More than 451 Craft / 407 Control - Do you need it?

[Kalandros]

453 eh.

+6 Crafts on 100% slot
+5 Crafts
+3 CP
+3 Crafts
+3 Crafts

O: should have 453 crafts with that.

[Waef]

Do any of you actually test your numbers? 453 is the absolute minimum for PbP + RSx2 + CS2x2 and you will finish with a total of 587/586 progress points (1 point over). 452 puts you at 585 (1 pont under). I've been running 453 since day one of 2.4.

Just tested this with 452 craftsmanship, and confirm that is correct, you end up right at 585 progress. Damn, that's unfortunate. So this basically makes the ideal meld for offhand 1x Command IV, 2x Competence IV, 1x Competence III, and 1x whatever you choose. Not looking forward to melding that third materia slot...

Alternatively, you could always just use 3x Competence III and then a Competence II or III in the last slot, but then you lose out on more CP or control. Or just do as Kalandros suggested and forgo the +4 Control.

[Kalandros]

I'm planning on having all artisan gear anyway, since NQ Artisan pants, gloves and feet can be melded to max HQ stats, it doesnt cost so much to get those and I can free up my inventory from 7 gloves, 7 boots and 7 pants. (converting them to materias too).

Sure, you can't have 8 different looks/glamors but eh. Screw that :3 rather have 1 set for all crafts like I do for all gathers.

[Archadius]

Hmmm.... Okay so... Assuming what Lyrinn and Waef have posted is correct (that 453 is the ideal Craftsmanship), I'd propose the following meld for ideal stats without breaking the bank too much...

Craftsmanship +6 > Craftsmanship +6 > *Craftsmanship +5 > *Control +3 > *CP +3
*These are all T3 materia melds, so feel free to switch the order of them around depending on materia prices for your server.

That gives us a grand total of 453 Craftsmanship, 412 Control, and 398 CP assuming all BiS gear and HQ Bouillabaisse food.

You could also do this if you wanted to be cheap and forgo the Control bonus:

+6 Crafts on 100% slot
+5 Crafts
+3 CP
+3 Crafts
+3 Crafts