Quote Originally Posted by Aidorouge View Post
Q-syncing is a thing though, and certain PVP groups thrive on it by getting an 8-man stack into one team.
Q-Syncing is a thing, yes. But it only attempts to put a group of regulars in the same match - they have zero control over whether they're put together or vs each other and, quite frankly, they don't care which it is. They just like competing with or against friends, not only because it can initiate some healthy competition between each other but also in the hope that it makes games a bit more interesting when there's more regular players involved, rather than the ridiculously slow and mind-numbing games that you get with full rouletter teams. It would be exceptionally egotistical to think that they only play to make your game a misery - they play often because they enjoy it, they play well because they play often, they gain BH quickly because they play well, and now they don't lose that BH there is more value to an aggressive playstyle.

Quote Originally Posted by Aidorouge View Post
And sabotage isn't out of the question either, given the number of commanders I've seen who actively lead their team into defeat and then have a good laugh about it.
All of this is entirely in your own head. The whole world is not out to get you as you seem to believe. No commander will actively seek to lead their team to a defeat. Does having a commander mean a guaranteed win? No, but their decisions will have been made with the intent to win and (usually) will have been made with far better thought and awareness than the 'focus objectives' crowd would ever want to admit to

Quote Originally Posted by Aidorouge View Post
Exactly, there's nothing I can do about being put against or on teams with premades, I win or lose based on which team had the better stack and nothing more. I could bust my ass or AFK and the outcome will still be the same.
There is something you can do: practice and improve. The more players who try to do this, the more that gap between regulars and casuals will narrow and the harder time the regulars will have.

Look for tips or advice, try to be more aware of your surroundings. If you're teamed with a group of these regulars, see how they approach things. Be mindful of what's going on beyond the next objective: is there an opportunity to flank your enemies meanwhile you're wasting it just licking ice? If there's a troublesome player on the enemy team, try to counter them: MNK is probably one of the best classes to challenge an enemy player as it's not something that can be avoided without cover, but even just knowing when to apply cc or knockbacks as whatever class you play can help.

Quote Originally Posted by Aidorouge View Post
I'll fail regardless of trying though, no amount of effort will change that, and my contribution however much or little will never matter. 20 kills or 20 deaths, same difference, and after years of putting up with the mode getting worse ever since Dawntrail launch I'm done caring. It can be second monitor content while I do/watch something else, and I understand now why so many others give up and stop trying too.
Everyone seems to default to the 'no-one else will bother and as much as I try, I can't manage it alone, so I might as well not bother either'. All expecting someone else to make the first step. You and anyone can make that first step. Sure, nothing is going to change overnight and it can feel like a losing battle. I know as it was the same way I felt when I started FLs - annoyed with premades who I felt were clearly ruining the game, trying to get my achievements only to get endless spams of losses. How things have changed now... all from the decision to try to learn how to oppose them, rather than just give up