Who is gonna raid now with the iLvl 110 gear handed to people??

[Velox]

People do raid for the challenge. Everything isn't just about gear. I couldn't care less what weapon or gear I'm using, but nothing is more satisfying than taking down a difficult enemy. Being able to get BiS pieces is a nice bonus though, but because BiS isn't needed in FFXIV, it will forever be a bonus.

[ispano]

People do raid for the challenge. Everything isn't just about gear. I couldn't care less what weapon or gear I'm using, but nothing is more satisfying than taking down a difficult enemy. Being able to get BiS pieces is a nice bonus though, but because BiS isn't needed in FFXIV, it will forever be a bonus.

People who raid for the challenge only do so on the first kill, not repeat kills. They're also the smaller group of raiders. Most simply do it for the rewards.

This is false.

If you go look up vertical progression systems, one of the biggest problems with vertical progression systems was that a gap would form in the community and it would result in the collapse of both communities.

To solve this issue "Up to Par" gear has to be given out all the time in vertical progression systems, especially MMOs that plan to release content on a fast track such as this one.

Giving "Up to Par" gear has much more supported evidence that more people actually do or CAN do the current content.

Without such a system most of us and those just joining, we'd still be at EX Primals. Go look at the requirements for some of the top FCs recruiting atm. If it wasn't for "Up to Par" gear, we wouldn't be anywhere close to those requirements. Its easier to teach players to become good versus trying to fight RNG to regear players so they can do content. A good player can be taught in a couple days or weeks. Gear can take months to years to obtain in some MMOs depending on how many tiers or arcs there are. I don't think most top tier FCs are going to re gear individuals for years so they can continue forward.

"Up to par" gear is what we had, i100. Practically the SAME is not what you're describing.

[Velox]

Most simply do it for the rewards.

I don't deny that. I actually think it's kind of sad how shallow gamers have become over the years where material wealth/power is all that matters. Guess it's just my age showing at this point. I just love a good challenge. Then again, I also love the world lore, the stories (both main and side), and randomly bumping into RPers and joining in for the laughs. There seems to be fewer and fewer of these kinds of people as well.

[Exstal]

People do raid for the challenge. Everything isn't just about gear. I couldn't care less what weapon or gear I'm using, but nothing is more satisfying than taking down a difficult enemy. Being able to get BiS pieces is a nice bonus though, but because BiS isn't needed in FFXIV, it will forever be a bonus.

You forgot a key word, "some". I only raid for the gear, as does my group. After you beat it once, there is no more challenge since you've got it down after you've done it once. To say it's challenging after you've already beat it is folly.