I hate the idea of Echo Buff. It should be part of some easy server not whole game.

[Velo_Vandore]

I think there's a misconception that players who want to experience content at it's highest difficulty will always push on to end game quickly, and players who choose to take their time are not capable of, or interested in, clearing very difficult content.

I don't mind other players doing easy mode, and I don't want to play with "hardcore" players exclusively, so I think an easy mode server is not the answer. Most times I play real casual and take my time, but I am sad to know the price is that I'll always be playing a nerfed end game when it's ex-end game.

Square-enix could try to maintain both a 100% difficulty mode, and a relaxed mode. The players who play for the challenge itself wouldn't need any extra achievement or reward for the 100% difficulty mode. The fact is it's more work to maintain two difficulty modes, and we don't know if this would be well used or in high demand. Why should they bother if the 100% difficulty mode never gets used anyway and everyone just grinds for loot on easy mode? Would you use the mode knowing the rewards are no greater? Let Square-enix know!

edit: And guys - I'm talking 100% difficulty mode! Even if the buff is optional the "alleviated" ADS "High Voltage", even if only a minor amount will mean you can't ever prove to other, or more importantly, to yourself, you could have done it in it's original state.

Finally, I wonder, if the 100% difficulty mode option was maintained, would the sense motivation / urgency to progress be relaxed in many players, and how might that affect player distribution across low to high content, and could it ultimately affect subscriptions, whether positive or negative?