How does PL'ing affect you?

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It's not that I'm nec. for or against it, its that I often find lately that its hard to get groups for lower levels pre 1.19 because people would rather be PL'd. I understand everyone will take the easiest road to cap (almost, excluding myself) doesn't mean its not fustrating. A good example is; when the leve's were failable and mass SP was going around, I quit til it was fixed. Not because I am so against players doing it, I'm just against obvious broken mechanics. =)

You're not the only one not PL'ing themselves through everything.

Check out my profile on the Lodestone.

There are others who aren't.

The issue you point out, about the scarcity of low level parties is a way that PL'ing as it is now is going to affect everyone who doesn't. It could, if left unchecked for too long, have a seriously negative effect on the game later when new people start coming into the game.

There's a reason it's been spoken out on and that Yoshi has stated quite clearly that it's not intended and is going to be addressed. And that reason isn't because "it's a-okay" as many of its proponents/defenders will insist on claiming. 'course, that reality won't stop the hardcore PL'ers from arguing it's fine as-is anyway... 'cause it's benefitting them.

The defense of it is a classic example of how many people will always go for a short-term benefit without considering its long-term consequences. It's a classic case of short-sightedness.

And what do I mean by long-term consequences?

Pay attention to some of the names on these threads defending or promoting PL'ing as it is now. Especially the ones insulting, mocking or trolling those speaking out against it. Guaranteed at some point down the road, you're going to see a number of them complaining about not having enough to do, about there not being enough high level content, about being bored, and so on. Some might be so arrogant and ego-centric as to suggest that the low-mid level content be ignored and the devs focus on higher level content instead since "end game is all that matters" - in no small part because that just happens to be the point they're at.

It's gonna happen. Guaranteed. Bring your popcorn.

Why can I say this? No, I'm not psychic, no I'm not some super-intelligent being. I can say it because it's exactly what happens in every other MMORPG where those types of players have raced through the levels to get to the end-game as fast as possible and proceed to clear out all the end-game content as fast as possible. They are then are left waiting for the next major update... bitching and complaining about it in the forums the entire time. The'll carry on like spoiled children whose mommy won't give them their favorite toy right now, angered and indignant that the game doesn't revolve around them.

And no they won't consider doing some of the other content they all but skipped past for 40-50 levels. Because "none of that content matters!" and "it's all about the end game!!

Oh, it'll also drive them nuts to see that there are others who haven't PL'd enjoying themselves in the low-mid level content. Nothing they hate more than to see others enjoying themselves in a part of the game they consider "useless"... especially while they're bored at their precious level cap that they were in such a hurry to reach.

As far as I'm concerned, those PL'ing themselves to 50 as fast as they can are digging their own hole.

And that's fine.

Those of us who don't worship at the altar of "The Almighty XP/HR" to the exclusion of most anything else, and know how to enjoy a game in its entirety will be left to enjoy ourselves loooong after those people have burned themselves through and right out of the game.

The only concern I have is that Yoshi gets it cleared up before it does too much long-term damage.