Quote Originally Posted by ThirdChild_ZKI View Post

This isn't really a criticism of the formula set up by SE, but so long as players aren't pushed to get better, they just won't. Some will have that fire in them to do it anyways, and I love them for it, but using my old mountain metaphor again: If climbing the mountain or walking the trail will grant you the same reward, you're not likely to find many climbers.
I agree with you mostly, except that once you do get to the top of the mountain (and actually try to do savage) you will be completely exposed. So yes, the reward is somewhat there, but in reality its only half of it. Its like you climbed or walked the trail, but when you get to the top, its a cloudy/gray/rainy day... you dont get the reward of that beautiful sunrise/sunset