I'm getting ready to give up on artifice and switch to something useful like biochem.
These are the changes artifice needs:
Relics need to be bind on equip, not pickup, so you can trade/sell them, and be able to create better than 140 rated relics.
At level ten you can buy cartel crystals better than any crystal you can make, the best crystal you can make is +36through skill levels(without spending ridiculous amounts of wz coms/credits) Yet for 200 coins you can buy +41. How in the galaxy do you explain a level 10 having a better crystal than a 55 can make with 450 crew skills?(besides the fact they spent a couple bucks)
Artificers need to be able to create any dual color crystal using dye packs, and create whichever stat they want via materials. Use a primary and secondary dye to create a multicolor, or one dual color dye pack to create that. Really want to go all in? Let us mix two dual color dyes to create a mix. Either make it a real color mix, or random. Want to go the extra mile? Make a crystal thats dyed with two dual color packs and swirling/color changing blade.
Also need to be able to create multi stat crystals, such as if I want to create a +x power +y strength +z endurance for a knight I should. Or +endurance +willpower +force for consulars. Or aim/cunning, etc. Make the crystal crafting more in line with enhancements.
But then again, that would cut into cartel coin profits, wouldn't it?