You guys aren't contradicting most of what I said because I don't disagree with most of what you're saying. It's a no-brainer that a level 95 with 100aas isn't going to be even close to one with 2000aa's. Did I ever dispute that? My point if I have the opportunity to get to 95 "quick" and then work on AA's, I'd rather do that than be "stuck" at 75 or 80 or 85 with 2000aas. Bear in mind it's always a lot easier to find a group at 90-95 than at 75-85. Stick at 75 for months while you pile up those AAs and unless you play with regulars with a similar mindset, or you're in a guild which plans to stay at those levels, you're going to find everyone you group with passing you by. That's damn discouraging too...
You guys also focus heavily on melee. I agree melee is gonna suffer for lack of AAs. For casters it isn't nearly as bad. My mage "carried his own weight" perfectly well in those missions. I had spent his 400aas carefully, mainly on dps, and I know he was carrying his own weight because he would get aggro from time to time. I analyzed dps results afterwards and his dps was respectable, even compared to my 4000aa wizard, and he had a pet contributing as well.
Assuming you're 95, if you're forming a pick up group, what woud you prefer a 95/400aa wizard, or a 80/4000aa wizard? Same with cleric. These are no-brainer decisions for me. Yeah AA's come slower at higher levels. Nobody's arguing that. But they DO come and frankly the return on AAs is a declining curve as well. Get to 1500-2000 aa's and you're fine. Everything after that, sure it makes you more and more "ubah" but we're not talking HUGE jumps in ability after that. SIGNIFICANT improvements, for sure, but it's very gradual and at whatever level you are once you pass 2000AAs you're going to work for them, unless you're taking advantage of an overly generous source of AAs, like those HoT missions I mentioned. My point was if you're high level and under-AA'd keep an eye out for those kinds of deals. I think Sony does this intentionally from time to time to give people a shot at "catching up."
Edited, Apr 24th 2012 9:00am by Sippin
____________________________
Sippin 115 DRU **** Firiona Vie ****Agnarr
FV: 115 WAR ENC CLE MAG WIZ SHD SHM Master Alchemist ROG Master Tinkerer & Poison-Maker
Master Artisan (300+) * Baker * Brewer * Fletcher * Jeweler * Potter * Researcher * Smith * Tailor
Agnarr: 65 DRU ENC SHD MAG CLE ROG WIZ BRD WAR