Why vertical progression is poorly implemented

[Ashkendor]

From the perspective of a new player, they jump from item level 50-ish to item level 120 in the blink of an eye. That's a whopping +70 levels worth of strength. There's no real stop-gaps for them. Sure they could spend the time and farm Philosophy or Relic gear, but why bother when the selfsame dungeons they drop in earn them poetics tomes to buy far superior equipment?

Since you're talking about new players here, I feel like I should point out that the class quests at level 45 and 50 now give out the i90 Philosophy gear in addition to the i50/55 Artifact gear. I believe the MSQ also gives you an i90 weapon (the ones from Primal Focus) and possibly an i110 weapon. As you progress through Heavensward, if you do the MSQ and all of your side quests you can also get entire sets of HQ crafted gear items starting at item level 115 and going all the way to item level 145.

[Duuude007]

Since you're talking about new players here, I feel like I should point out that the class quests at level 45 and 50 now give out the i90 Philosophy gear in addition to the i50/55 Artifact gear. I believe the MSQ also gives you an i90 weapon (the ones from Primal Focus) and possibly an i110 weapon. As you progress through Heavensward, if you do the MSQ and all of your side quests you can also get entire sets of HQ crafted gear items starting at item level 115 and going all the way to item level 145.

I rolled an alt recently, and you get a full i110 set... effortlessly. Explicitly through MSQ.

There is no concern whatsoever about vertical progression.