I would like to point out that at iron banner ranks 3 and 5, you get etheric light. Also, etheric light isn't the only way to reach max level. For those who can only play two hours a week, run PoE 32, which anyone who maxed out the last dlc can achieve, and trade in armor cores. The armor you get already has max light, and 4 weeks of that and you are level 34. If you get lucky on the nightfall, you get it even quicker. Honestly, I feel like there is a very fair balance to max characters, and etheric light is fine where it is.