OK, so I have gotten all 3 starting characters up around level 12-13 to give you an idea how much I have played. Doing all of this on routine to level up and because my equipment basically sucks.
During that time I have been religiously salvaging anything just a hint worse than what I have and buying only the 1200 gold chests. I have crafted a longbow for my archer and I just crafted the Katari hide. That is it. I'm now bereft of crafting materials basically, I literally can craft nothing else. It feels like a lot of effort in game and precious little to show for it. Crafting equipment feels like the key to moving forward in the game but wow does it feel like this is insanely slow going to get materials.
Am I missing something in terms of how to get materials?
3 classes to 12-13 doesn't take very long. takes maybe 2 hours per class if you jump out of routine by 7 or 8. you don't need leet gear to play threatening either. it helps, but if you actually know what the hell your doing then you will be fine. my reaver can just about solo threatening with a 152 dps weapon. player skill goes a long way.
the materials start off rare but after a week or so you will have all the base sets crafted and be looking to craft weapon upgrades or the t2 armors. just be patient. at first i was put off enough i quit playing for about 2 weeks but then said the hell with it I am going to tackle this beast. now i got more metal and leather then I know what to do with.
tip btw is to salvage runes. +5 and +10 damage runes really aren't worth a damn so salvage them. you typically get 1 cloth, 1 leather, 1 metal per rune