Quote Originally Posted by Yves View Post
Here's the thing, and keep in mind that I very much agree with you: this is a horrible. I usually avoid pickups and unknowns because, well, they suck buttocks. But we really can't do this for much longer. It worked for us because the whole game consisted of veterans. But when we do this it closes off the server. How can newer players or returning players get "in" when we're cockblocking them from our groups? Sure, maybe they can get experience (and fail repeatedly) and by sheer chance bump into a shell or group through randomness and maybe get "in" but that isn't likely. What is likely is that these cockblocked players get pissed, quit, and we're back to what we have now.
To be completely honest here. In Final Fantasy XI I did a majority of the storyline/content with pick up groups. I had a lot of fun with it and I have NEVER had as bad of an experience there as I do here with them. I'm not sure if it's the quality of the average player here is lower or not but it's really frustrating.

I've partied with level 50 white mages in pick ups that don't even understand what raise or cleric stance is. Some of these people refuse to learn, so generally I avoid them as much as possible. Not saying everyone is like that, as i'm sure some fairly skilled people exist but I seriously hope in 2.0 the experience will be better.