Required Class/Rank failed - Can we have Optimal Rank and Favoured Class back?

[Alkoun]

This topic seems to have garnered supporters. I'll suck up my pride and try to see this point of view objectively.

First, let me make sure I understand this correctly.
The new system implemented in 1.19 is (in the OP's and other's opinion) flawed because it is too restrictive.
Why should gladiators of a certain level be the only ones able to wear X armor? Why can't my lower levelled conjurer wear the same heavy plate gear? Simply have the gear scale its benefits down per level, and more so when not worn by the favored classes.

If the above isn't the gist, then I'll go back and re-read some posts to make sure of the PoV.

Some of the arguments posted against this are really not realistic. I myself have asked "so a level 50 conjurer should be able to wear the same gear as a level 50 gladiator?" The fact of the matter is... I don't think I've ever seen a conjurer in plate in a serious group setting, such as in an instance or grind party, in the old system (certainly not the new system, obviously).

Ok... now I have some questions...

How far does it seem fair to have gear scale down?
For example: I'm a level 1 gladiator, and I just bought optimal level 50 gear. I suppose the fair thing would be that THAT level 50 gear should scale down to it's equivalent optimal level 1 counterparts, but maybe someone else has a better suggestion.

Let's say the old system with the scale-down effect is implemented again. Personally, I don't think I'd ever buy low levelled gear again. I'd get a great level 50 robe and keep that forever until it turns into great materia, then buy another great level 50 robe and attach the materia to it. My question is what incentive do I have to even look at lower levelled gear?

Same scenario as the above paragraph, except I'm a crafter now. What incentive do I have to create lower levelled gear if everyone is buying the best, high level stuff and playing the game with the scale-down?

Thank you.

[AdvancedWind]

How far does it seem fair to have gear scale down?
For example: I'm a level 1 gladiator, and I just bought optimal level 50 gear. I suppose the fair thing would be that THAT level 50 gear should scale down to it's equivalent optimal level 1 counterparts, but maybe someone else has a better suggestion.

In your example? The armour shouldn't have any stats whatsoever; In fact, I'd say that after 10 levels dif, it should instantly drop to stat 0.

Let's say the old system with the scale-down effect is implemented again. Personally, I don't think I'd ever buy low levelled gear again. I'd get a great level 50 robe and keep that forever until it turns into great materia, then buy another great level 50 robe and attach the materia to it. My question is what incentive do I have to even look at lower levelled gear?

The Materia system already takes care of that.

1 - Wearing gear above your level makes spirtbond increase slower. Using a L50 gear on a L1 character would make spiritbond gain absolutely atrocious.
2 - Stat gain from materia is only applied if you are at or above the optimal level;
3 - Wearing gear of the appropriate level is - ALWAYS - better, stat wise. You would look for lower level gear simply because that - IS - the better gear for you. You should use inappropriate gear only on those odd sittuations where you're switching classes or buying a piece of gear that's just 1-2 levels above you.

Same scenario as the above paragraph, except I'm a crafter now. What incentive do I have to create lower levelled gear if everyone is buying the best, high level stuff and playing the game with the scale-down?

Thank you.

See point #3;

[AamesxDavid]

Why should gladiators of a certain level be the only ones able to wear X armor? Why can't my lower levelled conjurer wear the same heavy plate gear? Simply have the gear scale its benefits down per level, and more so when not worn by the favored classes.

I appreciate your level-headed post, even if it is full of the utmost extreme examples. This is the gist of it, minus the scaled down to level part - that's not necessarily the case, they can be scaled down more, and that only makes sense given the rest of your scenario.

How far does it seem fair to have gear scale down?

Lower than the appropriate gear for your class/level. Hell, personally, I don't care if it gimps it completely in certain cases, to be honest. In your extreme example above, for instance. But if I'm a MRD wearing GLA gear, it seems fair to get something - though to be fair, still less than the MRD-specific gear.

For example: I'm a level 1 gladiator, and I just bought optimal level 50 gear. I suppose the fair thing would be that THAT level 50 gear should scale down to it's equivalent optimal level 1 counterparts, but maybe someone else has a better suggestion.

Again, super extreme example. And no, it shouldn't be scaled down to the level 1 counterparts, it should be lower. No one (that I've seen) is saying that your gear should be optimal all the way through your levels as long as you have higher gear than your current level. I can't imagine anyone thinks that's fair. Regardless, it's not what I'm defending.