The skill progression is atrocious

[Lumberfoot]

Yes.

Which means that using the term "gradual" is essentially meaningless. It would also mean that a "sporadic" progression would be included in the term as well.

Pulling more is really the only thing that can make it harder in a dungeon. You have more abilities to attack the enemies while at the same time defend yourselves from them.

You do indeed have more abilities that you need to keep track of to make the run as smooth as earlier dungeons. If the game is balanced the difficulty will take the additional abilities into account and require you to use them properly, meaning that additional offensive and defensive abilities does not make the dungeon easier.

Progression can and does indeed change the way a job may play in this game.

Not what I was disputing.