I disagree with you aswell. Don't get me wrong, i enjoy the gear progression and i don't mind starting to play green geared, 0 AA toons in PvP and get spanked a lot, and spank a bit cocky noobs. Actually feeling your character gaining power is enjoyable.
However, when i'm tired i can relog to a more advanced char and play more relaxed. I can easily find groupes for khitai and not struggle because when players see my stuff they kick me or because i don't have the AA for HMs.
Theres quite a diffrence between a veteran player, use to the game, who knows it from top to bottom, has friends around, etc. and a new commer.
PvP wise the AA gap adds to the gear gap and the skill gap. Gear is pretty fast to get. Skill... it depends. AA is long and tedious especially if you are more intrested in PvP than PvE. So having a bump to get at least the anti-CC seem pretty reasonable to me.
AoC doesn't really shine by it's numbers. Looking into new player retention isn't a bad thing.