Crafting mentality and you....

[sorkvir]

Sigh, I couldn't think of a catchy title. And looking at it, it lacks oomph and borders on being out right cheesy.

SO...

What is your crafting mentality? I am basing thing off of Belthize post on the three types of crafters. Offensive, Balanced, and Defensive. For those that have not seen it, Belthize has a good write up on the crafting types over at vgcrafters.

The reason and intent of the post is to open this mentality to discussion.

No, I am not second guessing. I just want more input on it. Originally, I was my own crafter. I put my points where I felt they were needed and enjoyed a good sucess rate hitting B's and A's on moderate WO's.

After reading Belthize's post, I opted to try out a 'balanced' crafter. I ONLY changed my finishing skills keeping my refining skills to my 'style'.

First impressions:
As I was changing my point distribution around. I was not at all impressed. On easy WO's, I found C's became more prevelant and in one case, could not get above a D. As I moved closer to a a 28/36/36 distribution, I started progressing back to where I was prior to making these changes. By the time I finally had my points distributed, I was once again hitting B's and A's on easies (whenever I distribute points, I use easy WO's till all my points are spent).

Grinding impressions:
Once I got my point distribution set and my equipment was back on, it was off to grind WO's. At first I was finding myself trying to find that 'sweet spot' of when to progress vs. when to increase quality. After 2~3 sets, I finally got the rhythm of it down. I tried two types of WO's. Low level Moderates which had at most 2 actions in a section, and high level Moderates which had up to 3 actions per section. Low level moderates were easy and I could EASILY hit A on them. The high-end's were high grade C's to mid-range B's. So the quality more or less remained the same with the change. The biggest difference were in actions and complications. Some actions were not as effective as they were. This was an expected result as points were spent elsewhere. Also, some complications were much more difficult to get rid of depending on which section they occured. Once again, I think this is due to the point distribution and this was actually occuring in my previous build, they were just different complications that gave me trouble. It did seem like I had more complications than before, but I think I was subconsciously looking for them and therefore, it seemed like more when it wasn't.

Final thoughts:
The build doesn't seem that much different to me than my previous build. I haven't tried it for long (probably about 15% of a level), but the it feels the same. I'm assuming that once I start getting into it I'll start noticing a difference. I plan to try some difficult WO's as well to see how it pans out in those.

Sorry for the wall of text.

What builds have others opted for? Have you gone the 'homebrew' route? or chosen an offensive/defensive/balanced route? How has your decision panned out for you?

Also, is it just me, or does crafting seem to be a very gear-centric sphere? More so than adventuring?

[Shinto]

I think that limiting yourself to one of three builds is a bit short-sighted. I guess mine would qualify as an offensive build, but it isn't like his.

I'm 28/32/40 right now, and working on balancing util with station. After gear, I'm 23/32/45...definitely not one of those balances. I do 50-60% of my quality through tool actions and round that off with util. I might get more comps than those with higher station, but with decently high Problem Solving, I solve them in one or two actions.

I wouldn't call my choice the "easiest" or "best". I get A on most moderates, but just a couple of wrong choices puts me in D or runs out my AP. I will probably raise my util a bit soon, as the next tier has two util action groups as well as the two tool groups that I already have.

[NoBogui]

What exactly is your homebrew formula? I'm a Mid B to High C kind of guy on moderates at level 11 =-\ also what level are you?

I guess I'm a "fall where it may" guy. Utilities are usually maxed with tools right behind it and station lagging sadly.

[sorkvir]

My previous 'homebrew' build was a 40/32/28 build going station, tools, and then utils. My refining is that build currently but swapped as 40/28/32.

My stats I've balanced prior to gear. When I add gear, I add stat's I 'feel' I need rather than strictly maintaining the balanced stats.

This is what I'm finding with the 'balanced' build that I'm using (I had more time to play with it):

- I can have a run of bad luck and get a C on moderate. This is somewhat common (about 2 in 5 recipes).

- Comp frequency is about the same as in my previous build. In some recipes I seemed to get a ton of them. And others the comps were rather light.

- I can burn through most complications with 2 moderate uses. (2 moderates is sometimes less than 1 high and 1 moderate).

- I am using more tool moderate quality/low progression actions to achieve a high quality. Since the tool progression doesn't stop for quality, I find myself finishing with extra points. I think this is more getting used to the build.

- Difficults are easy to get a C, and difficult to get a B. Also, the complications can literally kill the quality in difficult (they don't call them difficult for a reason ).

Overall, I'm not seeing any 'big difference' between the builds. Except that its a little easier to make B grade.

[TheKnight]

I will have to read up on stuff at VG crafters. I don't know how different skills interact with different things just yet on the grandscheme of things.

[Tekken Longbow]

I know higher lvl gear has alot to do with it and i try to never have more then 10% equip expertise avalible at any time. If your not getting lucky with workorders this can be expensive to hang onto though.

I'm a lvl 24 weaponsmith and my build is something like 240/240/200. the higher ones being utilitys and tools...the added effect of those add alot to your actions and save a nice ammount of utilitys and it is essential to get better progress from them as much as possible and to find the actions that prove most useful in the long term. Anything that adds progress and quality at the same time is basically useless for me unless needed in a clinch.

Testing new things and finding your own formula that fits your style is best in this complex crafting system...Testing and writing down information may be time consuming at first but when you get it right, your set. I'm still at work so i cannot provide alot of my #'s info right now.

Good luck,
Tekken

[Shinto]

Originally Posted by Tekken Longbow

I know higher lvl gear has alot to do with it and i try to never have more then 10% equip expertise avalible at any time. If your not getting lucky with workorders this can be expensive to hang onto though.

Don't just look at that %. I have less than 50% used, but all my gear has been upgraded except my headband. I highly recommend the upgrades, especially if you use a Maker's Touch or Maker's Embrace.

[Tekken Longbow]

Yeah, dont just look at expertise...it is a guideline but 10% is way to strict. 50% is probably more reasonable as it is hard to get the level 25+ stuff at this point. Mine is at 74% used since i havent upgraded in 2 levels.

[Ysharros]

I tried a mostly-aggressive build with my weaponsmith for a while, and it got me past my "raaargh!" crafting stage. Now I'm experimenting with other distributions but nothing formal, especially since I'm still changing my gear more often than Valley Girls change party gowns.

Since I like to see hefty tool & utility progresses I'm unlikely to ever choose a station-heavy build - it doesn't suit my playstyle.