This can no longer be said, sadly. ARR combat is simplified to such a degree that I could not realistically recommend someone begin at ARR unless they were completely new to MMORPGs. No instance or dungeon is challenging anymore, unless you get unlucky enough to be paired with a bad tank or healer thought that isn't often the case. There is no difficulty factor to try to overcome in the early game-only a very basic story with some great moments that are spaced out too far and wide. Even after I finished ARR when I stuck around I was only interested in the story surrounding Shiva and Ishgard. Everything else was unworthy of my attention. If I was trying to get someone into the game these days, I'd recommend they boost through to Heavensward. You shouldn't have to invest so many hours into an introduction to get to the good part of a game, which is why I hope in 7.0 that new players are allowed to make their characters start at the beginning of season 2 rather than subjecting them to the entirety of season 1 of FFXIV.
Thats not a good option. You're literally wanting for new players to skip all the buildup with their WoL to get to 7.0. Im sure 7.0 will be a somewhat "soft reboot" with new stories to tell but you're crazy if you think the devs will just ignore the huge amount story and character growth that wont be explored further coming to the next expansion. Its a bit jaded viewpoint to see how people find that just because every expansion has been consistently improving on the previous doesnt mean it automatically invalidate those previous expansions (yes even Stormblood has value). FFXIV is at most a story driven MMO where every single quest and side content builds upon its own narrative. So no, I wouldnt like for them to give new players to skip to 7.0. It makes no sense and it'll also overwhelm newbies with the amount of catch up content for them to do later.