Solutions to the main scenario problem

[ForteNightshade]

Call me jaded or whatever, but I see it as sort of a filter.

Except the general skill or lack thereof proves jump potions accomplish little when it comes to filtering out players. The issue is, indeed, ARR. Not only is it saturated with far too many fetch quests, many of the jobs aren't remotely complete at those early levels. So stuck with only a handful of abilities while killing rats. That's what turns away a lot of people.

As for not appreciating the story focus. If I may be blunt. Who cares? Some of the best players in this game couldn't tell you half the Scion's names. They play for different reasons.

"Remove" things isn't the right way, because all the work and effort behind things you want to remove will go to waste.

I'd better "move" to sidequests some parts that won't add to the main story but still in MSQ line anyway, if I want shorten the path.

To be fair, the dev team already said if/when they ever condense ARR, this is the route they aim to take.