I feel terrible for all the new ninjas who have to go through such a hair-tearingly stupid process to get their i90 gear.

The i90 gear was something that could be bought, and you don't have to roll for tomes. Now, not only do you have to compete against every other player rolling need on EVERY piece of antique gear(because they can), but you have to contend with a loot table apt to give you crafting mats 90% or more of the time.

It's beyond infuriating. Why make the i90 AF gear so freaking difficult? I've seen so few pieces of the antique gear in the dungeons I've run, I could probably gear my class 5-10 times over with soldiery pieces before I complete the i90 set.

Just put back a method to buy it, for everyone's sanity. It doesn't have to be the stupid-easy level that hunting introduced, but just let it be acquired through something that doesn't require you to sacrifice a goat to the random number god to get.