One thing you forgot to mention is that the light system is why we get horrible drops. In year 1 you only had to worry about 1 thing: actually getting the drop you want. Then it was a simple matter of getting ascendant materials and an etheric light if you needed it. In year 2, you have to worry about actually getting the drop, getting it at light level 310 or 320, and making sure it has the rolls you want on it. It's ridiculous, and makes rewards on this game suck because they always end up being like light level 303 or something else really low. One time I did a full raid and only got 300 rated gear.