Question Regarding Items

[Enkidoh]

Welcome to Eorzea!

Firstly, the little coloured circle shows that piece of gear can be dyed, that is, it's majority colour can be changed (the colour in the circle shows the colour it is currently dyed as, if this circle is clear, then it is currently undyed and showing it's default colour). The quest to unlock the ability to dye gear becomes available at level 15 from Vesper Bay in Western Thanalan, of which more info can be found here.

Secondly, the only way to check a piece of gear's HQ version is by browsing the Market Board as it will list the normal version by default, but also list the HQ version in the same column as well. Hence this is where an online resource like the Lodestone's own equipment database or a third party site like Gamerescape comes in handy, as there is no easy way to check a HQ version stats on a NQ item I'm afraid, at least as far as I'm aware.

I'm not a crafter so I am afraid I cannot answer that last question fully, but from I understand it can be useful and slightly cheaper than getting the gear yourself from other sources like the Market Board... however, bare in mind you need to source the materials and unless you are also harvesting materials with farming classes as well, buying the materials to craft can often be more expensive than simply buying the finished item off the Market Board. A lot of players craft though not to make money or supply themselves with gear, but just because they find it fun, which is after all the whole point to the game.

Really, because of the Armoury System encouraging you to try different classes, go ahead and try crafting for yourself! You never know until you try after all.