An idea for coveted "Mid-Core" content

[SeverianLyonesse]

While I think difficulty settings is actually a pretty solid idea, isn't that effectively what normal/Extreme and normal/Savage is intended to be for trials? Isn't that what Criterion/Variant Dungeons were supposed to be?

I think you're on the right track, and I think the reason why "mid-core" is even becoming a topic of discussion is that outside of Extreme/Savage there really isn't any mid-core content. Previously, it was Eureka/BA and Bozja/CLL/Dalriada/DR that were the "mid-core" content, particularly the exploratory zones. In theory those could have been replaced with something like what you suggest for dungeons, and in theory they were with Criterions, the problem is that Criterion dungeons failed to deliver on challenging, rewarding, repeatable content--the many player open world maps of Eureka and Bozja just naturally facilitated mid-core ambitions a lot better. You could be as solo/inefficient or group/grindy as you wanted in those zones with a lot of natural variety from NM pops.

Personally, I think the switch from exploratory zones to criterion dungeons was a poor decision. Particularly when you consider the fact that not only is nothing serving the same function, but Criterion dungeons compare quite directly to Deep Dungeon which naturally is a much more developed format. They should have fleshed out Deep Dungeons more and just made Criterion Dungeons normal dungeons, not wasted all that extra dev time on extra pathing and assets and bosses.

At minimum, they should have at least tied the Relic grinds to the Criterion Dungeons. At least that would give them some lasting presence in the game.