Originally Posted by
Niminae
I'm not sure I agree with giving access to filigree slots/sets pre-epic, but the fact that early epics is in sore need of more itemization cannot be disputed.
White Plume Mountain did a little to help this, but since then the concept of releases with multiple epic levels seems to have died. Lynnabel has said several times that she isn't going to touch the L20 Epic crafting items until she is done with the entire list of heroic items, so that potential source of early epic itemization is years away.
But something needs be done for low epic level itemization, and sooner rather than later. Artifacts that could be worn at L20 would help. Top level gear is fine and dandy, but unless it is needed to defeat the content it is just unnecessary power creep. And people who don't sit at cap have very little use for items they will only wear for 1 level before they reincarnate.