Something that everyone I talk to agrees on yet no one seems to point out online, is the downright terrible decision to make raid gear the only path to level thirty. Perhaps you've already heard this before and no longer care, but I challenge you to. this is a flaw that needs to be fixed, for several reason.
1. It nullifies ALL FIVE FACTIONS.
Are you really telling me that every single one of those legendary armories the five factions have were [i]stepping stones[/i]? You bust your bottom to get all that gear, only to be left once again at the mercy of the RNG?
2. we BUSTED OUT BOTTOMS to get that gear!
I didn't spend literal days in the crucible getting all those marks for you to tell me that I have to give them up if I want to be level thirty! That is unacceptable! In fact it's downright disheartening. We didn't work that hard to have it surmounted by a couple hour long raid.
3. Save a shader and one gear piece, everyone would look the same.
looking the same as everyone else should NEVER be the goal in an RPG, that's ridiculous. So we get one exotic armor, and a shader to look unique. otherwise we have literally the same armor as everyone else. Honestly how did that slip through the cracks during development??
4. What about future raids?
assuming you get different raid gear in future DLC raids, that means you have practically nullified one or more perks on your fancy VOG raid gear. Now, if the level cap goes up, fine, that makes sense. But if it does not, you now have armor with useless perks.
I'm not saying raid gear should be on par with faction armor, not at all. It SHOULD be better. just in different ways, perhaps granting lesser bonuses to all three attributes, instead of a specialized two like most legendary armors, or make the raid armor require one less defense upgrade to reach max stats, making it easier to upgrade than faction armor. There are ways to make raid armor special. But giving it exclusive access to level 30 was a terrible decision. I've built an entire play style around my armor, one that won't work with raid armor. In fact, seeing as there's basically only one armor, MOST peoples play styles don't fit. How is that ok? leave a comment stating you're own thoughts. Hopefully they will understand the problem with this decision, and fix it soon.
EDIT:
Thank you for your feedback. It seems that some like the raid system, but others are frustrated by the "exclusive" nature of the raid armor. So, allow me to reign in my thoughts to this: customization.
Perhaps the biggest downside of the raid armor is the fact that there's only one set. So "your" guardian, as bungie advertised, is really just the same guardian as evey one else minus one equipment slot and a shader. Bungie advertised that the character was YOUR guardian, that you were unique, but if you want to be the best, bungie wont allow you to be unique. This is my biggest complaint. perhaps this won't change until the DLC comes out, and if so, oh well, I still believe they need to fix this.
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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.