Well, fearing the worst for specialists, I went ahead and started up an alt, got it progressed through all the main story ready for HW, and got all the crafts up to 15 before the maintenance. I also had a third character ready to progress. I won't be unhappy, though, if that effort wasn't needed.

As an omnicrafter, it was nice to walk into level optimum equips at each stage of leveling up, including melded Kirimu / Plat when I turned 50!

It should be easier to level an alt after HW launch. They've announced the main story quests will give more EXP reward. You'll still have all that running around and need to open all the dungeons.