A lot of stuff had caps. you needed good lvl 30 gear and 50 gear to help people get though COP missions. getting access to Sea/Sky was a major accomplishment.

Farming for currency for your Relic and farming the rare items drops with a committed group over a couple of years was a major accomplishment.

Watching someone obtain an item they had worked years to get was also a great feeling. It improved your groups ability to fight HNMS efficiently and it made you part of something.

You needed gear for several different situations and fights. It also added something different to the game because there were MANY different play styles................................