New to 50 gear

[Simaril]

I recently got two DoH to 50, and the other 6 on the way. I've been focused on getting gear just to make leveling easier, but I want to start thinking ahead...

Is there a good progression for gear, or do you just start trying to make whatever the next best thing is??

[Ksenia]

I checked your Lodestone profile. You are in good shape class and skill wise. All your crafts are ahead of your DoW/ DoM and aside from inventory nightmares you will have up to date HQ gear through the process.

Once you have all craft classes to 50, make Patrician sets and spirit bond them. Keep doing that as you level the combat classes. You will get enough materia to meld your suits and secure any gear you might need from the 50's. Practice with Finger Sandwich. All you need is Volcanic Rock Salt and pre 50 ingredients. It's a 2 star recipe and if you can make HQ Finger Sandwich efficiently and effectively you can make any 2 star recipe using the same rotation.

[Simaril]

Most of my crafting is in the mid 40s HQ, with control materia... Will I need all the best lv48 gear to make patricians? It looks like a difference of like 5 control versus the lv 46 gear... I probably should have skipped the 46 gear and made the 48 stuff :/

[HEC]

Patrician is fairly easy to make - if you want to be sure pop in some crafting food (+control or +CP depending on your rotations) and you should be just fine. Even the cheap Salt Cod (lvl 15 CUL recipe or purchasable from NPC) should be enough of boost.

[Simaril]

I will probably make patricians very soon. I found some threads suggesting you can 100% 2 star stuff using perfectly melded patricians!!!

The next question will be whether to bother with Vanya for my Whm... It seems like I've come all this way, I might as well craft what I can

[Highlanderx]

I will probably make patricians very soon. I found some threads suggesting you can 100% 2 star stuff using perfectly melded patricians!!!

The next question will be whether to bother with Vanya for my Whm... It seems like I've come all this way, I might as well craft what I can

Yep you can
You need to hit cap on everything you can.
only things you can't cap are
HQ Offhand
19 Craftsmanship / 11 Control / 3 CP
HQ Patrician's Coatee
14 Craftsmanship / 5 Control / 3 CP
You need at least 19 Craftsmanship and 16 Control from Both. Chest is easier to Meld so would max Craftsmanship and Control on it. Also Dodore Doublet HQ has same stats and caps
as HQ Patrician's Coatee, but more slots so easier to meld 5 times.

Though you will need food for CP.