Shell FCs are a bigger problem than we think...

[Besame]

I have a very small Rank 30 FC in a small house. It started with 4 and there are only 2 of us active atm because one stopped playing for a while and left the FC to me. I never intended to have a large FC, it is not my thing and am real picky about whom I fraternize within game. We do enjoy the FC perks and constantly run my subs for goodies. I keep it nicely decorated and enjoy sharing it with a select few like-minded people that I can trust and not be constantly pestered as I was with a larger crowd. I am here to play the game for me not cater constantly to the whims and demands of others. I intend to keep the small fc and small house. I do not need another FC. I have a medium house and an apt. So, this is how I roll, don't like it???, too bad for you cuz I am quite pleased

[ElysiumDragon]

There's a substantial difference between a smaller, less busy FC, and a blatantly obvious Shell FC. 3 major tells being a low FC Rank, characters at starting level or just above Level 50, and fewer than 5 FC members (usually 1, 2, or 3 members).

[Lachesia]

Of which shell FC's lack the major criteria needed to get FC housing. Including Rank. Time. And numbers. "Shell" FC's don't benefit from much since they often don't meet the requirements to get the housing.

[Arazehl]

Again I'm all for the 4 member minimum, but for a small plot/FC. I think the bigger the plot the higher the (active) member requirement for FC housing should be. All the graphs, charts and even the Lodestone do not take into consideration that the majority of members in any one given FC is inactive. This needs to change as well and only should active accounts be counted on an FC's roster. Accounts showing an absence of six months or more should not be taken into consideration as belonging to any one FC, when all it is, is a lie

SE gives us tools to maintain an FC and recruit, such as The Community Finder, Party Finder, communication channels and there is Discord. Of course all the shell FC's aren't going to bother with recruiting because there so little requirements that needs to be met. They just want a home with the amenities and privileges an FC has, which should only be exclusive to actual FC's. I feel these fake FC's should loose the privilege to hold their current FC housing if such requirement are not met within an allotted period and give meaning and purpose back to running an FC. Today FC's actual purpose becomes less and less in FFXIV, especially when it comes to housing. Many have found a way to use this title to their advantage base on so little required and all we can do is sit back and watch.