Throw awat the iLv system, implement a PvE Rank system.

[Defmetal]

It locks players out of content that their gear is inadequate for (read: even if they do play well, they won't be able to pull their weight), doing everyone else attempting that content a HUGE favor.

Yes and with that, people can also just buy the gear they need. You can buy full ilvl 70 for like 500k (which you should have around 150k by the time you hit 50) and unlock all content. Or you can buy a few ilvl 70, do a couple dungeons, do your relic, and then suddenly you can do all content.