Why are class/rank requirements on gear not enforced?

[Uzziah]

I'm sure everyone has their ideas on this but I would like to know what SE's reasoning is. I've read back several pages looking for a possible answer to this question and all I found was a similar post that has been locked.

In my opinion, it's a bad idea not to enforce this. I mean what's the point in even having low rank items? In most cases that I've tested, the high rank items give similar and sometimes better stats than the lower rank items. Most people don't seem to bother with lower rank items if they can afford the higher rank stuff.

All I know is the economy is pretty messed up. I'm sure this is due to many reasons but rank/class enforcement on equipping items is surely one of the reasons.

Hope this doesn't get locked too.

[Ruri]

I'm sure everyone has their ideas on this but I would like to know what SE's reasoning is. I've read back several pages looking for a possible answer to this question and all I found was a similar post that has been locked.

In my opinion, it's a bad idea not to enforce this. I mean what's the point in even having low rank items? In most cases that I've tested, the high rank items give similar and sometimes better stats than the lower rank items. Most people don't seem to bother with lower rank items if they can afford the higher rank stuff.

All I know is the economy is pretty messed up. I'm sure this is due to many reasons but rank/class enforcement on equipping items is surely one of the reasons.

Hope this doesn't get locked too.

I like the fact you can equip anything but I agree the system is broken. At lvl 10 I wear my vintage hauby lvl 50 and have better stats than some lvl 10 gear.

[Reinheart]

It's better to equip gear same or lower than your rank than higher. Although some higher gear offers like +2-5 more of the stats but if you're a new player the cost to get it repaired will be hard. Like for crafting if you equip higher rank tool I noticed the stats isn't good compared to tool of same level, sometimes gets worse stats. I haven't gone checking every gear to test it. I just get too lazy switching gear sometimes when switching class not really looking too much into stats. I think SE was planning to add more specific gears, maybe was only for class/job and not rank/level, pretty sure they also have something in mind and know it needs to be fixed.

[Physic]

it is usually not better, it breaks faster, outside of the right class, it is really horrible. However its better than being naked, which is what happened in alpha back when they had hard requirements on gear. even if you had the right gear, you would spend awhile re equipping every time you switched jobs, its a lot better than the alternative in all honesty.

[Lienn]

I agree with Physic.

Actually, i'd say class/rank requeriment is unacceptable in this game. Its a shame most people just thinking its a "for fun" system so people can be fashion and whatelse. The favor/optimal system is an extremely important part of armory system, made to offer a minimal armor support when you change classes far from a city. Removing it would damage the armory syystem in an irreversible way since no one would change class if he was meant to be naked if he does.

IMO class restriction would only be acceptable in 2 situations...AFs and equipment with class specific effects, like the "Enhances Blindside Effect"...its obvious that this armor must be PGL only.

I suggested to them already to remove all class/rank restriction other than weapons (obviously) and, instead of it being native from the equipment, being side effect of materias.

Example: if the dude put a materia that "Enhances Quickstride Effect" in a Bowman Tunic it would change from "Favors: MRD ARC CON CRP TAN WVR BTN" to "Requires: ARC".

If a dude equip a materia with high rank effect, like saying a DEX+20 materia has minimum rank 45, to a Bowman Tunic, it would change from "Optimal Rank: 39" to "Minimum Rank: 45".

This would be a rational way of dealing with class/rank restrictions without hurting the armory system. Imposed restrictions wouldn't do a thing to this game other than messing it more than it already is.

[Mikita]

One other consideration is that many people have different jobs at different ranks.

If you craft a lot, you may already have inventory space problems between tools, clothes, and materials. And having to keep different sets of gear appropriate to your current rank for each job would make things worse.

I'm fine with the current system of being able to equip whatever I want. If it's inappropriate for that job or rank, I can accept the consequences in reduced stats and faster degradation.

[twinkles]

A lot of the new NM gear does have "required classes" and they are enforced. When you switch classes while wearing these gear types, they are instantly removed. If your speaking of the "optimized for" gear types, i really don't see how this has any effect on server economy(at least not on Bodhum). The system is in place to force remove "required" types of gear making the way for class specific "artifact" sets. If a level 10 wants to wear a Hauby, if anything it stimulates the economy ,in terms of Hauby sales and the increased repairs they would need and thus increased demand for iron rings.

[Airlea]

You guys totally missed the boat. SE has covered this thoroughly.

[lun4tic]

Link to coverage?

I think if they were to enforce any limitations on armor, most players would be screwed. When I check around at aethyrite camps I see a lot of people wearing armor that out-levels them a bit. If they were forced to wear armor of their level or less, some would have to buy an entirely new set, myself included.