Without cores for infusion the other resources keep themselves in check with a streamlined infusion process. Masterwork cores were an over abundant resource for people in year 1 because of the limitations of the loot pool. Static rolls on weapons and armour gave little reason to infuse, and those that play A LOT accrued too many cores with nothing to use them on. We don’t have static rolls any more and the masterwork costs have increased, so they are better positioned to keep the balance of cores in check with the masterwork system itself, as they were designed for. Keep in mind the only reason people have massive stacks of cores now is because they are afraid to invest them masterworking knowing they will need them for infusion next time the power cap is raised. The infusion system creates a need to hoard rather than invest, it’s not keeping anything in check. The masterwork system still could use some work to really solidify it as an endgame investment process and cause people to use their cores instead of hoarding. Especially on the armour side of the house. Enhancing perks, re-rolling perks, etc. But it is masterworking that gives the impactful feeling and Bungie should be doubling down on gear investment in that process at the endgame, not infusion to get to endgame.