Gating interesting content behind artificial side leveling

[BillyKaplan]

"Boring" is subjective, some people really enjoy it.

then it doesn't matter if they get a shiny carrot at the end or not, does it?

The tombstone grind to prog savage can also be "boring".

There are various ways to get geared for Savage, including just buying crafted gear. You can't get around Eureka.