Because before the DLC and the update to buy mats, I refused to upgrade gear I knew I was going to replace and waste the mats/Ascendant Energy. And the RNG in the raids never gave me gear except the chest and I was already using Voidfang. Then the new RNG continued to be terrible so I had to grind to get up my rep to get a new chest, which would dictate the perks for the new boots I would choose. Also I wanted Obsidian Mind so bought 2 engrams from Xur but didn't get it, got Dire Akhaa-whatever, which I'm using but not upgrading. Finally got the Vanguard Commendation, bought boots and chest, and using the arms from the Eris mission, so when I finally level that up I will be 30, and when I can get Obsidian Mind, I'll upgrade that and be 31