So...why are level 50 players doing level 5 fates?

[Keydah]

I haven't seen this but I'm not level 50 yet. I have seen the fates in level 40 zones that are done and finished in a couple minutes. I'll be the only one there then 50 people pile in (it seems.) Fate parties, I guess. I did hear, though, that if you start the fate or are the first person in the fate to do damage that you get full credit regardless. So I try to hit up the ones that haven't been started yet, especially in zones that have those big fate groups that roam. I get good rewards even if I'm not in the group and do relatively little compared to them.

You get extra credit for being the first to aggro a boss (but not guaranteed full credit), and the same for single mobs. You're pretty much guaranteed gold rating if you're the first to aggro 8 or so enemies in the FATE (that you actually attack, not just run past...they have to turn red AND take damage from you) but starting a FATE doesn't give you any special credit.