Current fixes to Forked Tower is not good enough

[Valence]

I understand the argument, but we've had Baldesion Arsenal fill this exact niche in Stormblood. It is impossible to do a pug Baldesion Arsenal run, so you need a premade group and more realistically a discord for callouts.
Genuinely asking, but why are people letting Baldesion Arsenal get a pass when Forked Tower is in the exact same spot? (minus the way you queue in the instance works)

Because people have short memories.
But as I said in another thread, Forked will probably become a beloved niche instance once groups can get inside and clear it regularly, much like BA stopped having all the entry requirement issues and snipe dramas once the content petered out.

Only difference I see though, is whether or not the actual gameplay and design inside proves worthy of a successor to BA, which isn't a guarantee.