FFXIV - A Step to P2W (My 2.45 Feedback)

[Taliph]

I misinterpreted that bit, so my apologies. Regardless, one being selfish still has nothing to do with what does or doesn't qualify as P2W.

As for crafter/gatherer gear... I can't speak for gathering due to lack of experience. But if someone just goes and buys the best crafting gear, I know that doesn't magically make them a great crafter. Gil doesn't buy players the skill to craft top tier items.

Gil doesn't level a job to 50, it doesn't complete the MSQ for you, it doesn't unlock trials or dungeons. Before we even think about Coil, these are just basic things every player must do to progress through the game's main content... and none of it is bought with in-game currency.

Gil does buy the stats to craft the 4-star "endgame" recipes same goes for gathering unspoiled nodes. Gil can buy the leve items to level a craft or gathering job to 50. Macros make up for skill in crafts(no skill involved in copy/paste)

How isn't this pay to win at least for crafting and gathering?

And as far as combat, Gil buys ilvl 110, Gil buys clears/carries, Gil buys drops from those clears as well, in most cases.