When the player unlocks the Refined Sewing table the Frontiersman Gear is unlocked immediately. Due to its Gear Score which is comparable to the NTTC gearset, this 'pre-qualifies' the player to being able to enter the Herbarium, Gloom and Hunt Sites of power. In previous versions, the players progression into these sites of power was governed by a gear score which is no longer displayed due to exceeding the pre-requisite
As a consideration for the Quest Flow, perhaps consider moving the Frontiersman Gear Set to a purchasable gear set similar to other gears of its gear score so that the required gear level is displayed.
Agreed on this gear messing up the whole storyline progression. I find the storyline progression really loose and confusing as it is, but was just directed to this post as I was struggling with my gear and feeling underequipped with my weapon, and it was explained to me that I was jut about done with the hunt level quest with the oeten heart, but I had yet to unlock the gloom card at all. The armor allowed me to accidentally go from herbarium to hunt without realizing I'd completely missed the gloom. I had it in my head that gloom was after hunt in difficulty. Having the gear score work like it would have on lower levels, would have prevented this.
Been playing Extreme difficulty only and avoiding looking stuff up, and it's been very disappointing that basically the first unlock after Trapper has been my gear the entire time.
I was kinda hoping maybe some of the unlocks would maybe work best with upgraded materials since some of them like Explorer's have more compenents, but nope, still better off just using those materials to make better versions of Frontiersman gear.
Yeah i noticed it too, it was supposed to be unlocked with excellent bench, now it is too easy to craft.. Need to rebalance stats or remove it from refined bench
Also getting the Frontiersman Gear as early as Antiquarian Realms makes the game far too easy.