Barrier to entry for crafting is to damn high.

[YamiVKD]

Consider thinking of Crafting/Gathering as an entirely different game next to the MSQ/PvE side. There are hundreds of guides online to assist you in gear selection and melds as well as several Discord channels. I understand your position as I kinda had the same opinion before I really got into it. Once you are getting into high end crafting in general it is more akin to Primals and Raids, Expert recipes are akin to Savage content. Scrip gear is Tombstone gear, Pentamelded crafted gear is Raid gear. This isn't casual stuff and you really need to dedicate the time and effort to succeed at it. Whether or not that's your thing I leave up to you but I can say it is very rewarding and the goal isn't usually Gil, it's total self sufficiency.

Thank you, I already view it like this. It should take some skill and investment, My point is that it is to much. Yes my goal is self sufficiency, but its not really that if you need so much to even start.

[Arrhin]

Thank you, I already view it like this. It should take some skill and investment, My point is that it is to much. Yes my goal is self sufficiency, but its not really that if you need so much to even start.

It's not so much skill as it is understanding the system as a whole. There are various resources spread out across the entire game to acquire materia, or things to get materia. Scrips from Collectibles (Rarified Happiness Juice and Rarified Sykon Bavarois are easiest, excepting the Ovibos Milk needed for the latter the mats are simple), Beast Tribes, and Custom Deliveries are by far the best methods. Gil is for Glams is my rule. And on the topic of Gil, don't neglect your Leves! CUL at 90 with basic gear and Tsai tou Vounou turned in at Old Sharlayan is the long game. Not as effective as the old Coffee Biscuits but still worth the time investment especially with such basic mats (Only one timed node, Lemonettes). Leave the MB to the bots. Teas are my base income, MB is a bonus when I hit it right. Hopefully some of this is helpful, and I do agree that it can be an uphill slog and there are totally faults to the system but it is possible if you have the time and patience!