Quote Originally Posted by Gilthas View Post
The issue you claim that only vertical progression has exists all the same for horizontal progression. Likewise, the solution that you're presenting as to why the problem doesn't apply to horizontal progression (gear scaling with your character) can be applied to games with a vertical progression too.
It can apply to vertical as you say but not in the same way.

In horizontal the one gear scales vertically as you get stronger.

In vertical the whole progressions is get a gear, new gear comes out replace it, rinse and repeat.
If they scaled the vertical gear it wouldn't scale as you get stronger due to above, it has to be replaced. And if they didn't replace the gear then it is no longer vertical but horizontal.