I left feedback on this subject a few months ago in the Cerberus sub-forum. My linkshell remains a small group of players. On a server which averages 200-300 players in EU and NA time, we have defeated difficult content together for over two years. However, there are some fights we simply can't find the right setup of players and jobs. Many of us have jobs mastered, and afterglow REMs, but there's a lack of tanks, healers, and niche jobs like Rune Fencer/Red Mage which are geared and have buff items like vorseals from Escha.
I'm at a loss, because I believe I've done everything I can to get players we need online at the gather time with the right preparation. When we do anything big, I announce it a week in advance and ask everyone if they will be present. I reach out to the community and let others know what we're looking for; in case we're going to have spots available. Before an event we might have a no-show or two, so I turn to the server and no one's free to help. It leaves the event ruined as I ask around to no avail. We waste half the night trying to put an alliance together, but ultimately we know it's not enough. You need strong DDs, great buffers, solid healers, and efficient tanks. I do my best to make sure we have everything, but there's not enough choice.
The problem is I don't want to leave this server to find players, as it means I'll have to leave my friends. I can't expect them to jump with me. We enjoy being here, there's just not enough players who need it or will help out. I'm going to keep working hard to make this group capable of beating the hardest content in the game. I will keep reaching out, but it's frustrating. I don't like to say we can't try something because we don't have a good enough setup. If anything would reassure me, it would be acknowledgement of the low server numbers; notably at EU and NA times on Cerberus and possibly other servers. I feel like if we are paying for a service, we should be getting the MMO experience. We have 17 active servers and I'm guessing at least two others are in a similar state. Does Square Enix have any plans for the servers who are struggling to maintain a healthy population?
My group runs on Tuesdays at 10pm BST 5pm EST time for a few hours every week. We may do events on other days, depending on the monthly campaigns. The group is small, but we work well together and always looking to do Omen, Geas Fete, Ambuscade, and other events if people need it. We have two Idris Geos, and plenty of melee power, so we're looking for tanks, healers, other jobs like Run, Rdm, and anything else which may help. We usually give treasure to whoever needs it most, but in most circumstances everything is free lot.
I'm not asking for anything other than a healthier population on Cerberus. I would greatly appreciate acknowledgement of this issue. Thank you. I will try to remain positive.