An issue I think people don't notice

[Youkulm]

@OP Im sorry but this is not a problem...

Crafting, Hunts ( which you can start at level 51 I believe.. meaning seals could have been collected starting /way/ before level 60 and they'd have a full set in their hot little hands before that ), A Few Dungeons, Bing Bang Boom.. Done...

The gear grind is not nearly as bad as it was before. There has been a lot of things put into place to help with that struggle ( mainly the crafted gear ). Let's also not forget how easy it is to get gear from Alex as well.

You have to do content to gear up, i fail to see the issue if they plan on doing content and playing anyhow. If they plan on playing the game they'll have to unlock a lot of these things anyway...

Why just throw free gear at them and then elimnate the need to do anything at all ( Dungeons, Raids, PotD, Story, Crafting, Gathering... ) Do they even want to play the game or do they want to skip ahead to AFKing around in town because they have nothing to do? This is an MMORPG the long run game & progression is kind of part of the deal.

As for the dungeon... I have no problem with lvl 50 roulette being unlocked, but 60 shouldn't be until 4.0 when gear will all be synced. Level 60 is still relevent content. Maybe if your buddy had done these dungeons to begin with gear wouldn't be an issue for them. Let's also remember the gear that drops in dungeons ( mainly speaking about 60 now ) just isn't for glamour, it's also catch up gear.

Again this is an MMORPG. Instant gratification usually isn't part of the deal...

Need an easy to obtain weapon? PotD, Relic, Hunts ( again I know... ), Crafted. None of those are that difficult to obtain while you save for a Shire weapon.