Increased Rates

[Kiwis]

While speeding up players' race to the endgame, or "end of the journey", might seem like the easiest solution, shouldn't there be things to do on the way, as well as once you reach the end?

That's a very valid question.

Reiterating from mint:

Make gear progression much more rewarding and noticeable instead of surprise-shitting on players during parties for not having farmed such and such cards when playing such and such classes.

But, the way I see it is more of, "how can we make players' journey there more engaging and rewarding before they just quit halfway?"
And, currently, there isn't much to do on the way there (debatable).