Please remove iLevel

[Rhas]

XI didn't have iLvl. it was far more interesting than the linear scaling we have now. That's what I want to see in XIV

Then go back and play XI, FFXIV is not nor will ever be XI.

[Johnist]

...which costs you a LOT more tomes: 9x125 tomes for Potash for one vanya silk. Robe requires one, that's already 1125 tomes. Breeches require TWO. That's 2250 tomes for ONE SINGLE PIECE that is still inferior to DL until you meld it. Can't really count it an alternative, it's currently designed very badly.

And Customization costs more on most things IRL too. Shocking really that it would be the same in game, yes?

[Evangela]

Please remove iLevel

No

Please improve your gears

Yes

[Rivienne]

Go go anecdotal evidence!
.....
Minimum gear level > Skill > BiS gear level

His anecdotal evidence is still more evidence then I ever hear from the other side of the argument. A valid counterpoint requires proof. He provides situational evidence, you provide a supposition that implies his evidence is in fact misinterpreted, yet provide no evidence of your own.

The real gear requirement is alway going to be this: the minimum required for all party members to succeed at all within the time limits. Nothing else. If that is what you are implying here, then I agree, but otherwise.....

In my experience the real minimum required gear level is a lot lower than most people think, probably because people equate speed with success. You can succeed in a lot of fights if you have the time. So if a dungeon gives you 90 minutes, and you need 89 minutes with everyones current gear, it is going to be a pretty tight run, but that is when skill triumphs. Pin point precision.

The only way to prove otherwise is to do some rough numbers, and then start testing with an entire skilled group. Pick a dungeon, and start using lower and lower gear, on everyone, until you can no longer beat it in the time limit.

[Ceelo_Mage]

welcome to MMO gaming

[Soukyuu]

And Customization costs more on most things IRL too. Shocking really that it would be the same in game, yes?

It costs you already to level the several crafts, spiritbound gear to materia, yet you are required to farm double the tomes as well. I'm fine with it costing more, but not twice to thrice more. This might be customization, but not viable customization. It should be a real alternative to the mind numbing tome grind, not a more excessive grind for tomes.

[Rikudou-Sennin]

Hate to break it to you but WoW is like that too. They went further and came up with a gear score system. Then you really are a number.

[Kenjinmaru]

railroads itemization into a very dull linear path,
number next to their gear.
blurring the line between what gear is acceptable or not for pieces of content, allowing a player's own identity and skill to shine through

1) Railraods in a dull path? you didnt get the jist: it railroads in a simple path, and honestly you're going to make more happy souls with straigh forward effort=more power than effort= different power.
2) Number next to their gear? it will be the same damn thing in your Utopia: suddenly Ifrit Extreme will require a full set of Fire resistance gear. Welcome additional grinding. no thanks.
3) Blurring the lines? So you want it to be difficult for people to know whether someone has the required geared for Coil?
4) Player's identity to shine: Now please go on and tell me how your uniqueness of roleplay marvel makes you beat Titan heart phase or even Demon Wall with sub-par gear?

[Kenjinmaru]

Gear checks on key progression content is vital to keep people motivated to get "stronger", which is the ESSENCE of a RPG: you start level 1 with less than 100HP and 1 spell and end at 50 with over 3K (depending on the class you play) and 3 bars worht of keybind.

Your alternative might sound charming in the sense that if offers greater choice, but it would outright murder the spirit of "power growth"; good luck in keeping people subbed without it.

[Iecerint]

The lack of gear-change during battles currently significantly limits the utility of a horizontal progression system.

I personally found gear-change macros kinda cheesy in XI, so I'm OK with their being gone.