Yup, as Landstander said, the Night Blades runs in learning groups all the time.
I have never pugged endgame content. Ever. And I've done everything (Except Ifrit Ex... what up Titan?) because my FC is just amazing at going in and teaching people. Currently, Natalie and Ellion are both setting up learning groups for the Extremes for anyone who's level 50 to go in and learn. Anyone. Our Coil groups are first come, first serve, anyone in the FC can sign up and will be taught. Each group goes once a week and it's a nice casual atmosphere.
Endgame is all about who you run with. If you don't have good friends, it can be extremely stressful. If you run with a good group, it's really really fun. I enjoy getting together with my raid group every week and talking while we're plugging away at Turns.
I know why SE focuses on Endgame, because it's so easy to level up it doesn't make much sense to put something in the beginning or in the middle. I know they are getting better - with dailies and Gardening. I have two level 50 - who are well geared - and a bunch of characters in the 20's. It's super easy to level, they gotta put something at the end to keep players there.
The only criticism I have for endgame is to put more casual endgame things up for the non-hardcore raidy types to do. Moggle Mog is a pretty good example, but he's getting a raidy Extreme mode. I think if they did that - added some casual endgame content - it would solve a lot of problems.
I have never pugged endgame content. Ever. And I've done everything (Except Ifrit Ex... what up Titan?) because my FC is just amazing at going in and teaching people. Currently, Natalie and Ellion are both setting up learning groups for the Extremes for anyone who's level 50 to go in and learn. Anyone. Our Coil groups are first come, first serve, anyone in the FC can sign up and will be taught. Each group goes once a week and it's a nice casual atmosphere.
Endgame is all about who you run with. If you don't have good friends, it can be extremely stressful. If you run with a good group, it's really really fun. I enjoy getting together with my raid group every week and talking while we're plugging away at Turns.
I know why SE focuses on Endgame, because it's so easy to level up it doesn't make much sense to put something in the beginning or in the middle. I know they are getting better - with dailies and Gardening. I have two level 50 - who are well geared - and a bunch of characters in the 20's. It's super easy to level, they gotta put something at the end to keep players there.
The only criticism I have for endgame is to put more casual endgame things up for the non-hardcore raidy types to do. Moggle Mog is a pretty good example, but he's getting a raidy Extreme mode. I think if they did that - added some casual endgame content - it would solve a lot of problems.