QUOTE(Adrilitia @ May 18 2015, 10:07)

So basically, what I'm reading (and I'm trying to make it through EVERY page of this thread so far) is that the most recent update to the game has changed it so that it's MORE difficult for "regular" players like me (as I'm writing this, I'm only at level 46; and I only really play to earn credits to download galleries) to achieve anything decent, item or equipment-wise (and it was already hard enough for me because drops to upgrade stuff aren't showing up at all, and I have absolutely none of whatever materials are necessary to repair or whatever with weapons and armor).
Come on. Making things more difficult for players can't possibly be what HV was created for in the first place, right?
+1
I think lot of player start to play HV just for a little amount of credit (30/50k? to convert it into GP) to be able to download galleries (was my case), and then you stay because the community is sympathic, and you want to upgrade very nice piece of equipment (forging cost so much credits you can only afford to do it on legendary) and level up. There is no other reason to play this game. And I think some player in this case start uploading galleries / run H@H to have more credits and buy nice stuff when they level up.
But now you won't have nice stuff (decent set to survive in something else than normal difficulty) anymore (if you are lucky enough to find one, high chance it will be useless for you, also untradable), and the trading system is dead. Also, there is no point leveling up since the equipment you get will become useless when you will level up.
Now you have a credits sink (and it was the plan) if you actually want to use the nice equipment you have a hard time to get and upgrade previously to the patch, 1 soulbinding equip cost more than all my equipment.
Remaining reason to play this game if you don't already have end-game equipment or weapon to upgrade: farm few credits, depending of your download rate of galleries.
Players here have suggested far better ways for natural gear progression, but it seems like the gamemaster don't really give a ...