yeah i somewhat agree with that. in blizz's search for making the game more suitable to casuals i think they may have taken away a number of things (like farming for rare recipes) away from the hardcore players that didnt need to be.

I don't think it's pointless at all from a social or RP (if you're into that) aspect. And it could be substantively handy for the guildless or noobs out there. But your comments about rare patterns are well taken. I'm a BS and it's exactly the same for us. I'm really disappointed at the total lack of high level recipe drops or BS recipes earned with faction rep.

Bummer...hopefully they'll add some someday.

I miss the rare crafting drops as well. As a BS I loved being able to craft things other people didn't have, for whatever reason. Now I feel like a Smith-clone.

^ agree with jim carey (oh lord) up there. But it's not just taking away from the hardcore, it hurts us casuals as well. If everyone has everything, how fun is this game?
I'm happy to let the hardcore raiders be better than me...

They should at least have SOME rare patterns (i.e. the spellstrike from BC). It could drop from heroics or normal instances so even casuals have a shot at it, but have a rare enough drop rate that not that many people would have it.