This is why I loved FFXI's take on equipment. You focused primarily on useful stats or traits. And those could come from all different kinds of gear at all different levels regardless of whether you were max level or not. **This may have changed since I played FFXI** For example, there's a level 15 subligar with Attack +5/Ranged Attack +5 that was a critical piece of armor for many melee and ranged jobs that didnt get replaced for a very long while. Or elemental staves at level 30 that boosted your affinity with certain elements when casting spells, there were also items that you could equip that made you run faster in cities, or ones that reduced your weapon attack delay, etc.

That all said, FFXIV does not work this way, gear is a constant linear upgrade, rather than a mish mash of items that may be swapped in and out on the fly for better stats during casts or using certain actions. But even though gear in FFXIV is linear, If we have to stick to this method, I would much rather obtain interesting armor sets and weapons. Imagine if every EX fight had it own FULL armor set with cool gear affects that you could work towards that was actually level appropriate. It is so often that we have to rely on either tomes or crafted gear to gear up our alternate jobs. Imagine if Extremes could be another avenue to fill the gap and ease the constant need for tomes that you can only gather a certain amount of per day/week. I'd much rather have a full set of gear I can work towards rather than only a singular weapon or a tiny chance at a mount.. As it is I'm very demotivated to do extremes or other similar content because the sheer amount of minions and mounts available has cheapened their uniqueness for me over time.