You’re unreasonable because your *****ing about gear you don’t even need.
If you’re not in the mood to get the cape then your not doing content that needs… well any gear really so whatever you can equip should suffice for the most basic of content that you’re doing.
Second, this topic is about the entirely optional grind after your cape is max level. You’re the one trying to change the topic to be about your own personal issues.
And yes, essences are optional. Most content can be cleared without any essences or default yellow/blue fireball. It’s only higher end content (like heroic raids or mythic 10+) that actually need essences and even then you only need BiS essences if you’re a mythic raider, high end pvper or pushing high m+… which, if you’re not bothering to get the cape, you’re clearly not doing.