This thread is really confusing and even some of the arguments cannot really have any merit because no one fully understands the process of how stats work in this game.

My thoughts provoked by this thread are: (Speaking in realistic terms) Just because you aren't wearing any clothes does that make you weaker? Yes, I suppose it does a little, but does it make you incapable? I don't suddenly forget how to fight if I'm not wearing any clothes, and having these said clothes, wouldn't make me hit an enemy any less hard. I would be a bit cold and have lower defenses, though, sure.

Also, about stats capping, how is this actually proven? I was under the impression that there is more than just Strength to the damage you do on melee, for example. Don't the other stats play a role as well? Something to the effect of their defense/vitality/etc vs your strength/attack/etc to actually determine how much you are dealing to them?

I don't know much about how the little changes in comparison to our base stats, gear actually contributes to our end output, but I do know, for example, that even a bit of healing potentcy goes a long way on my conjurer, combined with the mind gear that I use. I'm convinced that in the future gear and materia will give us even more stats than we gain now, and I think whether it is big or small numbers it still is noticeable differences with these things. I don't parse, but I can feel a difference with gear and materia vs nude combat. (I also see a drastic change in my heals.) Even if I am using a great weapon, I can feel a difference if I'm not wearing my gear! Just because you can beat content without some gear doesn't necessarily discredit the gear or stats, however. It does take some skill and effort to do those things, it's not just about the stats.

Maybe if it was more difficult to get to 50 again, people wouldn't have a problem with the base stats on characters.