End Game Debate

This morning Werit posted the remaining Q&A from Andy over on the forums, and something really struck me odd.  It was actually what I had touched on at the end of my post from this morning, Alt-Itis,  Just what struck me as odd is as follows:

Do you feel there will be greater limitation on accessibility of city sieges (endgame content) for casual players vs hardcore players, which may inadvertently tailor the game to people who can be online greater amounts of time? If no, can you please explain why?

There will always be somewhat of a divide between Hardcore and Casual players. Sure someone whom is more casual is able to go into a city and get Sov armor, but when exactly will they be able to wear it? As things stand right now, WAR can be viewed as a backwards achievement in gear progression. The high end gear isn't uber difficult to come by, however the capability to use it requires a significant investment of time. 

Of course we're going to continue to work to keep WAR accessible as possible to everyone, regardless of playstyle,  however there are some things which are simply a matter of time invested. ~ Andy

 Here is the problem I have with the above answer from Andy.....it's completely wrong.

Over the past week I have touched on my troubles my Rank 80 Marauder has been having in attaining his full set of Sovereign armor.  At the rate I'm going it will take somewhere along the lines of another six months before I complete my very first set.  I know that I am not the only player with this issue. 

Here is another problem I have, and that is the absolute ease it takes to rank up your renown.  Over the course of my....travels....I have come across a variety of different accounts and characters.  One in-particular that I came across last night.  It is that of a Renown Rank 71.5 character, that was leveled to Rank 40, and Renown Rank 71.5 in less than a single month.  Please see below:

Account Created on 08/18/10, and Rank 71.5 on 09/06/10...at the latest

 

 

Proof of the Rank and Renown

Now you will have to forgive me for not releasing the character name or server, but I absolutely assure you this is the case.  Should someone from EA / Mythic inquire, I would be more than happy to provide information. 

Clearly based on the above, it is apparent that it can hardly take any time at all to achieve these high renown ranks to obtain end game gear.  This character, after not even a single month of play, can begin wearing their end game gear.  Problem is, he only has a mere 5 Royal Crests.   Now if this character were to raid the city as lockout timers allowed, and won every time, it would take them over a year and a half to obtain their Sovereign.  Clearly an issue.  Which issue is worse though?  The fact that this character was leveled so highly, so quickly?  Or the fact that now this character will have to take so long to get their gear?  Hopefully Mythic can address these issues sooner rather than later.