Game needs more "worthwhile" intermediate difficulty content

[MasamuneBranford]

Back in 2.0 - you had Titan HM and BCB Turns 1 through 4 which provided a perfect amount of "intermediate" difficulty for players. This content was "worthwhile" because it was either a roadblock (Titan HM) or a means to earn "some" of the best gear at the time (Titan HM and BCB turns 1-4).

Look at the game today. Crystal tower and the new dungeons are without a doubt "easy" content (understatement). Then you have BCB 6-9 that are all hardcore content. Where is the intermediate content for players who don't have dedicated FC parties and countless hours to invest picking up hardcore strategies?

The main difference between 2.0 and 2.3 - is that in 2.0, the intermediate content would have been the means for a player to earn "most" of the item level 110 gear (item level 90 at the time). In 2.3 - this is primarily done via the hunt (or via hardcore content). In my opinion, players would find it more rewarding to earn item level 110 content via intermediate difficulty content than the hunt.

The extreme primals are intermediate content - but the main problem is that they provide item level 100 gear. Item level 100 gear can be achieved via the easy content (soldiery / zodiac). This is different than the system established in 2.0 (which I believe was more preferable).

[Codek]

Turn 2 at the time was challenging up until the enrage strat broke out. T4 was a brick wall for most PuG's till they out geared it well into 2.1 and beyond.

I never really considered them "intermediate" in 2.0 as long as everyone was walking in with maybe full i70 gear.

Regardless of that, I believe your intent was to request for more fights where it's not essential that every member has an absolute understanding of all the mechanics to have a chance at success. This has become a common occurrence with bosses from T5 onward and does seem to put a lot of stress on players trying to move forward. It is a growing problems and I'm curious to see what SE's plans are to resolve it.

[Ashkendor]

Turn 2 at the time was challenging up until the enrage strat broke out. T4 was a brick wall for most PuG's till they out geared it well into 2.1 and beyond.

I never really considered them "intermediate" in 2.0 as long as everyone was walking in with maybe full i70 gear.

I was gonna say, I could see T1 being called intermediate but T2 before enrage... ew. I never had to do it that way, but I read the guide and pulled a serious "wtf?" at the strat. T4 is really only intermediate now because even casuals massively outgear it these days to the point where it's basically just lining up mobs to kill one by one. There's tons of people that still can't clear T5 with i100+ gear. Dem mechanics be op.

[CYoung187]

Completely agree with this. As someone who has too much going in on in RL to ever join a static it is sad to see the more mid-core content go away. In 2.0 you could legitimately pug coil 1-4. It was still difficult, and most groups failed but you could at least progress thru t4 througout the week. It was worthwhile. Now first coil is garbage, and second coil is cleared by statics for the vast majority. PUG groups are very bad at second coil, and the primals are a complete waste. The lockout system really holds back progression for those not in a static. It's disappointing to see good fights like titan HM and Ultima HM go to waste like they are now.

[NorthernLadMSP]

I agree with this. I'm of the opinion, if you don't have a great static, you're getting absolutely no where in Coil 2. But, once your're past T5, all that's left (if you don't have a static) is easy things like hunts. Basically, that is why right now the only thing I do anymore is Frontlines. It's at least fun.