The Elder Scrolls Online "Ask Us Anything": Crafting

There's another "Ask Us Anything" feature ripe for the taking on The Elder Scrolls Online website, with this particular entry sharing some developer-provided information about the MMORPG's crafting system. A sampling:

I read that you can only "master" two crafting skills. Can I master two crafting skills while still being capable of using the other crafting skills? I do so love the ability to be a bit of a jack of all trades.

If you choose to do so, you can advance in or even master every crafting profession we have just keep in mind that skill points are limited. A skill point spent in crafting is one you didn't spend on a combat skill that you might want on the battlefield, so make sure you consider your choices carefully.

How will crafted gear compare to dungeon loot and PvP rewards? I hope the crafting system won't be there just to do something when you're bored, but that it will contribute to the economic health of the game.

Crafted gear of the same level and same quality as gear found in the world is almost always better. For instance, if you find a level 22 sword of fine quality, but your friend crafts a level 22 sword of fine quality, the damage done by the crafted sword is going to be slightly better. However, some of the gear you find in the world will have unique enchantments or set bonuses crafters cannot replicate. Still, a crafter might be able to take that dropped item and make it even better while retaining the unique enchantment.

Can special sets be mixed and provide two or three special set bonuses?

With seven pieces of armor plus weapons, you can wear two complete sets with three-piece requirements. Our higher level sets might have a five-piece requirement, though, making it harder for you to get every bonus from two sets.

Will crafting skill lines provide their own passive and active abilities?

These skill lines don't have active abilities; they come with a nice set of passives to choose from. For example, you can spend points to get a hireling who will gather crafting materials for you or for an increased chance to extract better materials when you deconstruct an item or refine resources.