imo, mmo's should have two different ways to be played:
1) either you spend the time playing to get what you want, or
2) you spend the money to get what you want.

So, if you have more time than money you can spend time grinding and loot the gear you want or if you have more money than time you can spend the money to get your gear.

STS's greatest shortcoming is not recognizing this fact. In AL, to get the best gear, you have to have both money and luck. I quit when the mythic bows came out. They gave 70 more damage than the legendary. There was no way I'd be able to compete in PvP without one and there was no way I'd be able to afford one no matter how much I grinded through the maps. It's my personal belief that if I play a game enough I should have a good chance of looting or otherwise affording the best gear. That's not possible here.

mmo's need both plat players to support them financially as well as free players to give a player base to keep the plat players. After you reach end game and hit the pay wall here you either have to pay up and hope you have good luck, quit, or be content to play end game without PvPing.