The real issue here isn't the meld success rate but the cost of materia's on the market to be able to meld a Novus (or even just gear) within a decent time frame. FOr instance, you could spiritbond every single Materia for your novus but you probably wouldnt have it completed for months to years and by then something new to replace it will be out. Or the flipside, you can buy every materia you need for Novus and be broke or forced into slave labour to pay for it :P Just saying. Materia costs need to be adjusted in some way. 200k+ for a Materia IV is alot to swallow when you are breaking them left and right trying to meld.