By ascending it, you didn't have to work as hard for your gear. You completed an objective, and you were able to raise your level, wait a week, and repeat. The specs on the prisons gear were designed for the prison. Unless someone wanted to grind once a week or somehow managed to make it through the prison on multiple levels multiple times, to level up all of their gear. The new system i feel works better, and I would gladly run the raids again to get my favorite weapons. Again agree to disagree, I have my opinion you have yours.