In most of my runs in BR, I usually only take the west path naturally because it's easier to gear up quickly and less difficulty with mobs. Stats aren't really that big of a deal unless you're going for boss, which u can easily pick up otw on 2nd floor, however u may not always get everything you need. Anyone who does this zone quite often will say that 1FW is much easier, but maybe the fact that it IS EASIER = less NM activation rate. Anyone ever think that the Rampart pop rate may be significantly higher for ramparts on future floors by taking the more difficult East path on the first floor?
Just my theory:
East path mobs seem to be more of a pain to move thru quickly enough without gear equips:
Carmine Eruca: Aoe directional breath, Cocoon Buff
Sulfur Scorps: Aoe directional breath w/ status effects, aoe centered stomps, death scissors (potential 1 shotter), no def penalty compared to Wamoura on 1FW
Troll Gemologists: PLD type, stoneskin + Def bonus
It is clearly the more difficult path compared to wamoura/campa and DRK trolls. Not only will you naturally move through the floors slower than normal, you will face at least 2 ramparts (1F if lucky on MB, and 2F Bees) where u will be completely naked, making plowing thru those pops slower than normal. Not to mention, when you start to farm for gear on 2F, the drops arent always that predictable, and the mobs are much more difficult fighting completely naked.
Now im not saying the pop rate will be 100% or anything, because everything thats been discovered about these ramparts, as much as I dont want to believe, lead us to believe that it is completely random, but maybe the activation rate is enhanced to something more reasonable by taking the more difficult path on 1F. Seems to be in line with the other salvage zones where the more difficult paths, you have access to the NMs with best gear. Could maybe be the intended design here.