To compare with SEs own game, FFXI really have the best gear system in mmo imo. See how desirable a lv50ish scorpions harness +1 and haubergeon+1 is at end game. People did work hard for it and felt well paid off. And yet drops from sky and such still very relevant due to special bonus such as run speed boost on crimson legging and auto refresh on rdm af2 hat and such and those gear last good couple years vs couple month :x . This provide a great varity of min/max in gear combo and really give player option how they like to play their game instead of being forced into a one way track. Hack even wow always have some fancy lower tier trinket out perform higher tier ones.