Future updates for crafters.

[Raminax]

I doubt they'll be better in all situations. While yes, HQ gear essentially has potentially better stats than a poorly rolled Aetherial item, luck out and you might get an Aetherial item with very high numbers in 3 different secondary stats. I have an Aetherial Woolen Robe in my armoury chest which is sitting at like 10 points in the primary three stats for casters and another 15 each in Spell Speed/Accuracy/Determination. I doubt that even a pentamelded HQ Woolen Robe would outperform that.

[roohan]

But still dungeon gear is free and many players don't even bother with melding in lower levels. As mentioned, the leveling process is too fast and you often wear a certain piece of gear only a few levels so why putting any extra gil into it? With crafters and gatheres this is different they actually need crafted gear because there are not alot of sources to get it for free.