Level 29 and 30 are essentially just at-a-glance advertising saying "[b]I can handle hard mode raiding[/b]". Beyond that the only reason to reach 30 is completionism. Which by that notion indicates you will do everything there is to do to it's fullest extent. Obtain and upgrade every weapon, max every sub class, reach at least level 3 in every faction, and defeat the raid on its hardest difficulty. For completionists reaching level 30 is what they will have done via raiding anyhow. Personally I don't mind it as the sole route to 30. However, I enjoy working on various gear sets (putting together a Pulse rifle gear set for Bad Juju presently), and the fact I cannot do this with level 30 gear discourages me from being motivated to obtain it. Furthermore since level 30 is not required for any mode of play and I can handle hard mode raids just as well as any level 30 as a level 29, I'm not given an incentive to reach level 30. It sincerely is little more than a number to chase. The results of obtaining that number are looking aesthetically like every other level 30 of my class (except for what color i can be), no control over the perks I'll have, and no added game functionality to give that level a purpose (there's no level 30 required content). It's just not a very attractive proposition. I raid for the guns, and if/when I get raid armor I'll likely just let it sit in the vault if doesn't fit together for a build to work on.