On my Server the FC wards in Ishgard are practically at most 20-30% filled. And it's not just large houses, obviously all the small plots are left open as well...
They should maybe reserve a handfull of wards for future use, but 80+% of the remaining ones should just become FFA now that the FCs had their chance to grab a house.
I've been thinking lately if I should just hijack a dead FC and buy myself a plot that way..
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I think SMN is extremely popular right now. I've practically always have at least 1 in any group.