FFXIV: The 1 Job at 50 Monday night raiding 8 man FC game.

[Zumi]

Then what is the point of the armory system? Why even create it - let alone promote it - if players are punished for using it?

You aren't punished for using it. Level 70 gear is more then adequate for most anything in the game except turn 5. It takes longer to get 90s with 1 character but if you play long enough you will eventually get it nobody in my coil group even needs stuff for their main job anymore full 90s its going to their other jobs now.