Currently such adjustments are being made through Abyssean gear and Atmas, so there's really no point in boosting base stats other than to break the game.

While I do understand where you and many other posters are coming from (the base stat upgrades from level to level are miniscule and it would be nice to have some sort of "natural" strength), you also have to keep in mind that this game is entirely based around equipment being that it's an Everquest-style MMO, and the most popular way of that time (and even today) to show late-game/post-grind progression is through equipment.