So the Dwarf Fighter NPC comes with Craft Weapon - but every recipe I've found requires caster levels. Does that mean his skill is completely useless unless I want to make plain weapons (for which there are no recipes anywhere but I guess you just put a bunch of metal and try and see what happens)?

So to craft a +x weapon I need a CASTER with high level Craft Weapon, right? But bracers and boots and cloaks don't need Craft Armor, they need Craft Wondrous Item feat?

And then there's the Craft Magic Armor/Weapon Feat which I saw when the druid NPC leveled up but haven't noticed any recipes for it yet. Would she need Craft Weapon / Craft Armor skill to make use of those too?

This is all kinda confusing. Is crafting even recommended, or should I just forget about it and go with gear I loot/buy?

I'm playing the OC right now on Hardcore DnD rules, just did the Neverwinter Warehouse quest and it's honestly been pretty easy thus far without any crafting needed. Did need to reload a few times when one of my guys died.

Thank you very much!