Just some thoughts on the crafting changes

[Shadygrove]

.... Effectively, the gear requirements have become higher. Of course if you're already max level and max geared you probably won't notice. Where this hurts a bit is leveling crafters - assuming, you know, you're actually crafting and not just buying levekits from someone, perhaps even trying to craft your own upgrades....

The gear requirements have NOT gotten higher. They have gotten lower. Really.

Honestly, the problem for people leveling today is they outgrow their gear so quickly, it doesn't pay to meld it. It used to pay more for spiritbonding than the stats, but even with all the crafts, it no longer does.

[Brightamethyst]

Honestly, the problem for people leveling today is they outgrow their gear so quickly, it doesn't pay to meld it. It used to pay more for spiritbonding than the stats, but even with all the crafts, it no longer does.

Actually melding is MORE worth it now than in the past. Now that materia is removable you no longer 'waste' it by melding leveling gear. When you outgrow your gear you can take the materia with you to the next set.