I didn't expect a single dev quote to hit so hard, but that's what happened when Virgil Watkins talked about how cost shouldn't automatically cover a skill gap. It landed right in the middle of the daily reality of chasing ARC Raiders Items, crafting up a purple Bobcat or Tempest, and then realizing you're still just one bad peek away from losing it all. You don't feel "powered up" so much as "responsible," like you brought fine china to a bar fight.

Why Expensive Gear Feels Like a Trap

The problem isn't that anyone's begging for pay-to-win. Most players I run with hate that idea. The issue is the math. A top-end craft takes time, parts, and a pile of resources, then the difference in a firefight can be tiny compared to a fully tuned common weapon. That wouldn't sting as much if the downside wasn't so brutal. Repairs are pricey, the anxiety goes up, and suddenly you're playing safer—not smarter. You end up asking yourself why you'd risk a Tempest when a cheap rifle can still beam someone if you're on target.

Skill Matters, But Time Has to Matter Too

I get the philosophy. Any gun should be usable if you've got good aim, good movement, and you don't panic. That's the kind of game people want. Still, progression can't feel like a prank. If I grind out a high-tier blueprint, I'm not asking for a "press button to win" weapon. I'm asking for something that feels different in my hands. Maybe it's cleaner recoil, faster ADS, better damage at range, or tighter spread under pressure. Something you can actually feel mid-fight, not just see on a stat screen.

PvE-First Until It Isn't

The studio keeps reminding everyone it's PvE-first with PvP layered on top, and that's true right up until you hear footsteps that aren't ARC. Then the whole raid pivots. In those moments, your loadout is your confidence. If purple gear doesn't show up when it counts, people hoard it instead of running it, and the economy gets weird. Patch tweaks like the Trigger 'Nade nerf show they're watching the numbers, but players are waiting for the other half of the equation: buffs, cost reductions, or drop-rate changes that make high-tier gear worth taking outside the stash.

What Would Actually Fix the Loop

If they want "skill over cost" without making crafting feel pointless, they've got options: cut repair pain, improve the real-world feel of purple weapons, or make the crafting path less punishing so losing one doesn't ruin your week. That's the sweet spot—gear that's clearly premium, but not mandatory. And for players who'd rather save time and keep their kits consistent between raids, it's also why services like U4GM exist, since being able to pick up currency or items can take the edge off the grind while you focus on getting better at the fights themselves.