Its a shame the OP has decided to leave over this.
The game was getting stale and the announcement by the big F has invigorated what as a stagnant game imo. I actually have a desire to get back into running epics (after completing the seemingly forever on going tr). To actively seek out gear that i might want in order to rework my toon to get ready for the Underdark.
To each their own I guess, but ****, leaving before the biggest update/expansion of the game hits just doesn't make sense.