They need a stepping stone between EX and savage.

[Jeeqbit]

Is it really worth doing an entire savage tier and then only having one or two weeks at the end to even appreciate the rewards?

That does bother me a bit. I have to throw away any previous savage gear and outfit myself with crafted gear.

It definitely feels like it goes from "this is a part of a game" to being "part time job", pretty fast once someone throws in videos, crafting prep, and other aspects.

It's fine being like a job if you clear it fast, but if reality sets in with different paces, recruiting new members, missed days and issues like that which drag it out, then you do feel that lack of free time.

You feel it because if you don't clear quickly, then even when you aren't raiding, you are preparing to raid, capping tomestones, melding, conserving energy, sleeping well, eating at a certain time so you have the energy to raid and don't need to take a break half way through to eat, watching or analyzing strats.

It also seems like those who are the most dedicated to savage also tend to be omni-crafters with penta-melded gear.

I'm not an omni-crafter, but I have one crafter and that is enough to pentameld all my gear after buying it from the market board. I have to sell everything I own, even things I don't want to, just to pay for it on the first day.

where is the mid-level raiding content for people that don't pentameld craft and only have enough time for a couple of hours a week?

Extreme. The first 2 floors are usually about as easy to pug as an extreme as well.

[Deveryn]

That does bother me a bit. I have to throw away any previous savage gear and outfit myself with crafted gear.

Frankly, it's one of the best things I've seen in an MMO, where crafters are often left with nothing to contribute to the end game. Aside from that, it makes for an even playing field for everyone to start over or return to the game. People will complain about pricing. Maybe they should try seeking out help. There are people out there with time and/or money to spare.

[Jeeqbit]

Frankly, it's one of the best things I've seen in an MMO, where crafters are often left with nothing to contribute to the end game. Aside from that, it makes for an even playing field for everyone to start over or return to the game.

If the crafted gear was the same item level as the previous tier's max item level, I think that plenty of people would still need crafted gear, such as those who skipped the previous tier or are new to trying out raids. Some of it might just flat out have better substats and still be desirable over the previous BiS, especially because it can be pentamelded. But it also means that you don't absolutely need to give the gear up because it's the same item level.