^ This.
Also, ARM is least interesting, since it has the worst level 15 skill. If you have everything at 0, and you want everything at 50, I recommend this order (steps with a/b means both "a" and "b" are good to get then, but the order doesn't matter):
- 1a. CUL to 15 for Hasty Touch (0cp quality increase results in more exp on average with level 7+ crafts)
- 1b. ALC to 15 for Tricks of the Trade (extra CP means extra touches/mends means more exp for level 7+ crafts)
- 2. WVR to 15 for Careful Synthesis I (0CP, 100% success rate, at only a cost of 10% progress compared to Basic Synthesis)
- 3. CRP to 15 for Rumination (Gets you something from those Inner Quiet stacks for your level 11+ crafts. Eventually replaced by Byregot's Blessing)
- 4a. LTW to 15 for Waste Not I (cheaper durability increaser than Master's Mend I, but has small drawbacks when comboing in Tricks of the Trade)
- 4b. GSM to 15 for Manipulation (cheaper durability increaser than Master's Mend I, but has minor drawback when used at 5/10 durability)
- 5. CUL to 37 for Steady Hand II (Amazing skill, makes Basic Touches work 100% of the time!)
- 6. BSM to 15 for Ingenuity I (Very nice for crafts getting near 50, but not that great beforehand)
- 7. CRP to 50 for Byregot's Blessing (Best quality raising skill in the game, use it as your finisher after Great Strides)
- 8. WVR to 50 for Careful Synthesis II (Amazing skill, completely replaces Careful Synthesis I and Basic Synthesis, giving 120% progress with 100% success chance)
- 9. BSM to 50 for Ingenuity II (Even better than Ingenuity I for increasing Progress, but does nothing over Ingenuity I for Quality)
- 10. ALC to 50 for Comfort Zone (For most crafts, effectively gives +14 CP. For longer crafts like three star items, it becomes +28 CP. In early endgame, it's often replaceable by just using better food)
- 11. ARM to 50 for Piece by Piece (Necessary for late endgame crafts, especially endgame furniture. Not helpful before then)
Optional
- GSM to 50 for Innovation (Honestly, you can just use Observe for the same effect most of the time. The control increase is tiny, it's mainly just used as a way of "passing" without totally wasting the CP when waiting for a better condition)
- LTW to 50 for Waste Not II (As much as I like using it, it's not actually very good. You're better off with Waste Not I and Manipulation)
- CUL to 50 for Reclaim (You'll probably never use it, but hey, it's there)
Endgame cross-class lineup for me:
- Hasty Touch (CUL 15)
- Tricks of the Trade (ALC 15)
- Careful Synthesis II (WVR 50)
- Byregot's Blessing (CRP 50)
- Waste Not (LTW 15)
- Manipulation (GSM 15)
- Steady Hand II (CUL 37)
- Ingenuity II (BSM 50)
- Comfort Zone (ALC 50)
- Piece by Piece (ARM 50)
- Innovation (GSM 50)
- Ingenuity (BSM 15) [12th skill only available for BSM/GSM/CUL/ALC]