The moment I gave up on Boon Removal Solvent and started using Deconstruction Resin 3 is when I started enjoying forging a lot more. That way you’re spending (arguably not many more) materials to not waste vigour, which results in much more consistent forging.
The only time I use Boon Removal Solvent now (and only 1 because 2 is broken) is when making AoE tools, so I can make sure I don’t end up with Random Acts.
Completely agreed, the only thing I wish for is that they make flexibility on gem gear consistent. It makes no sense currently. And the no-brainers like removing AoE on items it doesn’t do anything on. Sometimes I also wish for more consistent (or at least more transparent) gum mechanics, or splitting more boons into different gum tags to make it more controllable, for example moving Number Of Shots away from Special into Venerable.
I genuinely enjoy forging despite the occasionally very frustrating setbacks, and would actually like to do it more, but first I need to sell forged items more aggressively because I have no reason to forge more otherwise.