I went into it first time knowing it was going to end up a speed run, skipped all the scenes (I'm not so invested that I need to see it all happen as it happens), etc, but it still was a bit hectic for me. The biggest problem, or two I guess, being the magitek bit (first time through, wasn't clear how/where to get that going, so I fall behind), and all the elevator-y warp whatevers (first time, no idea where I'm meant to be going).

Funny bit was everyone stopping before a boss (might've been final, can't remember), asking the Bard to pull, without realizing the Bard (me) wasn't anywhere near them.

Personally, I'm tempted to at least make a PF for learning the run myself, so I can either contribute or guide as needed. But that's what it's down to. You either know it and burn it, or you don't know and just get dragged along.

Isn't part of the problem that they're not iLvl synced? Changing that small thing right there would probably go a long way towards changing how they're treated. As long as end-game players get to use gear twice as powerful as during introduction, they've got no reason to hold back.

Of course, the bigger issue with "balancing" them at all is you run the risk of nobody ever wanting to bother even with the roulette. Tweaking it to a solo run would probably be the most ideal solution. But maybe that's too big an ask.