Content sellers and Party Finder

[Moqi]

I find asking to be paid for 10-20 minutes of your time to be ridridiculous; you're playing a game, it's not like you're doing anything valuable with that time. Still, it doesn't affect me so whatever, people can do what they want with their money. If you shout about it I am going to balcklist you though, that's spamming. Keep it to PF entries.

[Shirai]

But it's not using the Party Finder for its intended purpose either. Neither are crafters using it for advertising either.

I completely agree, but I have seen more things in the PF that aren't its intended purpose but that are possibly closer to a violation than advertising mercenary services.

For the sake of the younger folk browsing these forums I shall not go into specifics.

[waldo]

I would think only RMT is illegal. I'm no dev, but don't see it as any differnt than buying anything else in the game as long as long as you're exchanging Gil or items.

I can't do it myself due to lack of funds, besides my FC is pretty amazing with help days...
But if someone were in a small FC with true friends, one that couldn't clear content normally, I don't see an issue with getting content advancement via mercenaries. I've missed FC clears by scheduling conflicts and circumstance and been in duty finder hell before, don't wish that on anyone!

[Felis]

Will buying a set of gear from a crafter unlock Ifrit Ex or Coil 2?

Yes, because you would need a specific ilevel to enter it. And therefore you buy it if you don't have it.

[Vaara]

But if someone were in a small FC with true friends, one that couldn't clear content normally, I don't see an issue with getting content advancement via mercenaries. I've missed FC clears by scheduling conflicts and circumstance and been in duty finder hell before, don't wish that on anyone!

I am sort of in that situation. My FC is pretty small with mainly new players, and I have been bashing my head against a wall just trying to get Garuda Ex done in DF/PF. I have pretty much learned the fight now (not that it is particularly difficult as a healer) but every time a new DF starts you are treading the same ground over and over ("Don't attack the spiny", "tank Chirada here" etc) with no sense of progress.

If prices for these services were affordable to me, I would definitely consider it for content that I have tried many times. I don't see anything wrong with it personally.

[Purrfectstorm]

Yeah people that don't like or support "Merc" or "Carry Service" are scrubs just cause they voice and opinion that anyone that buys their way through content is too lazy to do it on their own or to anti-social to find and join an FC and put in the time with a group of people to learn the fights.

Yeah basically. Limiting yourself by rules that don't exist makes you a scrub.

[Kyros]

But it's not using the Party Finder for its intended purpose either. Neither are crafters using it for advertising either.

Actually, I'd say that's exactly its purpose. PF was designed so players could customize the kind of party they want instead of being thrown into the Duty Finder. Progression groups, farming groups, merc groups, story-related, role-playing groups and learning groups all fall into this category, basically.

A funny thing I keep seeing posted in this thread is about how buying a clear doesn't make you learn mechanics etc. I have the exact same feeling whenever we carry a bad trough content for free. I'm pretty sure bads being carried happens way more often than bads paying for a run. It isn't even proportional, to the point where I find this argument ridiculous. At least the paying one put forth some kind of effort for it, even if it was an economical one.

[Raxion]

Yeah basically. Limiting yourself by rules that don't exist makes you a scrub.

Do people really still find Sirlin's opinion to be valid?

Nobody is setting rules here. People that pay their way through content, usually have reasons. Some of which do hurt the end game community.

If someone buys a clear due to lack of personal ability, that's not good. If someone buys a clear because they can't find a capable group, but are capable themselves, then it's fine. The problem is, it's usually the ones that lack personal ability that buy the runs. The capable players usually find a way to down content legitimately.

"Scrub" hardly applies, as this game isn't competitive by nature.

[Purrfectstorm]

Do people really still find Sirlin's opinion to be valid?

Nobody is setting rules here. People that pay their way through content, usually have reasons. Some of which do hurt the end game community.

If someone buys a clear due to lack of personal ability, that's not good. If someone buys a clear because they can't find a capable group, but are capable themselves, then it's fine. The problem is, it's usually the ones that lack personal ability that buy the runs. The capable players usually find a way to down content legitimately.

"Scrub" hardly applies, as this game isn't competitive by nature.

How does buying a clear due to lack of personal ability hurt the end game community? Most likely, if a person pays for a clear for one piece of content, they'll need to pay for a clear on even harder content. I'd rather they do this than try to get carried for free and ruin other groups' ability to clear. If they don't continue to pay, they've either gotten better (good thing) or found an LS/FC to help them (good thing). Worst case scenario they're giving end game players who might log in once a week reason to log in more (yet another good thing). I don't understand why you think this is a bad thing.

Also, yes I do find Sirlin's opinion to be valid. I play cards professionally and saw people limiting themselves all the time with the mentality he talks about. Furthermore, I disagree that the game's not competitive. It may not be designed that way but the attitude of the community makes it that way. Else why get agitated about anyone being carried, paying for runs, or anything else?

[Raxion]

How does buying a clear due to lack of personal ability hurt the end game community? Most likely, if a person pays for a clear for one piece of content, they'll need to pay for a clear on even harder content.

Or they'll join and ruin a PF group with their inability to handle the content.

Furthermore, I disagree that the game's not competitive. It may not be designed that way but the attitude of the community makes it that way. Else why get agitated about anyone being carried, paying for runs, or anything else?

Only the top 1% of players can consider themselves in the "competitive tier" of raiding. The only competition there, is competing for server/world first. If you're buying a run from a group, you're not even close to "competing".