I think if they reused the combat system for synthesis it would be a lot more entertaining. This doesn't seem to be a particularly popular idea though.

I've spent quite a bit of time trying to think up ways to make the existing crafting system more entertaining and I can't think of anything that wouldn't get just as old (or be even more tedious and annoying) in the long run.

With combat different mobs have different moves. You can use somewhat different strategies. There is party play and battle regimens.

I think if they just mirrored that into crafting it would help a lot (and I don't care if they have to break "realism" to do that - like allowing a Culinarian help make armor or something - fine with me).