I will tell you why you see such a big difference, but as for the reason Anet has decided to punish WvW, well, they need to answer that question.
Here is one example. Our guild used to be able to use easy-to-get influence to make a buff that allowed us to claim something, a fort, tower, or camp. Now, we have to have a Scribe that for some ungodly reason needs to craft different qualities of “Paper” to open up most of what is available at any guild’s “War Room”. To make the first 3 (three) upgrades takes a low level scribe (thank God), AND 4,500 green logs…. yes…. 4,500!!!
Now, to level your scribe to the next “paper” quality (paper? really????) will cost your guild (or the poor sucker that takes on the scribe “craft” (“Craft” is in quotes because it is NOT a real craft – it is a pure RIP OFF)) about 500-1000 gold… No, I am NOT kidding. And that is to JUST get your guild’s scribe from level 50 to level 75!!!!!!
Now, please refer to the title of this post, “Why punish WvW…” So, this is why I see this as a punishment…
First, NO OTHER Guild “UPGRADE” consistently Needs a scribe… ONLY WvW – again – Why?
Second, NO OTHER Guild UPGRADE (Other then MAJOR restorations, or the Mine) needs anywhere NEAR as much material as EACH freaking WvW upgrade.
Third (and this is a looooong time problem with wvw, not just a HoT issue), the rewards for playing WvW absolutely stink. They are purely pathetic compared to ANY other aspect of GW2. Period. PVE Boss Trains drop tons of loot, Map-events drop tons of loot, and PVP is like the GW2 sweetheart. Good-grief, they even reward PVP’s with real Cash Rewards!! Up to $250k!!!!
Lastly, don’t even get me started about the costs of EACH Guild Banner (WvW or not!) (For example, 38 GOLD (not silver) to make ONE Guild Gathering Banner, or the 100 gold (not 100 silver – which would be reasonable) it takes for ONE Hero Banner!!!)
Now, to be perfectly honest, I LOVE the design changes, all of them. I love being able to get a buff that allows me to jump off of ANY cliff, and not die, love the new champs, love how one must think in order to to attack and/or defend places…
So that really gets me wondering… Anet, why would you sink all that design money into revamping Boarderlands, and then KILL WvW with all this scribing crap? Even if u just plain want to soak all the people who love (or used to love) WvW, why not just make them turn in the material that is needed and LEAVE the Guild Scribe OUT OF IT!!!!!!