FFXIV ARR is not WoW clone it's Final Fantasy with MMORPG elements added. Most people don't know the difference between Vertical and Horizontal progression
- Vertical progression is based on gear level and player level.
- Horizontal progression is based on adding abilities, attributes and skill points to augment your abilities and character stats.

Both types of progression by themselves have draw backs vertical progressions ends up becoming all about gear and horizontal progression becomes about grinding out skill points and is hard to balance in MMORPG's

Square stated that they would add the ability to change the effects of abilities in the 1st expansion so that should answer questions regarding horizontal progression.