Specialist, how did you select yours?

[ServerCollaps]

i switch them once a week to whatever i need

[Myon88]

WVR and LTW because I'm a glamour nut and they make pretty much all the armour I wear (Aiming). Kind of undecided on the third, although seeing as you can switch if you really wanted, I suppose it isn't a terribly big deal.

[Aniforani]

When it looked like crafting was going to end up being just for glamour I decided to go with weaver, leather worker and armorer. I figured those classes would make the most visible equipment for glamour. Right now I'm swapping specialists like crazy just so all my gear has my name under it.

[LionFranco]

I went wvr and bsm because they were best for crafting. I went with alc when we got the Anima quests since my fc had no alchemists. I'm glad I did since I can make the luminous fiber easily. I don't mind waiting until 3.4 to upgrade my crafter accessories, if needed, once they are no longer gsm specialist.

[KfLeX]

I'm not sure what I want I just got blacksmith to 60 now working on arm. Guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

[LineageRazor]

I picked GSM, BSM, and CUL. My reasons for doing so were that my crafter friends had the other categories covered. Unfortunately, they grew tired of crafting and pretty much gave it up. I stuck with the three I have more or less out of bullheaded stubbornness. XD

When advising others as to which specializations to take, I tend to suggest they pick one favorite, one practical, and one niche.

- One favorite: What class to you love? Do you like the look of the gear? Like the concept of crafting stuff with the materials that craft uses? Pick this one to keep yourself entertained.
- One practical: Generally LTW, WVR, or GSM. These classes will always have plenty of things to craft that sell quickly and well. This is your moneymaker.
- One niche: Generally CUL, ALC, or CRP. These classes don't have much to offer a specialist normally, but occasionally SE throws them a bone with a highly-needed item that only the specialist can provide.

[Ronivan]

I particularly hate specialist system. The only reason I'm still playing is because I have purchased the expansion before I got wind of this crap, if I have heard this before, I would not have purchased heavensward and stopped with FFXIV by that time, so in another word, they fooled me. Next expansion, I'll not purchase if specialist system goes with it too.

Right now the best option is Alchemist, since its the only job that can create Luminous Fiber. If you intend to create new Ironwork craft/gathering gear, you will need it. I'll have my alt doing it to me, so I have no problem. Purchasing it in the market board is out of question, you will only fuel the pyramid scheme that is craft in FFXIV today. Else if you don't have a buddy that helps you, you should either consider at least having a Weaver and a Leatherworker for at least body parts, or create an alt like me. Having friends doing mats for you is a good idea also, if you have a good friendship. However I suggest you never mix business with friendship.

[LineageRazor]

Purchasing it in the market board is out of question, you will only fuel the pyramid scheme that is craft in FFXIV today.

Now that's just silly. In what way are the marketboards a pyramid scheme?

Using the marketboards is a simple step up from the most basic economic situation: I want Product A and I have Product B. You want Product B and you have Product A. We exchange, and are both satisfied.

The markets simply remove the necessity of knowing who the other person is: I want Product A and I have Product B. Somebody out there wants Product B, so I sell it on the markets, and use the money to buy Product A from the markets.

This isn't economic rocket science. Back during the third Anima step, I needed four each of four different products. Thanks to my Specialist choices, I could make only one of those four products. So what did I do? Did I level two alts so I could make them all? Of course not. I made sixteen of the product I could, sold twelve of them, and had all the cash I needed to buy the rest.

Whatever specialist you are, you have the ability to make something someone else wants. Certainly the classes are far from balanced - some have far more to offer than others - but EVERYONE has SOMETHING. Any crafter can make money hand over fist - and any crafter can use that money to buy the things they can't make themselves. There's nothing wrong with it, and CERTAINLY nothing "pyramid" about it.

Edit: Corrected some swapped A's and B's. Pretty sure everyone knew what I was getting at, though. :P

[panderin]

I have the oddest combination of GSM, CRP, and ALCH on my main character because I like them and BSM, ARM, and CUL on my alt.

If i need to, I switch a stone around every week or so because I like to make my own stuff so atm I have a weaver stone and gave up GSM b/c I have already made all my accessories. I think being flexible is the best and I don't mind the specialist system but I am a hugely self sufficient player. I only buy from the MB out of SHEER LAZINESS, otherwise if I invest the time I don't need it ever. It depends on what type of player you want to be.

I don't ever hurt for gil but I never make it the reason for my crafting obsession either. It depends largely on why you are doing it that will dictate your specialists.