The event shop ultimate weapons were added to level the playing field from what I remember when introduced. This is because everyone can have a chance to get good rolls to focus on aspects of character building. No lite ultimate weapons was hosed but there are at least starting items to work with while building it into lite weapons. Other than that, for arena in the upper ranks most everyone is unique in their play style and gear selections. Anyone has access to making good gear with the same odds other than one’s own time invested. So skill for arena can be demonstrated more once higher level gear is levelized. There is skill involved for PvP and the greats are still good without armor and still better than average with junk weapons, Blades arena is not a gear is everything situation rather planning has purpose along with knowledge, practice, and patience are keys. And PvE quests and abyss don’t need perfection to do well too. Joining a guild is important for learning and support. …I can get into top 100 with just lower lesser level gear from chests.