Normal Raids aren't exactly Raids, are they?

[ItMe]

They removed the trash pulls because no one liked them.

[SirCadogan]

New to FF but in any other game, clearing trash was just another time sink. Raid starts at 8pm, I expect to be doing bosses at 8 not (depending on the game, raid, etc…) 10-40 minutes just to get to the first boss.

Spend 15 min getting to a 5 min fight only to spend 15 min getting to a 7 min boss fight and so on. What’s the point?

[Commander_Justitia]

They removed the trash pulls because no one liked them.

I like them, they give the area more depth and detail because the zones are usually larger. They create more atmosphere. I think that is a big weakness compared to Raids in WoW for example. My favorite "atmosphere" raids are Coils and Baldesion Arsenal.

[RokkuEkkusu]

They removed the trash pulls because no one liked them.

At this point, we might as call the "Raids" as they truly are: "Trials".

[ReiganCross]

At this point, we might as call the "Raids" as they truly are: "Trials".

Yeah, that is entirely my point. The rewards are different, yeah, but I finish a Raid the exact same way I finish a Trial. The game play is the same, you just get into an arena and kill a boss... Hell, I think the Trials got more consistent with their arenas this time because it's not like you're conjuring the whole thing from the top of your head... Or fighting on top of Eden, yet again.

[SquigglesMajor]

They removed the trash pulls because no one liked them.

I did...

[Canadane]

They removed the trash pulls because no one liked them.

I liked them. Added flavour and scale.