Fuck yeah. Love hearing more of this news!

Sorry for the wall - In my opinion and experience, it certainly can be. And considering how flawless the action combat is, I think just the pure enjoyment from that is more worth it than people give credit for - at least giving it a chance. I originally played from 2013-2016 and then returned again from 2020-2022. The catch up was extremely easy (they handed out gear packages for the “base new content”, but I was already level 80 so the tedious leveling was already done)

When I came back, I had actually played some of the new characters as alts for fun, so I started from level 0 - then took them all to 70-80, and some 85-90. So I got a taste of how leveling was

This is also in the guide, but there is quite a lot you can do that adds up to help leveling go pretty damn quick. It’s very brainless and easy though, no challenge - so I understand how it could be difficult for anyone to go through that. Just a guess, I think it took me like 10 hours max to get to 80?

Since the RISE update, 0-60 (or 70 or 80?) became the new “tutorial”

I’m not sure I understand what you mean about undodgable damage sources all over the place. I don’t recall anything being super difficult except for Redeemers, which are already way more forgiving than mechs in Lost Ark. I had a lot of fun in and don’t particularly remember current raids being bullshit, except for the tiny ass hitbox bitches for my xgun Kai lol

edit: took out some rambling :)