Mining (Herbs, Stones, Energy) just takes a while, live with it. Or use a Tool Aid: applying one to your tool and using it on the resource will immediately give you a predetermined number of items and destroy the tool. This doesn't work with "random" mining (you should use random mining if you don't use a tool aid; rumor has it that mining for a specific resource is bugged).
As for crafting: there are no benefits, plain and simple. You get the same items that you buy from NPCs or find during leveling. You don't get experience for crafting.
However, higher level items are not available at NPCs, so you have to make them yourself, buy them from other players, or find them off monsters. Whether you want to waste skillpoints for the crafting skills is up to you.
|