Hmmm, I think a 'gimp' is someone crusing around in an XP party with thier starting race gear at level 30 as a Tank
Honestly, I think it's all a matter of perspective. Subjobs I think you should have close to (5 levels max low) up till level 37. After that I find little to no excuses. I can't say that if a player is leveling a job up to 37 for a sub of another job. That they are just seeking out one thing. I think people who say because of thier job (in one case, PLD) say they don't need to be up to date (ie: skip an armor upgrade completely), since they were a PLD they could always get Invites... (That burned me up to no end, since I myself am a main PLD). It wasn't the fact of the armor, it was more the fact of the attitude that came with the comment.
As For the SH for thief's... I think having one is cool, but if you don't, your not gimped. A person who is gimped would be like, someone who refuses (it's not that they don't know, they just don't care to know) to play thier job right. That's basicly player mentality/ability.
If a Thief came up to me and asked to get an invite, and wasn't useing a SH, and didn't have certain 'key' items, IE: Leeping/Winged Boots, Emp hairpen, etc... and we had a Ninja Tank, I would invite him... Since yes, he is a DD, however it's also their to dump hate. Personaly I skill up Marksmenship, which helps me 'a lot' with TP gain. Granted, I don't have an SH, but why would I need one if I can keep up to the other melee's? Am I gimped because of that? I don't think so. Every Party is different, and each player has thier own play style. If a person wants to try something out, like an unheard of subjob combo, cool, as long as you can pull it off ^^ But I would like the consideration that if you can't pull it off, you can switch to a different sub.
Also, from the two years this game has been out, the mentality of 'new and exciting' has dwindled down to the more "I have more Gil!"
I just don't see how having a straight set of equipment, would label someone as "Gimped". If a person had NQ equip for thier level, and could maintain their role just as well, then I don't see a reason for labeling them anything except a "player" unless attitude would determine otherwise (but that usualy just describes them as jerks).
I've seen topics on this site saying "*&#^# JAPS" or something to that effect. My personal thought to this is that they had the best mentality in this game that a community could have (at least in the beginning). Prices were fair, and were stable for a while (never really fluxuated till the PS2 Release). The Japanese players were all very helpful with providing what information they could with the limitations to the translater, and those that could speak english would always lend a hand to those of us just starting up with tips on leveling, armor, and food. Hardly anyone had the 'best of the best' gear, and no one really cared because we were all having fun. It was when people stoped enjoying themselves, and wanted 'high numbers' that it all became more apparent. Today, you rarely see a Ninja/Ranger, where as back then, it was common. Just about everyone now expects things of people regardless of thier play style.
To sum everything up... I think the word 'gimp' is best discribed as players who are unwilling to try, or too close minded to let some type of variaty come into play. Yes armor plays a part, but again, you don't need the top of the line stuff to do your job just as well as the person that has 25mil to dump into a job. You are only as good as your willingness to play your job to the best you can possibly do, with the time/finances you have (even if you fall short sometimes). If your unwilling to make the "effort" to do that... then yes... you are probably a gimp. It's a game, and if everyone is having fun, then who's really gimped?
Take Care, and Safe Journeys~
Ean
