New NMs and Class Specific Gear

[Kiara]

Well I more or less just wanted to understand the reasoning behind it. And I already got that from others. But I'm going to play a little devil's advocate for funsies, and also because my experience seems different from yours.

I used Ash Macuahuitl until rank 29 glad when I picked up Iron Dagger. Now why did I do this when there were much stronger weapons available and for cheap too? Cause my attack penalty was as high as -14 attack for iron dagger at rank 25, and it was still -4 attack at rank 28. To me that's not artificially handicapping myself. Is that enough of a penalty? Well it was for me, but I suppose others don't really look at the numbers that closely. I always thought it'd just be better to increase the penalty.

As far as striving for goals, yeah I understand some people need the requirements to feel like they are working towards a goal, I get it. I just never felt that way. Maybe I'm just the odd-man out on this. I still feel like rank requirements as goals are probably more artificial than creating goals for yourself. You've just got someone making the decision for you in that case. And I suppose that's fine if that's what's needed. And I realize I'm in the minority here. I just would've liked to see an alternate solution to this.

Hi Orophen,

You (and a few others) are definitely more astute than far too many players, unfortunately. There are definitely plenty of people who aren't paying attention to Stat Penalties when they're using some Equipment 30 Ranks below the Optimal Rank. If they can equip it, their reasoning is "it must be better, it's Rank 50!!!" or something like that.

You wonder about why Class Restricted / Rank Restricted Gear is good? It may seem artificial on one level, but here's one way of thinking about it:

Imagine you're a fledgeling rookie, just learning about Archery (i.e., Rank 1 - 10). Picking up the massive, finely-tuned, heavy resistance Crab Bow +3 (Rank 47 Weapon) and just happily using it and firing away at enemies seems a bit ridiculous, right? It'd take many battles / months / years to become a master Archer and properly wield that top rank weapon.

Same for if you're a beginner "soldier" learning about Swords and Shields (i.e., Gladiator Rank 1 - 10, let's say). You're just learning about things in the world and building up your strength and constitution, learning to bear the weight of an extra 40 POUNDS of Leather and Metal on your body (let's say a beginning piece of armor); you're struggling but getting used to it. Expecting that rookie to just go out and don a massive suit of Full Plate Iron Cuirass Armor (Rank 48) (say, 200+ pounds of extra Metal on you) and moving around and fighting like nothing's wrong, is just unrealistic, don't you think?

Sure, there are Stat Penalties, but far too many people don't pay attention to the penalties (or ignore them) as can be seen right now in game, with low level players using weapons and armor 30 ranks above them.

It's a goal to work towards as others have said.

I remember the first time I saw a White Mage in Full Artifact Armor in FF XI. They stood out immediately in town and it was something I aspired to work towards. It was impressive and a goal for me.

Another part of it is feeling like you've earned something that not everyone can get on Day 1 (or Rank 1). Sure it's a bit "elitist" may be, but you earn it. Getting to Rank 50, or being a Pugilist at a certain Rank, etc., is something you want to aspire towards.

Some people don't need that motivation to be "motivated" to play the game. That's true. But many people do; and it's a nice thing to have.

And lastly, as one poster said, Low Level to Mid Level Armor and Weapons would start to actually be in demand (and help crafters who make those items).