I enjoy playing the game just the way it is, of course granted I solo almost all my xp, but I do pickup groups usually seeing as how my LS usually does runs that don't jive with my schedule. I've had some success and some failures, I don't consider myself a great player and at times not even a good player but one of the reasons I play FFXIV is due to the difficulty. If it's too easy then too many ppl parading around waving their jolies in the air acting like they are the best thing ever... I left FFXI shortly after Abyssea came out b/c the lvl 30 entry level meant that every kid with the ability to setup an account could get a PL to 30 then leech to 80~90 in a matter of days. Suddenly there was a huge influx of players lvl 90 with skill in the dunes range and knowledge of the game equivelant as well.

That being said, if they do make it easier, then I don't agree that easy mode should have any drops... and before you flame me, I have only completed the easy mode of Ifrit and have yet to do the Moogle or Garuda but in regards to someone's post earlier about content no longer being relevant after a month, I think that is how content stays relevant. If everyone can get all the good gear on one or two runs first try then after a month or so nobody is doing those runs anymore.

That's just my 2 cents...