Personally don't see how anyone is forced to do anything. I'm with you in the fact that I don't have a static and mine disbanded before they cleared t9 (they couldn't even handle t7, I cleared t7 and t8 without them in PUGs), so I don't have AIM or Dreadwyrm weapons as an option, Zodiac/Relic is my only option if I want a better weapon. Before anyone makes a mention of Shiva EX being easier/faster, I have a Nexus with Crit/Det maxed already. But I don't see how ANY content in this game is forced on anyone, literally everything in this game, from lv1 to lv50 and beyond, is optional. You can pay for the subscription, and login, do nothing, and thats your gaming experience. No one is ever forced to do anything in this game, people need to stop thinking someone is holding a loaded gun to the back of their heads saying "do this or I'm going to pull the trigger" because this is not happening.... "Only option" does not = "Forced".