Void Ark to drop Esoteric parts for upgrade why?

[zosia]

I'd do savage, but not until I have a full FC-only or FC+friend party, no random-people-I-don't-know static. I run the FC even if I'm not 'officially' guildmaster. And I avoid DF or PF content most of the time, especially if its hard or fun. I certainly wouldn't do it for the gear, I would do it for the fun of doing it together. My e-peen can be stroked elsewhere.

ummm.... you do know most statics consist of a tight knit group of friends or at least associates? It's not a grab bag each week of randos, it's usually the same people.

The raid ilvl has only ever remained exclusive for the initial patch cycle. It always opens up after that. The top end folks already have there gear and this is typically where the nerfs and echo begin coming down the pipe so the entire raid eventually gets "welfare mode" during the end of the following patch cycle anyhow to allow for the people who weren't good enough to clear it on the initial run to have a chance to catch up. Although I am unsure if they will be doing echo or nerfs for savage this time around. We will see. But gear wise this game desperately needs some horizontal progression right now so alternative gear sets will add some depth to a currently very stale gearing system.

Lets be real, what is there to catch up to? If you can't cut it in savage, you have normal mode. There is not duty that requires ilvl 210 for entry. All the content can easily be done in ilvl 200 gear, even the 3.1 content. Players at this point either don't play/care, have a full ilvl 200 set, are on their way to to ilvl 210, or are already ilvl210, The biggest difference between the current active endgame players is 10 ilvls. That's it, just a mere 10 ilvls. If people really want those 10 ilvls, they should step up their game or wait for 3.2, when alex savage is truly old content and catch up is warranted

[Alahra]

ummm.... you do know most statics consist of a tight knit group of friends or at least associates? It's not a grab bag each week of randos, it's usually the same people.

Some people prefer to start statics with people they already know, though. That's most likely what they mean. I'm the same way. I don't tend to join a static unless I know at least one person in it, and I prefer for all of the group to be people I know.

[zosia]

Some people prefer to start statics with people they already know, though. That's most likely what they mean. I'm the same way. I don't tend to join a static unless I know at least one person in it, and I prefer for all of the group to be people I know.

You're right, it's always better to go into a group with people you know. Just seems weird to me to intentionally gate yourself completely from content because of some social anxiety. A raid team is likely to grow close over time. Even if the other people are all brand new to you, it's a great opportunity to meet new people.

It's no different that starting or joining an FC for the first time. There will be new people and you eventually grow to like or dislike them.

[SchalaZeal]

What Alahra said. I want to know the people before I join the static, even if it's "just FC people I met a few weeks ago and never saw in real life", it's better than "people I saw in Idyllshire". Sure, bonds can exist over time, but I want a bond that works beyond just raiding.

[Alahra]

Just seems weird to me to intentionally gate yourself completely from content because of some social anxiety.

It likely seems weird to you because you don't have social anxiety. :3 It can be a real pain sometimes. I don't generally join FCs unless there are already people I know in them, too.

[Alex_Lenderson]

I don't get why people must always compare themselves to each other.

Casual side: But they have something that I don't waaaaah.

Raider side: But they are going to get something that they didn't have to work for waaaaaaaah.

Honestly both sides should stop caring about what other people have. How does it impact your game? How?

[MilesSaintboroguh]

How does it impact your game? How?

That's the one million gil question right here, folks. How does it affect the other side? No one knows, but personal satisfaction always seems to be a key player here.

[Gilraen]

The 'hardcore raider' has always hated seeing 'their precious' items 'just handed out'. Thing is, is any of it really being 'just handed out'? Sure, the upgrade items will be made more accessible, but it's not going to be as easy as walking up to Triptix Stumblebum and asking if he dropped a silver gear or a golden gear. We're going to need to run Void Ark, and we don't really know how hard that's going to be. If it's anything like Alexander Normal that could prove alot harder than the 'hardcore raiders' are making it out to be. Heck, World of Darkness proved fairly difficult with the first and last boss scoring more wipes than the whole of Crystal Tower before it. I mean, really, we still have parties wiping to Alexander Floor 1! Nothing is going to be 'just handed out', it's just not going to require having to deal with 'hardcore raiders' to get.

[Vangl]

As a hardcore raid member who has had a4s down for 2 months, I have to ask this question: why do some of you care that the vast majority of players will now be able to upgrade their gear? We've had plenty of time to be a special snowflake. The good players will still do good damage, heal well, and tank well. The bad players will still do bad numbers and fail mechanics. I look forward to getting i200 chests/legs and coats/twines for alts.

[Thunda_Cat_SMASH]

I'm honestly never sure why this conversation always crops up every catch up patch. Difficult to acquire items being made more readily available is never a bad thing.

"But real raiders have never seen a twine!" Then you've been stonewalled by A3S and either need to up your capabilities as a raider and/or you need better gear. If you're rocking i200 and still can't down it, this is your chance to get that better gear you need to help you not be walled any more.