I already answer you: they like to waste time and  life on a pointless grind and they want others to waste too, that's why they don't want any changes for the better.

The problem is not the earning per se, the problem is the lack of noticeable progress and the fact that we earn too little in a reasonable amount of time and that we have no real chance of getting these items from enchanting.

If someone is a living bot, he will earn 1b a day but even that is a small amount at the prices of true end game items.

What about people who like events? With life skillears? Last 2 weeks I was training horses so I didn't earn practically anything because what is 500m for 2 weeks. 

I completely agree that, in terms of combat, specially later on, even if you do make gains, you don't really see actual progress, even though you did make it, but that has to do with how the gear (AP and DP) has been balanced by PA, along with the PvE zone caps that they have implemented (completely pointless and idiotic imo). The enhancing part of getting gear, as I mentioned in another comment, I just don't do it at all, unless you're one of the "blessed", it's not worth it and part from some extra profits on some items, I'd advise just using it on fallen god with J's hammers or crons only (once you do get at least a fallen god piece). So it ends up not being a matter of making gains or not, it's the perception, the increase in power that said gains give the player, if I'm interpreting your comment correctly, with which I agree.

As for events, I agree that they have been very lackluster, and I mentioned that on another post actually.

As for lifeskills, there are some that are quite profitable, and others that need a serious buff, that has been the case for a loooong time, I'd say, on that front, it's not so much of the lack of lifeskill events, it's also how many lifeskills were left behind (looking at trading, since it's the most noticeably least profitable lifeskill).

I just noticed this response, I apologize for not noticing before.

After that softcap, in terms of "vertical" progression, you can keep going, but it's minor gains and you won't notice much, unless you're going for PvP (in which case, the extra accuracy from the otherwise minor gains in PvE will make a big difference), which is why I also think that, they made the softcap too quick to get, as I always saw in this game that, it's not about the goal, it's about the journey.

As someone that did several of those grinds (bough both PEN BS staff and Awakening weapon), TRI fallen gods (got PEN C10 pieces and then enhanced myself, cause I had soo many crons, soo many stacks, and along with J's hammers, finally both went TRI), and working on the last 2 PEN accessories, which should get them before the next expansion, and if there's a caphras event, can get them and still have money to invest in lifeskill gear if I want to (barring my double distos, buying a PEN Disto is not a grind I think I'm willing to go for), I can say that, you are pretty much correct that, what is the point in terms of extra gains for PvE, it's there to keep players busy I suppose, but it is a stretch, I know. Why did I do it? I question myself about that sometimes...Guess boredom, and nothing better to play (when a game comes up that I'm interested in, I take a break from BDO, but, it has been a dry season lately for me).

For me what's next after that, if a player rushed that gear is, enjoy the game, do some quests, explore a little bit of everything the game has to offer, learn a bit of the story of the game world, the LORE is not as terrible as many people make it out to be, instead of spamming R, just have a read, talk to NPCs for extra tid-bits to connect the dots and learn a bit about the world building and stuff (which in my opinion, the world building is more interesting than the LORE in this game). Or just learn a bit about each NPC, some of these NPCs actually do have a story to them (Igor Bartali being a good example), either through quest logs or through getting amity to learn about them, etc etc. There are many activities, but I know many people will not like several of them, I'm just a bit weird I guess, I play the games to experience as much as I can and want to in the game, not just the "Meta" content and guides to rush to what the majority cares about, and for me, that's works fine, I play to have fun my own way, not how others tell me to have fun.

Maybe this didn't answer what you said, but the question of "what's next" differs from person to person, and only that player can say what's next for them, and imo, that's what's called true freedom in a game.

I do this, and I can confirm, I am definitely not the norm, and am a small minority xD but I'm also incredibly unlucky with enhancing (which is why I stopped xD that's why I buy), it is what it is, but I did get the gear anyway by buying it \o/,

I understand your point, I just mean that since some items are the best in the game there should be some reasonable chance to get them.

I did everything that made sense to me (all quests, CP, max energy, mobs knowledge, infinity potions, life skill to guru, etc.). 

I don't see a problem in grind if the grind rewards me. I just think that grinding for half a year just for one item is bad.

And that's why I compares the current "softcap" to true end game items. And the lack of a guarantee of progress simply discourages grind.

The game has always been a grinder's dream game.  So much things to go for, gear treadmill is so long it's virtually limitless, tons of things to level up in, that one won't be able to complete everything in BDO, realistically.  This is how to game is supposed to be -- "endless grinder", "hardcore MMORPG", etc.

But why do you even want max gear anyway?  For dead OWPVP?  Most node wars are capped.  Most siege,which is supposed to be the end-game PVP is capped.  AoS is capped.  Why you want max gear?  Makes no sense.  You should instead be focused on rerolling to whatever's OP and leveling up alchemy so you can craft the best elixers.  And don't forget getting a good fairy.  Good fairy + Good exlixers + Good class (like Zerker BSR spam or Maegu protected DPS OP EZ combos spam) + Good Green Offhand is all you need -- gear not required.

The person who is playing 2 hour per day have no chance of getting max gear, its just waste of time, cause eventually they will give you that gear for free.

being the alpha is only optional, not obligation to enjoy black desert

if you want to be alpha i feel sorry for you

other people dont care and just enjoy black desert

for me it is the waifu

For normal play? 

Ash Forest: "only" 300 AP, but how much should be effective?

Quint Hill: "suggested" 310 AP 400 DP, again: how much should be effective?

Atoraxxion Elvia: also no AP / DP limits.

There is no such thing as too much AP/DP in BDO, quite the opposite: 99% of players are under AP/DP and everyone should be able to reach 310+ AP and 400+ DP in a reasonable amount of time.

I'm still trying to find these casual players that grind 2 hours a day and make 1 billion.

The majority of casual players spend their time far less efficiently.

And OP, if you want gear faster, P2W your way to it. That's the way of this game.