Thread: 5.1 Crafting Feedback Thread

Originally Posted by Maeka

I don't really think that's what average crafting needed to be. I could understand Star-crafting needing that sort of thing, but normal crafting shouldn't need freaking macros. You should be able to just learn a basic rotation and click the buttons yourself without having to go through 30-step processes, worrying about having your numbers just right, etc.

Wasn't it exactly like that in Stormblood though? Normal crafting never needed a macro. It was Inner Quiet, Steady Hand, 4-5 Prudent, Manip II, Steady II, a few more Prudent, a Brygots finisher, Brand/Name Of and you're done. The new system hasn't simplified that much, it simply pruned off the other skills you rarely use (which is a good thing).

30+ step processes were for the high end Starred crafts which you admit you understand needing that.

The Normal crafting is fine. The issue is the requirements for the Starred crafting are massively reduced. That's what we're complaining is too easy. Not crafting as an entirety. I'm glad you're enjoying regular crafts and hope that stays for you.

Originally Posted by Maeka

I'm glad they changed it from what it was before so I can just log on and click buttons to craft instead of clicking a macro and go make a sandwich.

That's exactly what crafting is now. 1 macro can last from 70-80. There's no incentive not to use one.

I think what saddens me most is the community interaction and discussion has dropped significantly. The DoH forums used to be full of posts, threads and discussion, even a month or two into a patch. The 2 star items in Stormblood had countless pages of theorycraft with all the big crafters sharing ideas, guides, rotations and melds.

Now it's like it just died after a week from Ishgard and we mainly just argue over what the difficulty should be. Only 6 threads down from the top on this board and the last posts are from last month.
For Starred crafts, there are no rotations to discuss, we cracked it day one. No melds matter, just bung in cheap materia. Food, tea? Just buy vendor NQ. Mats? All accessible. So we don't interact anymore. That's not a sign of healthy, successful content.

Originally Posted by Liam_Harper

I think what saddens me most is the community interaction and discussion has dropped significantly.

I noticed that too and it is sad and a little worrying.

I posted this in another thread but I think it's relevant to this discussion:
If I need a book or a second monitor to relieve the tedium then I start questioning why I'm bothering to play at all and that's the point I'm at with crafting right now.

I appreciate the recent changes have got people crafting who never enjoyed it in the past, but I do wonder how many will stick with it long-term. It's much easier now but essentially, it's pretty much the same. If you found crafting tedious before, I think you're still going to find it tedious, once the excitement of levelling and getting to endgame wears off.
The discussions on this board that Liam mentioned were all part of the fun. Now endgame crafting has been made so easy, there really isn't anything to discuss; people rarely ask for help in-game, either. So, while there might be a lot more people crafting since 5.2 it actually feels less social.

Crafting is niche in most games, and FFXIV used to offer a more in-depth experience than any other. I do understand the desire to broaden its appeal but I feel they've gone so far with the simplification that they're in danger of losing that depth and alienating those of us who enjoyed crafting as it was.