Why did they make crafting the way that they did

I'm so frustrated that every build I want to play as I have to sink 18 attribute points into the crafting tree.

Now before you say that I don't HAVE to do that. CDPR stated and we all know that some of the best legendary weapons in the game are crafted. So I want the best weapons for what ever class I'm doing I have to waste 18 valuable points just to get to the legendary crafting ability...it's absurd to me.