Oh, well ...

>.>

<.<

In part, I'm figuring that the dev team will be adjusting the HQ rate for converting raw materials into ingredients, or ingredients into other ingredients. I suppose it would be a worthwhile exercise to crunch through using that data (and the implicit assumption that +1/2/3 would map to HQ in the 1.20 HQ system), just to see how easy THAT would be.

And, you raise a good point that without the worry of saving durability for touch ups, really dedicated crafter might well push the delta-quality to 150Q. I'm all for trying to stress the proposed system to see how easy we can make it. With all the possible breakage from people busting their HQ gear trying to stuff in five materia, the market could pretty easily handle a larger influx of HQ gear. The 16.5 hours for a single pair of chain boots is kind of steep, but the 2000+ HQ raw mats needed seems like the more critical roadblock. Not to mention that coloring the gear (to customize it / improve the stats) is another 5+ hours and 700 or so HQ mats.

Anyhow, I'll scribble on my envelope some more and post results in a bit.