You can make best-in-slot bracers and belts at 50 with Armormech, at least. I'm guessing 1.2 will contain some crafting changes so I wouldn't be in a hurry to let it go before then.
As for me, I don't think I'm going to subscribe. I'll probably check back in on the game every month or two and maybe buy a month of time to get a class story done, but this is one game where the level cap content is kind of unappealing compared to the leveling content. Will definitely at least come back at some point to do the IA story.
Yeah, I dont plan on dropping it. I need it to make sure I can make any and all modable armour! I love me some orange loot. I bought the second bay in my vault just for Orange stuff, heh. Are the best in slot stuff the Rakata items?
Does Underworld Trading even give companions gifts? I thought it was only Diplomacy and Treasure Hunting that yielded them.
In any case, companions like more than one gift, usually 4-5 different types can be given to your companion. Just do a quick google and you'll find lists of which companions like which gifts.
Underworld Trading definitely gives companion gifts. I know what Tanno likes, but the problem is, im barely getting his second or third choices either. Weapons are second, but the few I got tonight I used with Aric, so I could max him out. And stuff like Tech, Military Gear give very little anyway. The ones I got earlier in the night were given to Aric and 4X, since its higher on their scales.
Even still though, I got a million more Trophy, courting and luxury. Perhaps each crew skill that can get companion gifts, has certain ones weighed more highly. I just wish people were at least selling the ones I need on the GTN, it would sure help!
Underworld trading has awesome companion gifts. In fact, all my companion gifts have come from Underworld Trading. First, the obvious: Make sure you are running Underworld Missions that give companion gifts as rewards. Second, check out this page to make sure you are giving the right gifts to the right companions. The links on the right will tell you what each companions likes, loves, doesn't care about, etc.
http://www.swtor-spy.com/companions/
The companion gifts are completely random as to what type you get. You may have gotten a long string of reward gifts that the companion you are trying to increase doesn't really give a shit about.
Thats a nice site, ive just been using
http://www.republictrooper.com/ which is awesome, but not much use for my alts, haha.
I dont like the wording on that site though, how can the thing he 'loves' be higher than his favorite thing? I love a lot of stuff, but if something is my favorite, its my GD FAVORITE.
If it is really random, I had the worst luck over the course of 4-5 hours, running pretty much nothing but companion gift missions with 4 or 5 crew members at a time, haha.