Well both oppinions are good, but i would say that having materials as rewards can link several contents to make a certain piece of gear (weapon or armor) according to your needs, but in order to take out crafters they can make it like they did with faction leves items, but with mats instead of runes, so at the end all the content is for every class, they could include gear for Diciplines of the hand and land in the mix, example: item A, item Z and item P gives paladin sword, itemA, item N and item R gives Monk body, etc.

Well it sounds complex but could be a fun time sink that this game needs, and theres gonna be plenty of ppl looking for party for months to gear all their classes, enough time for casuals to get at least one or two class/job all geared.