People, let's settle this once and for all:
CG has implemented (even with a considerable delay) all Phase 1 changes from the 2021 State of the gearlaxy EXCEPT the following:
"Approximately double drop rate of Gear on PvE Hard nodes with Character Shards
All PvE nodes with Character shards will have the Gear drop rate increased
This is intended to increase the amount of Gear earned while farming characters". If you have concrete proof that it has been implemented, please do share, because I don't feel like the hard node gear drops have been increased.
So all sides are (sort of) right!
Peace out!