Receiving two throughput traits compared to a singular one + a passive + a defensive without losing any noticeable primary stat is a downgrade? Are you sure you want to stand by that claim?
Its a pacing thing, and its obviously not working. Thatās why they are removing it before the subsequent tier/8.2 starts.
The idea is that you should have unlocked what, 32 traits (or whatever it is? Been so long I canāt remember) at some point during the middle or end of the tier, but then the next tier youād start again, and while you are waiting, that time you were ahead from the previous tier youād have a head start.
For example, I can already unlock the entire 385 spread from the helm from Jaina, even though its much higher than I needed for my current helm.
Its a stupid idea though, and was never going to be received favorably.
Its the first time they ever tried this, so the best way to look at it is they at least understood it was a failure before the second half of the expansion.
Regardless of it being stupid, you should still be gaining AP at such an alarming rate that you should have nothing but the +5 ilvl ring left by the time the raid opens and you get the gear.
If not, then you have a goal, and that is the point of the system, whatever its faults are.
But didnt they remove the AP weekly catch-up gains until 8.1.5? AP gains now have slowed to a trickle.
Yeah, Rift did similar. Iām not a huge fan of it, but itās still better than traits in gear that goes away. Iām more of a fan of Old Republicās talent system. Itās similar to what we have, but more freedom, interesting things to choose from, more choices, and a pathing visual that makes you feel like youāre going somewhere.
They stopped the catch up, but basically doubled if not tripled the amount of azerite you can gain in the game from the patch, so its basically not any slower.
As you are posting on a level 74, I canāt be sure what neck level you are at, but I still get about a level a week with very minimal investment. Just the island weekly, and the emissaries every three days.
Like I said previously losing the +5 ilvl bonus, defensive, and a passive is most likely a downgrade. And yes you are losing primary stats.
Rift is more linear. Iām thinking more open free form.