What about the PVE player?
What about the players who do not want to play PVP but still want unlocks. Why should those players join PVP as an only option? It sounds one sided from your point of view. Do you not care about PVE type players having fun? Is a PVP player more entitled to fun? We both paid full price. It should not be one way or another.
Moderate Challenge XP and weapon mastery for PVE servers at a minimum to be fair. It sounds like to me if a PVP player likes a challenge so much then what better challenge than facing a PVE player, in a match, with a maxed out weapon. I doubt that would happen. Most likely PVP players who maxed out a weapon.
As a predominant PVE player, I would rarely join a PVP match. Even now, I avoid them except to try to move the weapon mastery needle. I give up on that. The game is not fun when the focus is unlocks and challenges. It forces me to play a way that is not my choice. I thought this game was marketed as "Play your way" ? Un modified PVE experiences of Conquest and other modes should give all those challenges and bonuses as well for PVE players in a private bot filled server. Unmodified, that's the key that prevents the bot farm lobbies yet gives an opportunity for PVE players to still enjoy the game.