Well if this was a proper RPG your armour wouldn't be coupled to your level in any way. If I play the game for ages I want to level up. If you add RNG to the game I shouldn't have to get lucky or grind for days to get levels. You armour should effect your stats, gun accuracy, recoil, movement speed, that sort of stuff and then add extras like boosting cool downs or improving your shield strength/recharge rate. Choosing the best load out is a good reason to keep coming back and grinding. Maxing out at level 29 because you don't do Raids is a piss poor way of rewarding your player base.