Gms only ask for a 15 power level gain and all 1320 gear. If you do the math, that is basically season rank 100. If you can't reach season rank 100 by week 5 that is really on you. All 1320 armors might be tricky for some if they never so endgame content. So realistically should be season rank 120 if you want to be gm ready.

It’s around 120 rank I believe. The fact you think 20 levels a week is ‘on me’ shows you don’t see it from my point of view. Some people have high skill but low ‘real world time’. For instance, I work away for long periods of time so can only play destiny intermittently. I’ve achieved everything skill related the game us too offer (including the Claymore, Flawless and Conquerer) but if I can’t grind bounties one season then I’m locked out of activities I could complete. If GM’s are skill based then why make you grind XP at all? Players who can play 6+ hours everyday aren’t necessarily good but ones who want to challenge themselves have to grind 40+ hours a week?

Take it casual then. We all lead busy lives and yet find the time to reach rank 120. I dont find it hard at all. Grinding bounties helps but not a requirement so long as you do your pinnacles. The game already gives you large XP dumps for completing pinnacle activities. Each seasonal challenge give you 1 full rank up. Complete your 3 strikes and crucible for the week give another XP dump. A full raid is 1 rank up. If youre going to do these activities, you might as well pick up the easy bounties that just involve 30 kills or the simple "complete a crucible match." With 50 challenges, and so many other opportunities you should be well over 120 by week 5. I saw many players that attempted Day 1 VOG were already rank 100+. Those players had no problems with the xp system.