Honestly I couldn't care less about this whole materia system if there isn't a noticeable difference with socketed items in actual combat.

I'm not going to skill up weapons to get better stats from the resulting materia if the only thing it does is adjust some numbers in the status menu.

This whole thing better not be a "barbie doll set" Do-Over! (And by barbie doll sets I'm referring to the 400 faction sets that only allowed you to play dress up with your character)