Quote Originally Posted by ty_taurus View Post
Snip.
On paper, I don't really have any objections to this. I even applaud you or not arbitrarily including FATEs in the list, and only just Bicolor Gems. I will never understand the devs' insistence that FATEs from previous expansions be the option for obtaining certain items required for a later expansion's relics. A few of the Shadowbringers relic steps offer the option to do FATEs for said items, but only FATEs from Heavensward and Stormblood.

Meaning, if you choose this option, you'll be doing FATEs you not only have probably already done, that reward less exp for those looking to level as well, and that also neither reward bicolor gemstones NOR contribute to your Shared FATE levels for Shadowbringers. They may have done this in consideration to those who were not already at level 80 and thus could not easily participate in FATEs from higher level zones, but overall it feels like a fumble.

Overall, my belief is that the complexity of the activities offered during a grind matter more than JUST the overall time required to complete said grind. It's why Bozja still shines and is held in high regard. The activities there were varied, and your options to approach them were as well. Rewarding players for participating in whichever content THEY feel most engaged with while adding new avenues is important, and is a mark I feel the Manderville weapons failed to achieve, because they only prompted you to do content you were likely already going to do, and thus added nothing new for players to participate in.