This game is far to difficult.

[kazin]

+1 for content tiers. Currently SE is making two sets of content; CT for casuals and BCoB for the raiders. This means that each group gets new content every TWO patches when they really could be getting content every patch.

Imagine the progression was like this:

Game launch, patch 2.0...
BCoB1 => Normal => Exactly like it was in 2.0.

A few weeks later, patch 2.0.5...
BCoB1 => Easy => Mechanically easier, bosses with lower health and damage. Rewards: tomes *only*!

Patch 2.1 rolls around...
CT => Normal => More difficult than it was in 2.1. Rewards: i100 gear!

A few weeks later, patch 2.1.5...
CT => Easy => Exactly like it was in 2.1.

Patch 2.2 rolls around...
SCoB => Normal => Exactly like it was in 2.2.
Levi HM => "Easy" => Exactly like it was in 2.2 (story progression), except he now drops i90 weapons with some rarity.
Levi EX => "Normal" => Exactly like it was in 2.2, except he now drops i100 weapons (no mirrors anymore.)

A few weeks later, patch 2.2.5...
SCoB => Easy => Mechanically easier, bosses with lower health and damage. Rewards: tomes *only*!

Patch 2.3 rolls around...
CT2 => Normal => High tiered gear (i120?), challenging mechanics.
Ramuh HM => "Easy" => Story progression, lower tiered drops.
Ramuh EX => "Normal" => Higher tiered drops, more challenging mechanics.

You get the idea.

Casuals get basically the same progression that exists now except they can actually experience the coil storylines! Raiders get exclusive access to challenging content every patch instead of every other patch. Reserve titles, achievements, and the great loot for the normal mode rewards. It's not about the reward. There are *so many* players who just want to play the available content and experience the story in a *relaxed*, casual, "i am spending my limited entertainment time trying to relax after/before work" manner. These people just want to play a game to unwind and have fun; socialize with their FC, whatever.

Eventually (3-4 patches past initial release) the normal versions would be so outgeared that carries or casual completion is possible, even commonplace, so casual "collectors" looking to get the gear *can* do it, they just have to wait.