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This.
If you want raid-tier gear, you should have to raid for it.

I kind of miss the old models myself, but I have to admit the new ones look kind of neat.

I've never liked the idea of being able to purchase Weapons/Armor with real world money, it basically defeats the purpose of earning it yourself.

If they added flying mounts, they would have to texture A-LOT of buildings, assuming the back textures were not added.
Either way, flying mounts aren't needed in a game like this, it would defeat...

I can see the appeal, and it would probably be fairly simple.
It doesn't seem all that necessary however.

Now that is just downright scary.

Sounds interesting, would be rather neat if Trion implemented it.

I personally like the fact that events will occur all over the world and at random, it gives players something extra to do.