then let's boost xp outside aby again (max 600xp/mob +xp chain bonus)
I'd aim for sort of a middle path. Gradually reducing exp gain down to lv30 inside abyssea, so that a LV30 there for example now got aabout twice the current non-abyssea exp. that would still be enough to make it worth it to leech.
Outside abyssea, increase by maybe another 10-15% and make some changes that enable faster kills. Some of these changes could be:
lower mob repop timers in dungeons
Increase the amount of certain mob spawns in some zones
Add a slight global auto-refresh/regen that would be in addition to current refresh and regen features and methods.
Make IS and CP worth getting again, by adding new rewards that are actually useful and nice for high level characters. The usefulness of cruor is another reason why people would stay in there at low levels, even if there was comparable exp elsewhere.
I don't think people will level outside of Abyssea regardless if boost exp once more. There is just to many benefits behind leveling in Abyssea. At least, I know I'd prefer being there.
I actually do not have a problem with Abyssea that much. There is just to many ways to work around the huge gap. Such as skilling up on another job before you decide to level next job, or using HB or C&D, along with RR and Apoc for further skill ups when reach a certain level. With the new skill update, its much easier to cap.
Before Abyssea came out, I actually found some people either taking jobs 20-75 in Qufim Island or 37-75 through East Ronfaure [S]. And no, from ones I did talk to about it, most of them had their skill level at respective zone level and not higher.
I've pondered why mob respawn is 16 min in dungeons also. Only reason I can think of is that most of the high-end quests and missions are done in dungeons. By the time you clear a room to pop a mission NM you're going to have some links or adds if you have enemies on 5 min repops. 16 min gives you a good chunk of time to take out your target.
That's a fair point. Or at least it used to be a fair point when people did those quests and missions at the levels the quests and missions were meant to be done at. Now, not so much.