If locked gear progression is still valued, why do sands/oil still flow free in Hunts

[Krr]

Again, it's still too early. I can say it as many times as you want to argue against it. When 2.4 comes, they'll be unlocked. There's a reason the highest end content has these locks. You and others may not like it, but they're there for a reason.

Repeat after me:
They are already unlocked via hunts. No functional effective locking currently exists.

[ispano]

Repeat after me:
They are already unlocked via hunts. No functional effective locking currently exists.

I'm not talking about Sands/Oils. I'm talking about the instances themselves. It's TOO EARLY. There are negatives to unlocking the highest tier of content before the next comes out, which is why they will stay locked until 2.4.

[Krr]

I'm not talking about Sands/Oils. I'm talking about the instances themselves. It's TOO EARLY.

The instances themselves and the incentives inside of them are functionally indistinguishable. Are you unaware of this basic fact of game design?

Hunts are also a 'highest tier' of content as they give the highest tier of rewards. Hunts are unlocked. Ergo, the highest tier of content is now unlocked. The only thing you could justify keeping locked at this point is T9, as it gives one inaccessible piece of equipment.

[ispano]

The instances themselves and the incentives inside of them are functionally indistinguishable. Are you unaware of this basic fact of game design?

Good thing Coil only drops Sand and Oil... wait. Same with ST, Oil isn't the only thing that drops there. You will not convince me, please, stop trying. Just because they let the cat out of the bag with Hunts, does not mean they need to make Second Coil and ST a free for all before the content itself is obsolete.

[Krr]

Good thing Coil only drops Sand and Oil... wait. Same with ST, Oil isn't the only thing that drops there. You will not convince me, please, stop trying. Just because they let the cat out of the bag with Hunts, does not mean they need to make Second Coil and ST a free for all before the content itself is obsolete.

You're right; sand and oil aren't the only thing that drop from ST and SCOB. However, they give what are either inferior (i100 boss cosplay armor), or functionally equivalent (i110 High Allagan) rewards. There is an argument that High Allagan pieces are required for "BiS" gear, however, many Sands of Time and Oil of Time pieces are also BiS slot items, rendering both sets of gear functionally equivalent except for *possibly* High Allagan as cosmetic rewards.

I'm not interesting in convincing you. I'm interested in ensuring that accurate information is being engaged in the discourse. Anti-intellectually flooding the discourse with memetic phrases like "It's too early!" only furthers redundant and nonconstructive dialogue.