I concur with @Merlin13KAGL on the timer. Hirelings are the only thing I can think of (other than the dedicated reset time of daily quests) that falls on a 24-hour timer. Level 1/2 should be a 20-hour reset, and Level 3 should be the 10-hour reset like suggested.
That said, I have hirelings unlocked on all my alts, but only managed to free up the skill points on 2 characters so far to put 3/3 in all of them.
If I had to choose only one hireling to put 2-3/3 it would be Provisioning as that's the only reliable way to get frost mirriam and bervez juice. Plus, the quantity of provisioning mats supplied is very nice too.
Feric51 Xbox NA
Darkness Falls: The Crusade survivor (you young kids will never know the struggle of text-based games)
Of course they are. There is no downside other than the opportunity cost. Obviously, if you are low on skill points and would have to sacrifice needed combat skills, then don't do it. However, if it won't affect your combat skills and the points are just sitting there anyway, why not? You could also say the same of the snakeblood passive I guess, but that has more issues including the fact that nobody uses potions that have negative effects in them anyway.
I voted other, as a major reason I have them is for the story that goes with each one. The mail that accompanies the material is worth it, especially as you only need one point per craft on one character.
This thread served as a good reminder that I still don't have hirelings on my alt characters, and I should, so thank you. I may need to grind out a few more skill points on each of them, but that should be easy to do with the weekend ahead of me.
Silvanus the Gilded
Merchant, Scholar, and Benefactor
Imperial Templar - PC/NA Learn More
Probably not worth grabbing right away unless you're building a crafter, but once you have extra skill points it's free supplies, so...no brainer. I've got provisioning ingredients coming out of my ears (even bervez juice and frost miriam) with just one hireling.
I do wish the equipment hirelings provided a LITTLE bit more at higher levels, since I go through so many mats doing those writs. I'd actually love an extra style mat at rank 3.
Definitely. There are people who swear by daily writs as a way to make money, but hirelings allow you to do that with zero effort.
I have most hirelings on 15 characters. Some aren't leveled enough for provisioning or enchanting hirelings. If I decide to start leveling one of the lower level alts, I'll respec to get temporarily get crafting skill points back.
There are enough skill points available in the game so i dont see any reason why your crafter shouldnt put any points into this + plus you might get lucky and get some free gold mats. So is it worth a few skill points? Yes.
Yes, but one major change I would make is instead of getting your mail by logging on/off each character, you just receive it in bulk. Would reduce a lot of zone time.