I've been gone since 3.4-ish. I was a hardcore crafter/gatherer before I took a forced break (computer died, etc.) and now I'm back. I did get the 3.4 ironworks gear set crafted before I left.

Was new crafting/gathering gear added in 3.5 or anything more significant added? I did find that chick in idyll for the turn-ins. Is there still a specialization requirement for stuff? I heard somewhere that that had been taken out altogether.

Also, are there any decent month gathering prospects to be had this close to the next expac? My gear is just under the 4 star requirements so I'd had to spend a bit to meld and stuff, but I'm willing to do that. Does the crafted gear (both dom/w and craft/gather) sell well still?

Sorry this is a bit aimless. I sort of feel a bit at loss. Part of me just says wait till SB but another says don't... I'd rather start the expac with more than a mil gil though (Yeah, I'm pretty broke. I know.)