I can't seem to understand why they couldn't have just had at least some staff... They've historically had problems every single time they pulled this off at the end of the year.
they do have some staff available, just not ones that can really do the major changes required, and honestly nobody should be forced to work the holidays, while it does leave us in a bit of a pickle i think it's a wonderful thing that nexon gives their employees a well deserved rest during the holidays to spend with family and friends.
5th job isn't meant to be streamlined. It's endgame content that has been intentionally set up to take you a LONG time to max out, if the job advancement alone didn't make it obvious, they want to make 5th job last a very, VERY long time.
i was thinking maybe it'd be a good idea for the monster collection boxes from the arcane river to have a chance at giving node stones as well, maybe 5 from the red boxes and (if you somehow manage to get lucid) a chance at 10 from the black box. Emphasis on a chance, not a guarantee.