Fix a problem...by making it worse!

[Raist]

In order to stimulate the economy and drive down the price of high-level materia, a system is being put in to place where you may increase the level of materia through Bonding. All materia will now start at Tier one and through Bonding, increased in level. A new catalyst is required for this process (Called Aether Soaked Matter) that can be gathered as a rare item in unspoiled nodes. To increase the level of the materia it must be Bonded with another materia of the same Tier. Success rate is determined by the Tier in the following manner: Tier 1: 80%, Tier 2: 50%, Tier 3: 20%. Failure results in the loss of one or both materia as well as the catalyst.

Call me crazy... but I kind of like this idea, maybe if it were a little more restrictive somehow it may actually be something worth considering.

Remove the Tier 1 starting point for all materia, so people can still follow the Spirit Bonding route if they choose--the goal would be an alternative path for the less dedicated.

As the tiers go up, require more materia: Tier 2 needs 2ea. of Tier 1, Tier 3 needs 3ea of Tier2, and Tier4 needs 4ea of Tier3.

It could be something that is quest driven to unlock---could be some outlandish quest requirements to complete it, and afterwards it has to be done through an NPC as well.

Just little oddball tweaks like that to put the brakes on it so it doesn't get abused to the point it completely breaks the market.