So after doing Castrum Meridianum, I'm thoroughly convinced that the changes were specifically intended to punish speedrunners. There's probably more that could still be done with CM on that matter since can still be partially ruined by people trying to rush ahead, but overall I actually like these changes. Maybe lower the max ilvl to somewhere under 100 so that players have to actually think about mechanics.

It's still not worth 200 poetics, especially if it's an all-vet run, but I'm still convinced it's at least a baby step in a better direction.