Lack of End Game Content

[Avraym]

The weapon in UCoB was only better than the one from O4S by one materia meld. Other than that, it was the same stats—you could just put 3 materia in it. Hardly a noticeable difference. That said, the UCoB weapon was made irrelevant with Sigmascape; the UwU one with Alphascape. The weapons are vanity—they do not provide any inherent advantage. They are entirely prestige.

Raiders do love a challenge. Ultimate is always a challenge. And do you honestly think that raiders stopped doing the Ultimate raids after the weapons were no longer relevant? That is objectively false. They are still participating in them even now after Shadowbringers launch. I have a friend who has been in UCoB since clearing the MSQ. The weapons being irrelevant have no impact on raiders doing this content.

And you've just prooved it right there.

UCoB was only better than the one from O4S by one materia meld, like you said.

How many players do you think participated in O4S vs UCoB.

I guarantee you, FAR more participated and cleared O4S.

Why? The reward was more or less the same but far easier to obtain.

The reward matters.