Quote Originally Posted by Nalien View Post
Like I said, the thing to work on and improve in this game isn't your item level, it's learning the mechanics of encounters. That's it. Like I also said, that's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does leave an itch thoroughly un-scratched for people who expect RPG elements in a MMORPG. People want a progression system in their RPGs, when you're basically fully geared by default? There's no progression there. You hit the level cap and the thing to work on isn't your equipment, it's learning a set of scripts for boss encounters. That's great for some people, bad for others.
I'm one of those player that likes the focus on player skill over gear. It is in my opinion and vastly more interesting form of progression. However FF14 is trying to pull in a wide audience so it has to have different types of content for different players. I don't mind that as long as they're kept separate.

A merit system to grind further stats for your leveled classes is not something that I'd like to see added to the game. It would just be another task you're forced to pursue rather than tackling your own goals. More customization could be interesting, but there is a better way to do it in materia. Expand that system the options and the influence we have within that system and I'd be fine with it. A grindy merit system is something that should be reserved for its own niche I think, like Eureka logos.