Some of the RNG is nuts...we need to get rid of it

[sharknado]

You still need to meld generally though, correct? I dislike the melding system as a whole, and even if it's not required, I imagine there is a lot of shaming in current tier raiding if people don't have melded materia slots.

1-2 slots that are 100% to meld and the materia is everywhere. Materia slots allow for some stats customization. The gear we get is job type specific so best stats can vary between jobs... although it can also be a problem - when Warrior doesn't share melds with other tanks so all those pentamelders have a problem.