The Problem with ARR Progression

[Vidu]

Since both of the HMs are in trials roulette and are extremly quick and easy now (I've seen Garuda die in about 2 minutes more often than I wished to, but hey, easy exp/tomes, I guess) I dont really see what the problem with those two duties is? Why would anyone quit the game about having to do two additional HMs, easy ones like Ifrit and Garuda even...

The only thing that isnt optimal is probably the timing within the storytelling, I'll give you that - unless I missremember Titan HM is required in the MSQ for the whole deal with Ga-Bu, right? So I could see why its a bummer to be hold up at that point and having to do two unrelated fights to continue your storyline, but the same could be (and has been) said about ilvls for certain story-duties (and we really dont want to do away with those, please). So I dont see why this would be a huge quitting-the-game-over deal.
It could probably be smoothed a bit, by making Garuda and Ifrit not a requirement for Titan HM or by simply having both quests (the orignal one and the Ga-Bu one) unlock the trial, but it really seems like more of a minor issue to me. But I'll admit I havent tried queueing for either of them directly lately...

[HyperiusUltima]

Since both of the HMs are in trials roulette and are extremly quick and easy now (I've seen Garuda die in about 2 minutes more often than I wished to, but hey, easy exp/tomes, I guess) I dont really see what the problem with those two duties is? Why would anyone quit the game about having to do two additional HMs, easy ones like Ifrit and Garuda even...

The only thing that isnt optimal is probably the timing within the storytelling, I'll give you that - unless I missremember Titan HM is required in the MSQ for the whole deal with Ga-Bu, right? So I could see why its a bummer to be hold up at that point and having to do two unrelated fights to continue your storyline, but the same could be (and has been) said about ilvls for certain story-duties (and we really dont want to do away with those, please). So I dont see why this would be a huge quitting-the-game-over deal.
It could probably be smoothed a bit, by making Garuda and Ifrit not a requirement for Titan HM or by simply having both quests (the orignal one and the Ga-Bu one) unlock the trial, but it really seems like more of a minor issue to me. But I'll admit I havent tried queueing for either of them directly lately...

I see your point about them being quick and easy, but to be honest I actually just recently went into Ifrit HM on my Alt and BOY. Peeps died to Nails because they thought you could just burn him when you sync down! XD

But yeah, the main selling point of this argument is that it disrupts the story flow greatly(even if it is an arbitrary nuisance that pops up later) since we're just coming back from knocking some sense into Ysayle/Saint Shiva and finishing up with meeting Moenbryda for the first time in our lives. As for the deal with Ga-Bu, yes. Titan HM was thrown into Heavensward 3.4 for that story about the kobold that threw a Baby Rage for all I know, but it just feels really redundant that it can kill a person's focus for story since it actually starts getting good around Dreams of Ice towards the end of ARR.