What what what...? Medicines which are USEFUL? What sacrilege is this?

Historically, potions, ethers and phoenix downs were the most useful items a player could get in a Final Fantasy game. In the MMO versions they're about as useless as it gets. I personally don't understand why SE hates consumables so much to dumb them down so consistently. After all, they cost gil to make and no one is under the delusion that they're a replacement for a proper healer. I'd personally welcome the change to phoenix downs. Remove their unique status, make them craftable and while we're at it, make the rest of the potions and ethers a lot less rubbish.