Depending on how hard it is to get, it could be a problem.
Currently, I have one of each exotic weapon (that can be used by my characters). I understand that 5-10% may not be much, but the thing is if I have a choice of what to use, I’m going to be more likely to pick the one that has the higher stats.
Let’s just put it like this. Currently I sometimes swap between greatsword and 1-handed sword on my guardian. I would most likely aim for the ascended GS first, and this pretty much all my orange choices will naturally fall to the wayside unless I’m purposely gimping myself. It’s the same reason none of my alternate weapons are rare. I have no need to use subpar weapons if I have a better option already.
With time gating, pursuing other builds becomes expensive, sub-optimal, and not fun.
And of course, there’s the issue of offhands though I’d imagine they’d be more thoughtful and make 1-handers and off handed easier to acquire, but let’s just say I have my doubt.
Unless of course the difference is like infusions, where 0.5% diffrence isn’t noticable. But I doubt that’s what people who desire vertical progression want. It’s a catch-22. If it doesn’t matter, then people will complain it’s a waste of time to get it. If it does matter, then people will feel required to get it.
None of this really matters if gear is offered through reasonable channels. Problem is that if it’s brought through limited channels then that isn’t very cool, especially if the main way is through a boring method of crafting.
Personally, I think the status quo is very good, because you can trivially change your gear almost as you need. Because the difference between exotic and rare isn’t that bad, there’s no need to worry you’ll run with people that have gear so bad they won’t do anything. And thus, there’s less of a reason to blame that. However, while one may say that exotic to ascended won’t be that big of a diffrence, fine. But what say you to those folks still in yellows or with alts in yellows?
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards,
for there you have been and there you will long to return.