Wall of text about DF kick options, DF misuse, EU Language issues...

[Zakalwe]

Thanks to the OP for a well thought-out and well-argued post. While I agree with much of what he says I disagree in one key point. The basic problem seems that the OP used the wrong tool in putting together his run. He used DF rather than PF.

In Party Finder you can set your own requirements for gear, experience, play-style, whatever. If someone joins your group who does not meet your requirements you can kick him before you start the run.

In Duty Finder you go with what you get. Permitted use of the kick function is tightly limited to 4 reasons, and only those reasons: afk, cheating, dc, harassment. Being a weak player or having gear that meets SE's minimum (but in your opinion is still insufficient) are not amoung the enumerated reasons.

One can well argue that SE set the gear minimums for certain runs too low or that the promised-but-not-here-yet abandon duty vote function is needed asap. A consensual withdrawal option is also a good idea. But a word of warning (as another poster mentioned), using the vote kick for weak armour or poor (but not harassing) play are currently reportable actions and can lead to temporary suspensions or even bans.

I don't believe SE is going to broaden the permissible uses of vote kick, out of fear that it will lead to rampant abuse. In fact, I think it should be strengthened to require a majority vote of the party members rather than the majority of voters as it currently is. That is, 3/4 for small parties and 5/8 for full parties.

Again, thanks to the OP for such a thoughtful posting.