If you missed my previous article BioWare Blunders? End Game Gear System Design with 1.2 you need to check it out. George Zoeller touched back upon this subject saying that they would redress the issues with crit crafted armor sometime after 1.2 release.
Originally posted by Georg Zoeller (Source)
In the mid-term (e.g. past Game Update 1.2), we are planning on adding means to the game that allow you to add augment slots to equipment you already have.So while critical crafted appearances are the only source of augment slots in Game Update 1.2., this is a temporary arrangement that will change in the future when we implement means to retrofit existing gear (including social) with augment slots (without devaluing crafters in the process).
This is great news as the prospect of having to RE difficult to attain gear such as War Hero armor will prove nightmarish at best. Also, keeping crafters involved is the best course of action for a thriving in game economy.
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