The best example i can think of is the character "Vici".
I got great respect for that kid for how much work he puts in.
Is constantly asking "Does anyone have any jobs for me" and is more than happy to put in the time to get ahead...and he has got a fair whack of cash to show for it now.
And i see your point now in that if someone cannot make it under their own steam then the system has a serious flaw.
But i still think that people put too much emphasis on getting to the top as fast as they can...The problem with Faldon is that it basically ends too soon.
By level 100 most people have acquired the highest equips the game permits them from buying. I made a few suggestions in the requirement changes for items when they where being done simply because players where fast tracking from nothing-to-goldplate/claymore.
If someone cannot afford to buy a 10.8k claymore then there are plenty of 100gp bastard swords they can buy to work for that claymore...OR they can buy a 2nd hand one and work their way up.
The problem with newbs is that they expect so much in so little time. It's why i hate character sales where its like "Hey ive played for 2 weeks im sick of being low...Buying lvl400 character" Whats the point in playing if your going to skip past all the progression that makes a game.
I'm opening up a shop that sells 13" rulers just so Fireborn stops complaining.