Patch Notes are up!

[Ultimatecalibur]

Ultimately though, without easing the Materia portion it will never be easier for other players to catch up because the Materia is the hurdle. Relics (with ideal stats) are a rich person's weapon as it stands.

I don't think they'd do something like that though until say, the expansion at minimum for the very reason you stated.

That will likely happen with the introduction of equipment that converts in Tier IV/Tier V Materia.