So I've been pretty big into FF:Record Keeper lately and one thing that has kept me grinding that game, including spending a bit of money, is grinding out new characters and obtaining their materia and farming for their rare relics.
I think a similar system could be nice to have for our trusts. Each trust could be leveled up beyond their current ilvl119 cap for minimal stat bonuses. The real gift will be a chance to obtain their materia as they hit leveling goalposts. These materia will increase stats, add regen, regain, -dt effect, and may unlock a special ability like 2hour abilities etc and or enhance their stats.
Materia could be earned randomly, or based on set amount of experience earned. Materia could also be earned based on 'bond' with master, so trusts you use the most will be more likely to drop them.
Each trust could have 2 materia slots, so materia earned for another trust could be used on a trust, with a limit of 3 materia augments total. This means, a party of 5 adding a 6th trust can buff out their 6th trust with 2 full materia augments.
A party of 4 can have a buffed out trust and a half buffed trust. Low man parties wil have to decide carefully as they have 3 materias to spend on a potential 5 trust with 10 materia slots in total.
I think it will be a fairly neat low cost way to add to the trust system and add some QOL improvements for people who use trusts without unbalancing the end game too much.,
Thoughts?