I think we all understand the position of newer players and their value in keeping a continual player base, especially with older players leaving due to datacrons, cheaters and other such complaints.
As always when you join or rejoin the game there will be good and bad phases/updates rolled out and whether old or new its life. I started 2016 i think, left when g11 shoretrooper was the ultimate tank. Rejoined and there was GLs but at least i had a spine of some teams but I have had to farm constantly and I think at every level theres a bottleneck mats, kyros, relic mats etc.
The thing that I tend to read on this forum is that its unfair that newer players cant catch up, you wont unless you spend and seriously spend at that. Also, imagine spending years working a roster but CG allow newer players to have it easier and match you in months, a lot of the player base is open to more gear being rewarded if earned or available to everyone equally.
CG no longer release 1 character, it will likely need a team or multiple toons to be upgraded to achieve or work with it. So in terms of focus maybe forget the accelerated characters and farm characters realistic to your own position within the game.
However, i am in total agreement where gear distribution in daily challenges, events and raids etc needs to be overhauled. But bear in mind that these bottlenecks are in place for one reason only, to make money from frustration of the player base.
