Where is my level sync

[Sephr]

People talk up level sync, about how it "helped low level parties". However, at the same time, it all but killed high level parties. Most players, the majority, easily... never touched high level areas after they realized they could just sync their way to 75 in Qufim.

This happened for two reasons:
1) People who only cared about getting xp as fast and easily as possible, immediately took to it.
2) People who didn't want to do it, or at least not all the time, almost had no choice but to go along with it, 'cause putting together higher level parties became *extremely* difficult, even by XI standards.

I tried to "take the initiative" and form parties to go to other, more level-appropriate areas, because I got sick of looking at the same 2 or 3 places every single party... among other reasons. I could only occasionally get a group of people where everyone was interested, or at least open to the idea of leveling in different, more level appropriate areas... you know, like we used to. In most cases, at least 2-3 of the people insisted on level sync'ing in Qufim or some other low-level area, or they wouldn't join.

Level Sync was an example of SE having a good idea, and having their heart in the right place, but fumbling it on execution. I have no problem with a system that allows friends or siblings to play together when there are many levels between them. However, in XI, SE did not think or plan it through very thoroughly.

If they do implement level sync'ing, then I seriously hope there are more restrictions and limitations on how much or how quickly one can progress while sync'd, else we're just gonna see the same abuse happen here. SE needs to maintain some kind of benefit to leveling on higher tier, level-appropriate mobs, to keep people from turning some lower level area in XIV into another Qufim Island.

People are quick to argue that the low-end game shouldn't suffer as people progress. This is true. But by the same token, the high level game shouldn't become all but redundant at the expense of the low level game either.

On the other hand, if they'd balanced things so that rewards reflected effort more, it wouldn't have been such an issue. Capping xp at 300 or whatever no matter what you fought and what level it was really didn't make sense. If for example, they'd made xp per level increase more than it did, and increased the xp per mob (and had xp reflect more accurately than just level, some enemies were MUCH more challenging than others) as you levelled up in a similar way people would be less inclined to want to sync.

[Preypacer]

On the other hand, if they'd balanced things so that rewards reflected effort more, it wouldn't have been such an issue. Capping xp at 300 or whatever no matter what you fought and what level it was really didn't make sense. If for example, they'd made xp per level increase more than it did, and increased the xp per mob (and had xp reflect more accurately than just level, some enemies were MUCH more challenging than others) as you levelled up in a similar way people would be less inclined to want to sync.

Then perhaps that's something for them to keep in mind.

Of course, it still comes down to perspective.

If SE can find a way to keep content appealing at all ranges, and not let sync'ing turn into "faster and easier xp", making it the only thing people want to do... I'm all for it.

In principle, it sounds good... I have a sister who will be starting the game in a few months, probably. I'd like to be able to group up with her as well. In that capacity - what it's ostensibly intended for - it would certainly work.

I'd be fine with a sort of "sliding scale" SP system. For every, say 8-10 levels you are above the one you're sync'ing down to, the SP rate drops by a certain %. If people's *true* intent - as many have professed on this thread, and elsewhere - is to be able to group up with friends and family members who would otherwise be too far apart... Then that should not be a problem. You're still getting SP for your effort, and you're getting to do what - again, per many people's claims - you want to, which is hang out and do stuff with your friend/sibling.

Also, you're already higher level and so, for you to gain sp at a slower rate would allow your sibling to catch up to you that much more quickly since they're still gaining at normal rate.

I would see no problem with that.

However, I have a feeling many others would scoff at that, because "hanging out with friends and family members" is not their concern. Leveling as quickly and easily as possible is. Certainly, no one believes that the hundreds, even thousands, of people who planted themselves in Qufim and sync'd down for party after party were all either related or "best buddies". I don't think anyone's that naive.

I will not be surprised if someone says "Well in that case, the lower level should get sp faster so they can catch up more quickly...". No. That would then turn the system into a power-leveler's wet dream that would be abused to hell and back.

I'm not against sync'ing. I'm against it being abused and ruining the higher, and even mid-level game as it did in XI.

If/When SE decides to implement such a system, I just hope they take the time to "think like a player who's only looking for a faster/easer way to level while bypassing other content". They need to identify and close any loopholes or weaknesses in it that people would most certainly exploit or abuse.