Vendors is not new always been arround and there was never a lock on gear. Each dlc that came out every one could pick up the new gear reguardless of owning the dlc or not.. Technically you can from the crucible vendor.. You just can't can't obtain marks to do so. So the change to the actual engine and mechanics of marks means a move to a currency that is now almost impossible to obtain if you don't get the latest dlc were as before vanilla destiny players could carry on playing their same content and obtain marks in pvp or vanguard strikes to gain marks.