Crafter's can still make decent gil, anyone trying but failing to make gil, is simply doing something wrong. Being a good crafter is not enough to make gil, you need to know your market.

To be sure of HQ'ing with NQ mats you need many cross class skills and decently upgraded gears.

At low end - 1 star, the current system is fine. 2 star is ok currently, but could stand to be made more difficult.