I apologize ahead of time to all those whom my opinion may offend.

I don't want to beat a dead horse. And truly, I once again apologize ahead of time if the opinion of some are along those lines.

This has happened to me multiple times, enough times to start to make me feel like this might not be the game for me. I understand that Naoki Yoshida wishes for the players to have a choice. I'm all about choice, it's a beautiful thing. But personally, I'm feeling like my choice is being taken away from me, caused by a latent consequence that has already taken shape so soon after 1.19.

I.I'll start with the obvious. Oft-times when I make a party, get out to the camp, and have fun for an hour or two, sometimes less, someone mentions that they have a powerlevel coming to help. I respectfully understand that this is not a big deal for some, but I personally don't like the idea of standing around soaking EXP. As a result, as I have made the party, I say {No thanks.}

And what do you think happens? I'm suddenly the bad guy because I don't support powerleveling. Anywhere from 2-5 players instantly ask me why, and upon explaining, they all discredit my reasons and a debate starts, breaking the flow of the party. After a few minutes, a couple say that they'll leave and join the Plvl. So now we have a party split down the middle, and along with 1-3 others I leave the party after wishing them luck with their endeavors.

In the worst case, I am ejected from the party alone. Yes, I know many of you would say, "Why not just go with it and stop being a spaz?" I personally don't think I should sacrifice my enjoyment of the game so that the party I made has someone do most of the work for them. I play for the sense of accomplishment in progression. That has always been the central factor in MMOs for me. And, in playing a MMO, I don't like to play solo all that much.

II.Something else that happened today? I looked in the Ul'Dah wards for some midrank THM hand equipment. All I was able to find was a pair of gloves for 100,000-230,000 gil. There wasn't anything for lower ranks, just that one pair of overpriced gloves. I was currently wearing nothing, so I would have settled for a cheaper pair at a lower level.

But what is the point of selling low rank gear? Oh, it dawned on me. This is another effect. Sure, this is only one example and it may have been a coincidence, but it sure does add to my frustration.

Again, I understand that players want the choice to powerlevel. I want to make it clear that I'm not 100% against the subject. The way it worked in XI was fair and reasonable, it was always nice to have a friend helping by healing from the outside. But do we really need a situation where seven people go AFK while one pulls multiple mobs, links and chains gained from 1-3 outside rank 50s?

I don't like being forced into that situation. And the fact that I am having a hard time carrying out legitimate parties without this being insisted upon is very, very troubling to me. Is it fair for me to be forced to solo if I don't want this? Is it fair for me to be strongly influenced to leave a game I otherwise enjoy?

Anyway, I just needed to vent. tl;dr: I am noticing a trend in which I am being forced to either accept PLVL and cheese through the ranks or play solo.