They are reducing the gathering requirements for certain nodes (dirt) so if that was your intention (dirt farming) it will be easier to gear after 2.4 =) Leveling, not so much. But if you take it one character at a time, you can also get those alts through the storyline, make a little gil along the way, and unlock CT while you're at it, getting a couple of nice IV materia of your choice to sell on the market.