Not sure what to do

[Tinytiger]

You're basically asking "Why does anyone challenge themselves to get the best gear, when you can get slightly-worse gear for little effort?"

I think most MMO players accept that MMOs are just gear treadmills. You shoot for the best until there's a new best, and hopefully you're getting some enjoyment along the way. Why? It's a video game, you're already wasting your time, do you need a reason? Do whatever keeps you entertained.

If you're already bored, try out some of the side content. In the month leading up to ShB, I wasted my time trying to collect all the Triple Triad cards, crafting 1 of everything for the achievement tools, etc. Level some other jobs or something. I just got my 3rd job to 80 yesterday. Why? I don't know. If you're already at the bleeding edge of the content, I assure you that the speed of patch cycles will not be able to keep you satisfied. Once you're done with Savage, you'll have the best gear for like 6 months, and then once 5.2 hits, everyone will have be able to get gear that's better than your savage gear for very little effort. If you're already asking yourself "Now what?" then perhaps this game (or possibly all PvE MMOs in general) aren't your cup of tea.

I think you missed my point entirely. As I stated above I really enjoyed the challenge of getting the best gear. And I never mentioned anything about catch-up mechanics either, but I don't think they are a bad idea at all.

My issue right now is that it feels like there's nothing to do with the gear once you get it. There's no way to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You just stand in the city and look pretty. Shouldn't there be some more max level content to do that allows you to feel how much more powerful you got by obtaining this awesome gear? Something where you can feel how much of an advantage you have because of this gear you farmed?

In my experience with MMOS, max level is when the game is supposed to start, not come to an abrupt end. But I think I'm starting to realize that comparing this game to other MMOS is my mistake.

once you reach best in slot from that, if you're ONLY healing and that's the ONLY thing you want to do, then just unsub until the next update. that's all I can suggest.

this game has no world pvp and never will, and XIV's dev philosophy doesn't favor a mythic+ type dungeon challenge system.

the only other thing would be to find yourself a group for Ultimate and do that when it comes out. if you're THAT good.

I'm starting to realize this as well. Thanks to everyone who replied, for the honest answers.
But I never claimed to be good On the contrary, I make mistakes like everyone else; especially in unfamiliar content. Most of the time, however, the solution is simply to practice at it and learn from your mistakes until you've gotten comfortable with the encounter.