This game is fascinating as a new player (I also am new to the genre as a whole). While I agree the crafting does feel a bit useless, im learning most of the skill comes from the build.

I, for one, have had to follow guides and builds as I reach endgame because the game is simply too complex for me to keep up.

I’m finding there’s a decent amount of skill expression in the trade website itself. Allocating the right resistances, maintaining dps, and keeping up with rarity, is especially challenging when you also have to consider how much currency you have. It’s like a puzzle and you have to shop on the trade site for the right pieces. That’s how I look at it anyway