It is perfectly reasonable that any item whose alchemy origin is below 4 stars becomes auto-bound when crafted to that point or beyond. However it's a little weird for items that already start that high. So:
If an alchemy path STARTS at 4 stars (such as the Stone Tortoise), allow the 4 star item to remain unbound unless it is upgraded to its 5 star form, in which case the 5 star form will auto-bind when crafted (such as upgrading Stone Tortoise to Omega Shell).
If an alchemy path STARTS at 5 stars (such as the Heater Shield), allow the 5 star item to remain unbound.
Since there aren't many items that actually start at these star levels, it'll give the Auction House a bit more use and will maintain a mini money sink for people who might want those items (or unique variants on them).
In all honesty though, the way the update was implemented was essentially "here's that Auction House everyone desperately needed, but a new game mechanic requires that you are unable to buy/sell some of those extremely high-demand items that would've otherwise been put up to help stabilize the market."
i thought the 4/5* ban was only on those that require you to level a weapon an amount which meant binding an item to you... i had no idea that EVERY 4/5* item couldnt be sold regardless of it was bound
thats exactly what update was about... people could get guildies to make them high end equipment now every player has to go the normal channels to get it I.E. "want 5* equipment? that will be 800 CE +crowns and materials"... "what's that? you don't have enough CE? would you like to pay in crowns or cash?"
the increase in crafting energy requirements was so that those that are sitting on 1000+ CE made from crowns couldnt mass produce high end equipment to sell for more crowns to continue to cycle. Even then now its harder than ever to do it. its easier just to buy via real money which is what they have planned
OOO you cunning twit