I always thought it was bizarre that these items weren't in XI.. I mean, for years and years the game sat in a state of such inflated economy that actually being able to afford most potions was nigh impossible as it was - so it's not like Phoenix Downs would have ever been abused.. (Surely they would have been expensive to create, moreso than the average potion..) Even now in XI where the economy is more normalized and potions and such drop from chests regularly - indicating it's not as much of a concern anymore for these things to be abused - we still don't have them in XI..

I'd love to see that change in XIV though.. Make it difficult to craft if necessary, but make it happen! Not sure I agree with the idea of beating up Phoenix NM(s) though.. Phoenix should remain a summon, not a farmable creature that exists almost purely to produce potions.. But there are plenty of ways to setup a recipe for it without the direct need of a Phoenix. (Enchanted Bottled Flame + Pure White Feather + Revival Root, as a raw example.. I always thought it was odd given the description of Revival Root in XI, that it never played a part in crafting Phoenix Downs..)