The funny thing is 1.23 actually had a good degree of horizontal progression even without endless gear swaps or macros.

The 1.23 whom for example had a multitude of options available. You could spec for mind and focus on your direct heals. Or you spec into vitality and have stronger enhancing magic. Stronger stoneskins and regen even stronger protect.

DPS as well where against some bosses they'd want to stack more attack potency to break through high defece. On others they could go full int raw damage.

And tanks. Could have low up high offence for some bosses. High hp for others. Or maximum enmity.

All of these things helped make gear feel valuable and important. A big difference to xiv where gear is worthless and trash