Powerleveling Revisited

[Issac]

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.

[Fieros]

I agree and think levels should be earned not leeched.

[Denmo]

I third that notion. A good party can get crazy wacko exp anyway, without a PLer. There's no excuse.

[KooKooKachoo]

I originally started the game at launch, Soon after I stopped. I came back to the game a couple weeks ago and rerolled, I figured a lot has changed since a year ago and I might as well start fresh. I noticed a lack of low level gear across the board for all classes, I thought it might have just been the town but found out after talking to countless people in game it was not the case and it was worse in other towns. They all pretty much told me the same thing, "No one makes low level gear anymore cause everyone just stands around and gets ranks and passes all the gear, since there is no need for gear if you stand around getting power leveled and never taking or dealing damage." I was discouraged hearing that and did not want to learn how to play the game by instantly getting level 50 in a couple days of standing around.

In short I agree with Issac, I would like to see something be changed about the way leveling classes is accruing so that everyone can enjoy the game.

[smokymcweed]

totaly agree its hurting the econamy becuase nobody crafts and sells lowbie gear and the GC'S selling food dirt c heap for seals is a bad idea to cant find the food i want and nobody lvls cooking now

[Raijin]

you guys do know that you can buy gear of up to level 20 off vendors right?

theres no point for crafters to focus onlow end market now when profit margins have a ceiling

[Estellios]

It might be a server thing too. I make mid-level gear and I see quite a bit of it on my server. I've only ever seen 1 party shout this whole time advertising having a PL. Maybe you should try advertising you wouldn't be having a PL? I don't mind PLs but I know I would eagerly join a non-PL party.

Also it's a bit specific but there are like 3 gloves between 20-40 for THM that aren't dated. That might have caused your no-glove issue.

[kensredemption]

I carried my brother through his 20s because he's a full-time student and is triple boxing Runescape along with XIV. We have all the time to learn the mechanics of party combat before we get to the endgame content, so I figured I may as well help him since that way I'll have a guaranteed party member when I need them. I'm planning on doing the same thing when my friends join XIV. Of course, if someone's just deliberately taking advantage of a PL without repaying them in some way: That's when I have a problem with it.

[kensredemption]

totaly agree its hurting the econamy becuase nobody crafts and sells lowbie gear and the GC'S selling food dirt c heap for seals is a bad idea to cant find the food i want and nobody lvls cooking now

Why don't you just undercut the vendors if you're selling stuff in the city then? If you're going to drive up prices for people to buy stuff, at least sell those items where people are far away from the camps or cities. Call it cost of convenience.

[Aldarin]

Um, I'm really not sure how valid this thread is anymore. For those of us that have played the game after 1.19a, you will notice that people who are 10+ levels below the highest level in the party get ZERO experience points from the mob. I only noticed this when someone switched to a level 50 char during a stronghold party and I suddenly stopped gaining xp (I was 39). In addition, the only method left for powerleveling is similar to the ffxi version, though definitely easier. Higher level players can help a party out by healing or doing damage after a mob has been claimed (not just linked, claimed) so this really isn't as much of an issue as before. The other deal is that yes, equipment up to r20 is sold by vendors, and since upper level gear is nerfed on lower level characters, players will appropriate rank gear below 20, R20 till R30, and then usually dungeon gear after that(since they are easier to get now), or the company gear (which is 25+).
Thus
Powerleveling (harder to do, definently no way for people to simply sit and gain xp, not possible anymore.)
Gear Demand
1-20: Gear from vendor (levels go too quick to continually change gear).
20-30: R20 gear from vendor (equipment still doesn't matter all that much).
25+ or 30+ :unique equipment (better than any equipment until about R45)
40+ : buy gear

Thus the only gear in demand is 40+, all gear below that was used up by people buying gear to turn into materia.