Mathematically speaking, last time I checked (and the math does keep changing), crafter materia was worth double the value of DoM/DoW materia on average. This was using a 5% yield rate for IV materia from i45-i47 items (which could be right or could be wrong, but my data does suggest it). This means that you can make double the money with crafter materia, and then sell them and buy the DoW/DoM materia that you want. Prices change though, so you should do the math yourself.

The problem with DoM/DoW items is that half the time, you get garbage that's totally worthless. You seem to have equal chance to get any valid materia that the item can turn into. Here are the breakdowns. If any of these are wrong, please please please correct me!

DoL items (anything with only +Gathering, +Perception, and/or +GP)
  • Guerdon
  • Guile
  • Grasp

DoH items (anything with only +Craftsmanship, +Control, and/or +CP, exclusing Aetheryte Rings)
  • Competence
  • Command
  • Cunning

DoL+DoH items (anything with one or more of: (+Gathering, +Perception, +GP) and one or more of: (+Craftsmanship, +Control, +CP))
  • Guerdon
  • Guile
  • Grasp
  • Competence
  • Command
  • Cunning

Other (Aetheryte Rings)
  • Wind
  • Water
  • Earth
  • Fire
  • Lightning
  • Ice

DoW items
  • Savage Aim
  • Savage Might
  • Heaven's Eye
  • Quickarm
  • Battledance
  • Vitality
  • Strength
  • Dexterity
  • Earth
  • Wind
  • Fire
  • Water
  • Lightning
  • Ice

DoM items
  • Savage Aim
  • Savage Might
  • Heaven's Eye
  • Quicktongue
  • Piety
  • Vitality
  • Intelligence
  • Mind
  • Earth
  • Wind
  • Fire
  • Water
  • Lightning
  • Ice

Assuming the above are correct, 6/14ths of the DoM and DoW materia are elemental and worthless. 3/14ths are main stats that are either useless to your class, or start out capped on all gear except accessories. That leaves 5/14ths of worthwhile materia, essentially 1/3rd. Assume I'm right and there's a 5% chance to get a grade IV materia from a level 45 item (the best you can do if you're doing open-world farming). Your chance to get a grade IV Savage Might materia from a given gear piece is 1.4%. On average, you'd have to meld 6-7 sets of 11 items to get each materia, and for relic (assuming you're not a PLD), you need 8 IVs if none break. On average, you need 11-12. That's about 100 sets of gear you'd have to SB, and the SB items aren't free.


Alternatively, if you are a legendary FSH and a maxed out CUL desynther, you can get Savage Might IVs from desynthing Nepto Dragons (the ultimate fish). You can also get Savage Aim IVs from desynthing Helicoprions. Both of those fish are Legendary Fish (the tier above Big Fish) and thus untradeable.