I understand the decision, but I disagree with it vehemently. The message being given is that the lower level armors have no value. As a BST, that couldn't be further from the truth, *especially* in the SoA areas where the Charm+ on the original Artifact and Relic is quite helpful for snagging pets that are on par with the enemies in those areas.
So, in a way, it makes me both sad and angry to think that GEO and RUN are being shafted on equipment they could've made use of much sooner than 99. Geomancy or Handbell skill+? Perhaps something to increase the number of Rune Enchantments? Heck, even a handbell that isn't level 1 would be useful long before level 99. PUPs didn't have to wait until 75 to get a desirable animator (40 and 71 respectively at the previous 75 cap).
I was waiting for the AF to be included before I dove headlong into Geomancer. I've wanted to play that job ever since FFXI launched! Every rumored expansion I'd get all excited and hope for Geomancer. You've stuck a fork in that enthusiasm. It's not just a matter of stats (though that's a large part of it), but also the thrill of *looking like the job*. Not all of us play to be god-like endgamers. Some of us just want to have fun and play the role, you know?