew exactly one person who had alts for that purpose, and I know a lot of crafters.

My wife and I both did it. Three omni-crafters characters each.

[QT_Melon]

My wife and I both did it. Three omni-crafters characters each.

Yes but that is a confirmational bias.

Elamys is hesitant because there isn't exactly mathematical data actually supporting this claim other than "word of mouth".

[Bourne_Endeavor]

snip

I know plenty who do, though perhaps most is too strong. I would say enough as it doesn't take many hardcore crafters to completely dominate. It's also why I suspect the devs abandoned recipe restrictions if they, indeed, have.

The other issue with Specialist is it doesn't really accomplish anything except to gate you. If they do return and I don't feel like leveling my alt, I'll just mass produce materials before switching. Only people who prefer just picking up and crafting are hindered by this system. I'll admit, locking the end product is far better than the mats to make it, especially when some required four Specialists, but I just don't see the value. It doesn't provide much identity when you just switch Specialist based on market demands. Today I'm a expert chef; tomorrow a blacksmith. The new Specialist abilities are actually fairly strong, albeit undervalued since recipes aren't at all challenging right now.

[AdamZ]

I know plenty who do, though perhaps most is too strong. I would say enough as it doesn't take many hardcore crafters to completely dominate. It's also why I suspect the devs abandoned recipe restrictions if they, indeed, have.

Personally I would say it was a Balmung/Greg thing to do that. The edge on a smaller server is not there, as you will likely never get enough of a return for investing in it. People generally would just work within FC's for it, meaning there costs are the same as somone with alts.