Whats exactly the point of this thread when odd numbered patches exist to let new players catch up? Raiding will always be the fastest way of reaching the max ilevel for the update, but 3 months later after the raid release the odd numbered patch comes up so new players can gear up for the next tier of raiding.
Imagine 3.4 coming out and every single new player being i230 or having to blow millions on the new crafting sets, which will most likely not even come out on 3.4 but on 3.45.