I think the ability to gatekeep current content above the minimum required item level (IL) in party finder (PF) does more harm for the game than good. I understand it for unsync farming old content and announcements, but for current content it encourages toxic, potentially self-destructive choices.
First, I've used PF for current ultimate where the minimum IL is the maximum IL, and I have not felt a considerable difference in their prog ability compared to other content where IL can more easily be used as a limiting factor. Second, IL restrictions don't play nice with the game's own random rolls for gear. For the first few weeks of savage, it is more than possible to get unlucky and just not have the extra IL that some groups start using to gatekeep. A toggle for already clearing the fight is sufficient, and if they really do want an additional meaningful slider, the incorporation of Stone, Sky, Sea would be a better indicator of someone's competence than how well they rolled on loot last week. Finally, the ability to restrict IL allows people to effectively lock players out of less difficult high-end content (such as EX trials that come out after the current patch's savage tier or the new chaotic alliance raid) by requiring those players to have completed more difficult content first, forcing a nonsensical entry point into high-end content.
tl;dr The ability to restrict the IL of current content beyond the min IL in PF hurts new and unlucky high-end players without adding much if any benefit to the people doing it.
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First, I've used PF for current ultimate where the minimum IL is the maximum IL, and I have not felt a considerable difference in their prog ability compared to other content where IL can more easily be used as a limiting factor. Second, IL restrictions don't play nice with the game's own random rolls for gear. For the first few weeks of savage, it is more than possible to get unlucky and just not have the extra IL that some groups start using to gatekeep. A toggle for already clearing the fight is sufficient, and if they really do want an additional meaningful slider, the incorporation of Stone, Sky, Sea would be a better indicator of someone's competence than how well they rolled on loot last week. Finally, the ability to restrict IL allows people to effectively lock players out of less difficult high-end content (such as EX trials that come out after the current patch's savage tier or the new chaotic alliance raid) by requiring those players to have completed more difficult content first, forcing a nonsensical entry point into high-end content.
tl;dr The ability to restrict the IL of current content beyond the min IL in PF hurts new and unlucky high-end players without adding much if any benefit to the people doing it.
Continue reading...