Why is Crafting still in the game?

[CamAlch]

I would have loved to have seen a system them involved both high level crafting and endgame dungeons. For example instead of obtaining an Ifrit weapon or accessory upon defeating Ifrit, you obtain a fragment of Ifrit's Horn that can be used to craft a weapon/accessory. This concept could apply to any equipment and any content and it supports both aspects of the game.

On a related note, I loved the system in 1.0 with battle regiments where you had to do something specific to get a drop, for example breaking off Great Buffalo's horn.

[Felis]

On a related note, I loved the system in 1.0 with battle regiments where you had to do something specific to get a drop, for example breaking off Great Buffalo's horn.

Yes, this was good.
But it was not with battle regiment. It was with specific skills from specific classes
Like Concussive Blow from PGL to break an antelope the horn or to punsh away the head from a skeleton
http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com.../battle02.html