How optional is Crafting?

[jabbywocks]

I've yet to level any crafting ability to any useful level for myself. My intent was to level high enough to meld materia, but I never did because, like you, I don't really care for crafting. But, by level 50, I was using AF gear which can't be melded and moving on to Darklight Gear which also can't be melded so there really was no point for me, personally. On lower levels, what I didn't get from quests or GC, I bought from the market.

I guess it really comes down to how you like to play and how optimal you want your gear to be through the game.

[ruinedmirage]

I've yet to level any crafting ability to any useful level for myself. My intent was to level high enough to meld materia, but I never did because, like you, I don't really care for crafting. But, by level 50, I was using AF gear which can't be melded and moving on to Darklight Gear which also can't be melded so there really was no point for me, personally. On lower levels, what I didn't get from quests or GC, I bought from the market.

I guess it really comes down to how you like to play and how optimal you want your gear to be through the game.

I have to agree with this statement. Contrary to this case, though, I might stay at the same level for days or weeks while I level another job. I've used the market boards once or twice, but everything I have is usually HQ crafted because I plan to level slower than others.

It truly is about your playstyle. If you want to level up quickly, it's almost not worth it to pick up any new gear except when going to new dungeons. This style works especially well if you want to specialize in one class/job. The more classes you decide to play, the more you'll eventually need to grind, and having some HQ crafted gear ready for any level is my playstyle.

In the end, you can get most of your gear without spending much gil through class quests and later by gaining Grand Company seals, then dungeon runs. Crafting (including materia melding) takes time, but you can make a nice profit doing so, too.