To elaborate on my last point. I am sure players want more to have cookie cutter gear than need to switch with every zone. If you are in doubt why not make a movie which explains why you did what you did and let people to select what they prefer in a survey? Youtube can do this, use the features to contact potential clients in a purposeful way.I would imagine it is done this way to slow advancement, but it's also more interesting for this participant to need to finish four+ sets of equipment (preferably with marginally different play styles) than it is to only work on one pair of equipment.
