Your thoughts...

[Whim]

I've thought the same thing about ranks - they might be influenced a bit too much by pools in comparison to other factors. Since we have a bunch of rank-based stuff in the works, this might be brought more into focus in the near future. I'll be keeping an eye on it.

More crafting materials are coming very soon (the next area, the Hallowed Scar, will introduce some). I have no plans as of yet for more plain "drop salvage" in zones; the upcoming crafting mats are event-based rewards. Never know, though.

I also strongly agree with you about True Impartials in Trials. The current system is clumsy and it sucks. Since the Scar is Trials-related, I'll try to fix up that system once it's released.