I always liked the cosmetic class armor

I remember when I got shattered vault cloak and I heard legendary class items gave you things and I screamed "what the hell bungie" Good times

I think this has to do more with the split in the group. You have the ones that wanted stats, so they complained that it did nothing. But the ones that like the cosmetic only were ok with it. Now that stats are involved, the cosmetic people complain that they have to wear certain pieces because the stats on them are necessary and can't wear what they want.

I agree, it's silly. But they could easily remove JUST light level though. They could still have all the same perks that are picked at random and for example, Intelligence/Discipline/Strength, could all be standard bonuses based on rarity of the item instead of based on the light level. Like a Rare adds +20/15 if you have split perks or +30 if you have a single perk. A Legendary adds +30/20 for split perks or +40 for one. An Exotic adds +35/25 for split perks or +45 for one. The rest of perks being the same as they are now. [b]Best case scenario[/b], you get to put on any class item you want from any period of the game you've held onto and get a slight boost in the bonuses they provided previously. Your overall light level goes up because your class item was your lowest light gear and held you back. [b]Worst case scenario[/b], you put on a class item from year 1 that doesn't have bonuses and your total light level drops marginally because the year 2 item you were using was your highest light gear.

It did make some kind of sense, but was still a pain in the butt lol.