Just to point out something to all the people complaining about others wearing "crapy" gear to grind materia. They won't be able to grind truly crappy gear very well. Since max spirit link progression happens when you're at optimal and the higher the level gear the better the materia, this will make sure people wear level apropriate gear at least when they grind for materia. Sure they won't be wearing their "leet sword of uberness", but at least they should be well equipped if they want fast solid results.

Besides the place where you want the truly buff gear is in NM/HNM/Dungeon parties, it's not absolutely necessary for your standard grind parties. Not to mention that it gives rank 50's a reason to come party with the rank 43-49s.

The biggest thing this does is give crafters a market for gear on a continuous basis. Since the existing gear goes bye bye when you convert it into materia, this means that people will want to either buy specific pieces to spirit bond with or replace the items they've converted to materia on a regular basis. Boom instant market. Thank god there's a simplified crafting system coming in or all the crafters would be screaming for inventory space... F. that, I'll still be screaming for inventory or vendor space. I'll take either, both would be preferable.