Friends are the biggest reason, if they leave I'll probably leave too. Focusing on what the game itself offers, it's less grindy then some other games I've played and their is enough challenge in high level content to make it interesting.

Quote Originally Posted by Crasherino View Post
my gripe with the entirety of the PvE in this game is that for the most part, once you've experienced it once, it's virtually the same thing on repeat without fail.
Boss mechanics work off patterns that go on repeat, so once you remember that there's not much challenge even in the hardest content (providing you can find a group to pre-made with that doesn't have the memory of a goldfish), there's no real reaction mechanics and stuff that really tests a players skill, not unless you count "remembering" as skill.
I feel the same way. I think content could be more engaging if it was built around being more dynamic, but that's not the path the devs want to take. The scripted fight nature does allow for competition though, so if you're into trying to beat your personal best or competing with other players you can look into that. There is also a little bit of unpredictability in running with random groups or trying classes you don't know very well. I've had fun running Alliance Raids and EX trials on classes I'm less proficient at. Even if I know the general flow of an encounter, I don't know exactly how an off class's rotation lines up so I end up having to improvise a bit.