Originally posted by alden.monzon:

Probably because you are only able to upgrade the latest armor to level 2 because the improvements necessary to the newest forge is/are unfinished.

If that's the case why release it at all, the current gear is worse than old gear making getting it pointless. I'm safer in padded armor with a lox cape than I am with the new stuff. My old sword and shield are better as well. Why would anyone want to go into the Mistlands knowing it's all downgrades?