Seems to me like they are copying off of Horizons for their tradeskill abilities. Which, if you don't feel like reading, basically makes you first harvest the components, or find/buy them. Then you go by a recipe and hopefully, skill willing, you make the item. Tradeskills was the one thing Horizons did beautifully, while everything else sucked. So if they stick to the same formula, it will be great.
Im trying to keep my opinion of the game VERY low. cause i dont want high hopes and then have them dashed against rocks so much that I curl into the feotal position and die.
But they are making that Very difficult, with the items they bringing out.
It could be that the only purpose for your every existence, is to serve as a warning to others.
Actually I recall reading that once you have the components and the recipe and the skill the recipe calls there is no chance for failure. Which imo is great, cause it seems like it's gonna be pretty difficult to get to some of the places you'll harvest the components and do the combine.
The tradeskills for WoW look like they will be a lot of fun. WAY more fun than EQ. I like the idea of going to harvest the components. If I remember one of Furor's updates (from months ago) correctly, there are even items that can only be crafted in certain areas.