The unfortunate side effect to rewarding both the lore hounds and raiders is once the discovery happens that you can get just as equal items doing something an easier way, 98% of the population will do things the easy way. Just like you said figuring things out for the first time is so rewarding and great and those quest texts that are vague, discovering their true meaning makes you feel wonderful. Most players now need things spoon fed. If it doesn't say exactly where to go or who to talk with they don't do it until either developers have to give hints or that minority that does like to do it, does it. Then its all about asking where to go instead of figuring out the quest themselves.
As for Zaela's idea on the augments, it is a great idea and the aspect of her server comes with it. Combinations of items essentially define who you are and what you are capable of, but no matter what in the long run there is always that one super combination that out does the rest that people strive for and everyone essentially becomes the same.
No matter what it always comes down to the developer and how they want their server to scale. If they want stuff hitting for hundreds of thousands of damage and the only point is to zerg stuff and stack more damage and hitpoints then that's their choice. The players will play where they like. Our goal as developers in my opinion is to learn and enjoy what we like to do, just the same as the players. If I have a core 30 people who love and enjoy my server and log on every day then my server is a success, not just because it reaches preferred or legendary, but because there are players that enjoy what I've brought to the table. You don't always have to do what everyone else is doing to be successful even if it means your 'epic' gear isn't exactly epic in other people's eyes. Sure at that point it's just gear since everyone has it. When it comes down to it, all it is is a label.
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