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

[Brian_]

People here seem to think that to small a percentage cares about raids, which leads to recruitment difficulty, which in turn leads to them wanting raiding to be more rewarding so people get bribed into it so they can keep a stable roster more easily.

I tried to tell them that this wouldn't work, because they'd get tons of raiders that don't have the correct mindset for challenge seeking, leading to all kinds of nasty raid drama. Alas, no one listens.

The idea is to get more people trying raid content so that they can figure out if the content works for them or not. It's about helping people develop a taste for the challenge, the teamwork and camaraderie, the shared accomplishment, etc. As is, many people don't even give it a try at all. I've met many people who were intimidated by the content and the stories they've heard about it, just couldn't find a group that fit them because of the tiny raiding community, or got a taste of the worst of PF and gave up.

[Granyala]

As is, many people don't even give it a try at all. I've met many people who were intimidated by the content and the stories they've heard about it

Yah, but making savage more rewarding is not the answer.

Savage is supposed to be brutal. People are supposed to be intimidated by difficulty like that.

What we need is not "moar epixx" for savage raiders to feel "speshil".
What we need (what you already stated) is a proper PvE progression path, so people can gradually build up skill and confidence to tackle savage eventually as opposed to getting chased over the plank into water infested with sharks that have lasers mounted on their heads and subsequently having a bad time.

[Brian_]

Yah, but making savage more rewarding is not the answer.

Savage is supposed to be brutal. People are supposed to be intimidated by difficulty like that.

What we need is not "moar epixx" for savage raiders to feel "speshil".
What we need (what you already stated) is a proper PvE progression path, so people can gradually build up skill and confidence to tackle savage eventually as opposed to getting chased over the plank into water infested with sharks that have lasers mounted on their heads and subsequently having a bad time.

It doesn't matter how smooth or well constructed your progression path is if there is no light at the end of the tunnel or carrot at the end of the stick. I do a job that I generally like but if I wasn't paid an appropriate salary, you can bet I would still be unhappy.

Should I work for the pursuit of a passion? Sure. That doesn't mean you shouldn't pay me appropriately for my time.

Should I raid for the pursuit of the challenge? Sure. That doesn't mean I shouldn't be appropriately rewarded for my accomplishments.

And to anyone who says it's not fair -- what's not fair? If someone works for a reward, is the reward not deserved? I am a person who believes that you reap what you sow. If you don't want to put in the time, effort, and dedication, you live with what you end up with. But, I am also a person who believes that everyone deserves a fair shot. Currently, that is far from reality. Fix the system so that everyone has an equal shot at the top and plenty of reason to pursue that goal and if they still choose not to go that route, then they have to live with it. If raiding is not for you, then there needs to be alternative progression with rewards equally balanced in terms of dedication = reward.

But really, I kind of feel sorry for SE sometimes. Just take a look at the i210 relic step. As they clarified, at release, it was one hell of a grind because they needed to make the effort required equal to that of clearing A4S. It still fell WAY short of that standard but still the outrage was rampant. The criticism they received for a copy and pasted ARR relic quest-line was well deserved but all the crying about the grind just went to show how little this player-base is interested in actually working for their rewards. Why I only kind of feel sorry for SE goes back to my point about reaping what you sow -- SE has fostered this type of community by constantly just giving out stuff for free.