Keyword: grind
I think opting out of grinding and opting into fun is something that people looking to play a game would want to do. But, here is a system that is trying to force you into grinding in order to have fun in the content that you do want to do.
That’s poor game design.
That’s making an assumption that people don’t find the grind fun. Evidence of this? I’m not saying you can’t have the opinion that it isn’t, but surely you can’t make that blanket statement for everyone.
People don’t typically refer to something that is fun for them as a grind. However, masochism is a thing.
Here is the definition of grind from a dictionary: hard dull work.
Evidence of that? The grind gives them rewards to feel more powerful. I’m sure many people enjoy it.
But, earlier you said you didn’t pvp for gear or status. I’m confused now. 
I personally disagree with granting gear for higher rating, it’s ridiculous to grant further advantages to the better players in any competitive setting.
That being said it’s looking like the rated scene is very active this season compared to prior expansions.
As a competitive person, climbing rating is more fun than beating lesser skilled players in random bgs. If I wanted to do that, I’d play a different game.
Now I’m confused.
Wayyyy more fun. 100% agree.
Gearing through PVP is more important for PvE progression than it has been in the past. Gear intake from PvE only is heavily nerfed compared to BFA, for example.
You can get the same gear in rated BGs… as you can get in Arena. Find yourself a team… you’re comparing rated pvp to casual pvp.
And? as a result we have more competition in rated. Legion during daytime hours and late night hours there were only a couple of rbgs running. One win at 1500 mmr would spike you up to 1900 mmr.
I’ll never stop cringing at people differentiating “rated” from “casual”.
There is nothing non-casual about rated pvp.
Just stating one of the reasons why participation is higher ATM.
Lul, what?
Try reading it slower if you’re struggling to understand.
raids and M+ aren’t dropping any loot, so pvp is full of pvers farming temp ilvl.
Did you not just read the other poster who mentioned the same thing? It still increased rated participation.
but not in a healthy way.
Just because you are a casual doesn’t mean rated PvP is casual…