Guild Wars 2

I’ve heard claims on both sides for crafting, that it is a waste of time and that it is pretty fun. Honestly, I feel a lot more attached to the game and things I’ve completed knowing I made my sword/hammer. Maybe it has to do with my Profession, or that I’m not collecting materials the right way. Which advice do you think I should take, and why?

Is crafting fun? IMO not really, it was at the start but it’s pretty much the same all the way and while leveling you’r character you won’t really have enough gold to keep you’r crafting level compared to items you need. Atleast it was that at launch.

http://gw2crafts.net/ Gives you an idea how much gold it costs to level all the different crafts.

There are alot more rewards now though in the game so I can be wrong. 100 Achievement points will get you 1g. And the new champ loot will let you get more materials than before.

Look at the costs on the site I linked and decide for you’r self if it is worth it for you or not.

A full set of exotic armor will cost you roughly 20g depending on stat types etc.

So comparing that to lets say Weaponsmith which takes 12-14g to max. I would say it’s not worth it when you are starting.

Levels 1-399 are pointless, since you can fully gear your character while leveling using Karma at the Renown Hearts.

Additionally, the materials drop at such low rates (or at least they did prior to the champ loot change) that you can’t keep your crafting level on par with your character level just by playing the game.

My recommendation:
For your first character, pick up Jewelcrafting (everything you need comes from ore nodes which makes it easier to get the materials through regular game play) and use it to get some XP.

After your first character is at level 80 and making money, then you can worry about filling in the crafting gaps.

You CAN craft while you level, but not with just one character. I’ve done it successfully, but I’m running 8 characters and have them staggered levels (currently, lowest is 32 and I just had my first reach 80). As mentioned above, if you are planning to push one character up to 80 and don’t have a gold reserve (or guildies / friends helping you with materials), Jeweler is the craft to go with.

I would suggest that you level your first character up the normal way. While crafting can get you levels fast, the very first thing you need is an understanding of how the game works. Having a level 80 and not knowing how to proficiently use a level 80 character will only cause you, and everyone you party with, heartache.

Crossplay.2067:

I would suggest that you level your first character up the normal way. While crafting can get you levels fast, the very first thing you need is an understanding of how the game works. Having a level 80 and not knowing how to proficiently use a level 80 character will only cause you, and everyone you party with, heartache.

Agreed.

But without outside help of some sort (Guild / Friends / “obtaining” gold), I don’t see how anyone could craft to 80 on first character.

JayDeeHero.9416:

Maybe it has to do with my Profession, or that I’m not collecting materials the right way.

I did the same thing, but by using 5 characters, so it was easier – I was collecting materials with 5 characters (all at the same level, more or less) to craft for 4 characters, with the fourth using different materials due to being a cook/jeweler. But collecting enough fine materials is often a pain. It gets better at slightly higher crafting levels, but in the lower ones I suggest just buying the materials you need from the TP. And remember to get all the wood you can whenever you go past a tree, you will need it.

I wouldn’t do crafting to gear up while leveling. That method is a major gold sink. Buy gear from the trading post or with karma every 10 levels or so. Do crafting with a guide such as ‘The Always Current Crafting Guide’ http://www.gw2crafts.net/ for the cheapest route then use it to make your gear at level 80.