I’m a very average player, but I do love playing. I’ve managed to level all classes and most weapons to max. But I don’t always enjoy the high stress of ruthless (I can’t even do lethal), but I do it for the armory data. Meanwhile, for fun, I play a lot of average or substantial difficulty. But then it seems unrewarded, as I don’t really need exp or currency and I’ve been maxed out on green data for months. 

So the idea is to allow an exchange rate of armory data. For example, you could trade in 10 green for 1 purple, and 5 purple for 1 gold. (Numbers negotiable).  This would allow a purpose for lower level data’s collected, and make it easier, but much longer, for less skilled players to obtain gold data to unlock new weapons. 

With my example, it would take 5-10 average OPs plus 3-5 substantial OPs to get one gold data. So if someone dislikes or is unable to do higher difficulty,  but they enjoy grinding lower levels, they can still profit. Doesn’t seem like it’d harm anyone, while giving other players more options. 

A agree, the power fantasy very much exists in the lower difficulty... as long as you have relic weapons. Some people don't want to play the higher difficulties but you have to to get the best gear.

+1 Agree!

I typically live in Average or Substantial and only jump up to Ruthless when I need a Gold Data Point. This would be a great option for the more casual player to progress.

Thanks for all the support so far on this, and for forwarding to the devs. And thanks to “shining darkness” for articulating something I couldn’t, which is the power fantasy aspect of playing in low-mid tiers.