I have the total opposite, people are always trying their best and not wiping on purposed. I see less people try to leave after a couple of wipe. Before with Echo Buff one fight and they would leave if you don't win it. Also, I thought Echo Buff only go up to 25% Max? I think the reason they put it there so people don't just Quit right away when they do those Primal Fight. It also for people who aren't hardcore to catch up. This are old contents, so I don't understand what you are complaining about.
There is plenty of hard mode there for you without Echo Buff. Levi Extreme, Moogle Extreme, New Coil of Bahamut, Turn 5 is still decent Challenged, etc.