You have a good point here. Well said.
Most servers are play to win. This one is no exception.
As most other servers are this one is seniority driven and unfortunately have a chance to bypass Equipment penalties that open up opportunities for P.LVL of boxes.
Any server play is your commitment to understanding and embracing local rules individual server loopholes.
Playing on this particular server, some would say, is more protected than illegal servers.
The game is over 10 years old and needs some money poured in, so the environment is adapted for that.
Play L2 or a newer made game, but remember L2 is like the parent to bunch of other well-known MMORPGs.
This is more of the dive into past for most people who played as young adults and now have minds and means to play by the rules but against the system.