This.

Per GeorgZoeller, emphasis mine: "Major changes are currently on schedule for the next major content patch, such as extractable basemods (armoring, barrel, etc.) from purple items, critical crafting successes on orange outfits, more bind-on-equip schematic drops for artifice and other professions, increased relevance of augments, better reverse engineering chance, and other improvements. We want to create significant incentive for players to engage in the crafting economy – as provider of goods or supplier - without requiring players to take up a specific profession as a ticket into endgame."

It is indeed speculation. And one data point certainly isn't significant. That said, I've done a lot of RE both pre and post patch. My success rate is vastly different. This is on high and low rating items in three different categories. It isn't a feel, my RE chance has been statistically worse post patch (I'd say at least 500 REs Pre and at least 300 post). Pre patch I got around 40 Blues and around 16 Purples. Post I have 2 Blues and 1 Purple. Again one data point isn't significant, I know. Perhaps my luck was great and then was extremely poor. But if that is the case, several people are experience coincidental timing as well. However, since they are improving RE chance soon. Eh, who cares...

Two weeks ago I would have agreed that the RNG worked fine. I've got a lot of artifice crystal artifact recipes that I worked hard to get and it didn't seem insane at the time. That was before the last patch and I attempted to do Enhancement 22s and the final crystals. So far I've REd: 67 GREEN Adept 22 enhancements and never got a Blue. 22 GREEN Battle 22 enhancements and never got a Blue. And many GREEN crystals and never got a Blue. It's cost a small fortune in Grade 6 Mats and Mission and I've got nothing to show for it. Perhaps I'm unlucky. Perhaps the system needs to support a better mechanic. But I think unless some of these are more attainable during the leveling process that there is no incentive to try for them.

This. Also, the OP's topic is the exact concern I had and posed in the 10 weekly question thread - but the OP did a MUCH better job of explaining it. Custom "Orange" gear is suppose to allow you to have BiS and look how you like (albeit with a level of farming mods and such and paying for high extraction fees). I believe one of the Dev's comments on the issue also stated that SET BONUSES would be transferable as well. The two concerns to me are: 1) Armor Type doesn't transfer (unless the gear is Medium or Heavy it isn't as good). and 2) Critical Augment attachment significantly reduces the number of Custom Gears that would be viable for best gear (as you'd need to have a learnable schematic - you couldn't just purchase the orange gear yourself anymore with credits, commendations, whatever).

Will the addition of augments to critical craft orange "custom" gear eliminate the viability of bought custom gear? Can an augment slot be added to bought custom gear?

This. Makes my point with less sarcasm than I managed in my post. Good show.

Great idea, run DB changes with the client running. Hey, they don't even need to test it cause it's just a data change, right? Just bang together some SQL and go! What could go wrong? How about we let this pass into their normal QA cycle and roll out. Seems much safer. You even got a Dev response. I'd say this one should be put to bed.