This red scrip system doesn't seem very casual-friendly..

[scarebearz]

What I've been saying (rather, trying to) is that there's a pretty obvious amount of progression required before you can jump into the two-star recipes, so not being able to now doesn't surprise me in the slightest. People need gear, and while some people are willing to forsake that for the sake of doing favors right off, many more are taking the safe route and gearing up first.

Sorry but you have no idea of what your saying.

The 2* crafts themselves are easy, there is no progression needed to craft them, 3.0 white gear is fine.

once I am able to craft it in HQ, and hit the meld caps, I'll have a tool that will last me a pretty long time. I know the long-term investment will be worth it, but it's exactly that: a long-term investment.

Because Lucis tools were a worthwhile long-term investment? xD

There was a big and expencive grind for those and in the end they were totally and uterly useless.