The way the game is now I think it is far easier to get purple endgame gear through commendations then through crafting. Not only do I not get the missions I need when I log in, when I do them I dont always get a critical to get the materials I need. Currently I can make that easier by relogging and getting new missions. I would have prefered a reload button, maybe with a price on it then logging in and out all the time.
But I think we all agree that the system is not the best as it is and I think crafting cannot compete with raiding. And I think there is where the challenge you mentioned should be. Right now we are competing with normal commandations that are far easier to get then criticals on missions and raiding material is even harder to get then those commendations.