A large majority hate vertical progression because it goes against why we like FFXI. If we wanted vertical progression on this scale we would be playing WOW. If we wanted the slate wiped clean every couple months, we'd play a Diablo ladder.

Also vertical progression like this KILLS all the old content. You really think that it's a good idea to obsolete thousands of hours of content so you can participate in the few hours/weeks worth of content they release each patch? It's stupid.

Extending REM life adds more viable content to do than just Delve.

And it really shouldn't take much more than one guy in a basement to upgrade the REMs. Add some ACC/ATK, and bring the base DMG up to par, congratulations you've f*cking succeeded.

He's not asking to be competitive with you/them (unless you/them gear/play much worse than him), he's just asking to be closer, relative to the amount of work that he and others have put in.
You want gear relative to the amount of work? You already have it. A 95Relic or 85-90 Empyrean weapon is literally less than or equal to half the work of 99'ing it.

Half the work, half the weapon. It's pretty fitting.