why...did we have to change the original method? it sounded like they already had the completely right idea with level requirements and the rarity system. They were following the classic, unbroken, solid system that has been implement on well designed games for years. PLEASE don't tell me a single thread with a couple of pages from people saying otherwise changed this.
I doubt if it was that thread, not this late in the development cycle. More likely feedback from the testers.