Honestly I have always hated doing crafting in any in all mmos. They always make it easy in the early levels and let you get a few nice items. Then destroy your world, by requiring raids and rare drops for you to make equal gear as the raid you just did. I have tried crafting in EQ WoW and lotr. Never liked it in any. Except fletching in EQ1. Also heard I would be losing out on a bit of diplomacy. Look my orc monks only version of diplomacy is a fist of pure hatred into anyone that looks at him wrong. Hate the idea b ut love the concept.
to be honest, crafting in vanguard is one of its best components for people that love crafting. It feels like you are actually doing something useful. But if you do not enjoy it, don't do it. Diplomacy, however, is beneficial to you and others as you can improve buffs in zones and later will get faction boosts from it. (and it is relaxing and not particularly hard to level up) its a game, enjoy yourself. If you are more into the immersion experience, then do it all. welcome to the game.
No. You're not missing out on anything. Unlike WoW where some crafting professions make "Bind on Pick Up" or give a unique advantage (blacksmith and the extra gem slots). A crafter in Vanguard is free to turn around and sell anything they make, and as a pure adventurer, you have the opportunity to buy the best of what a crafter can make. As for experimenting with crafting in Vanguard, it cannot be compared to WoW and LotRO. The player (that's you) control your success, it's not automatic or guaranteed. Over time, you'll acquire gear and develop a strategy to give what you think is the best chance for success. It is a game in itself, but after mastering it... yah... I got nothing. It's sort of boring and repetitive. As for raid drops, I know there were in APW. But my experience stops at 50 before the first raid was put into game, and I'm still catching up on everything.
I hate to say this but... Yes. If you do not work on your Diplomacy you will end up hurting yourself if you want to get your Epic. Unless they've made the adventuring drops/turn-ins for faction good enough to not warrant that painfuly Diplo grind. (It's easy and relaxing but unless you're watching a movie or something during, it can be boring as sin).
It depends quite heavily on your play style. A lot of the really good quest / drop loot requires groups, and you've already stated you play at wierd hours and often solo (in another thread). A lot of the really good crafted gear requires none of that (at least pre 50). Sure, you *can* buy a lot of what other crafters can make, but often it is over priced despite the fact that 12 other people are selling similar items. Also, there seems to be gluts of certain things on the markets (weapons), where as things like armor are heavily missing things. The armor that is there is usually 2-3 pieces, or vendor trash that people are willing to waste space on in the hopes that they can make some extra cash from it (pro-tip : you won't) I guess though, if you don't mind grinding for drops to vendor for gold, skipping tradeskills won't be so bad.
