Variance in player skill is hurting FFXIV's itemization design.

[Granyala]

I think giving casuals alternate methods of acquisition other than just "wait for the raid nerf" is what's more important, tbh. I don't raid not because I'm not "good enough", I don't raid cuz it's boring. Pre-scripted encounters with lockstep synchro swimming mechanics and a "someone died, time to wipe" fail ratio aren't interesting to me. I actually find myself as a healer most challenged in Mhach these days, where my ability to adapt and react to scenarios has salvaged many a run. So for me, the ideal ways to get gear would be from there, or from the Esos/Lore I get from running the place repeatedly.

Same here. Why I do consider raids fun (I have the skill to raid Mythic in WoW) I got tired of the scheduled play and coordination dance with 1 or 2 guys screwing it up all the time.

These days I want to play when and for how long I feel like.
I don't want to contend with dumb loot RNG and I most certainly don't want to contend with underperforming raid members.
Been an officer, done that long enough.

This is why I happen to like the tome gear (guaranteed progress at my own pace) and Mhachs difficulty level is pretty much spot on for raids featuring random people.
Not as hilariously braindead as WoWs LFR. >.<

Diadem was fine, but the crybabies of casuals came to the internet complain about it because it would require effort to get decent gear

Diadem is NOT fine. It is a skull-imploding™ boring RNG grind clusterf***.
I don't pay a sub to mindlessly farm mobs and if that is what casual content is supposed to look like, I'm out.
WAAY more entertaining games out there.