Yes and no. Once you get raid gear, the Vanguard gear is useless as it does not have enough light, so to speak. BUT, Bunged Gee have limited their access by forcing you to play PVP. So you can play this game anyway you want as long as it is the way Bunged Gee want you to play it. Lets say I am a warlock, well then I only have one Vanguard to use. The factions are all useless unless I play PVP. I do play PVP, but am not a big fan and to top it off the PVP fan clubs call me a noob as I kick the crap out of them with weapons like Pocket Infinity etc. So even then, none PVP players who do play PVP are labelled as noobs by the PVP club as we do not use weapons that the PVP club endorse?