Thank you!
You just pointed out two of the facts why this game is so different from "the rest" on the gameplay. What i like about this game is that there are almost no restrictions when it comes to customising your character. There are easy and hard skills based on your class, however it IS possible to do almost anything if you spend enough points (in regards to equipment and crafting).
With the GMS example, everyone can use these. However you can do almost anything, there is still the little things that are different. Now it is not a requirement to have these, but they help making "socialising" a part of this game that goes beyond just "teaming and bashing" with other players.
Now i see sturmalfar's point, where this kinda cuts into the "gaming fun experience" to have this drawback.
But i think it's the uniqueness of those "special features" of classes and even factions (like neutrals can use the GMS of all factions), that not only are good for experiencing new stuff (that is not new armor/nanos/weapons...) on a game update at a later point of your game time, but also add a special uniqueness and detail to the game. It's these little things that make this game very special among all "the rest" out there.
And that i think, even though it might cut into the gameplay fun sometimes, is worth it, in the greater picture of this game world and the experience of a more "real" world you experience while traveling on the surface of Rubi-Ka.
(and please don't get me wrong sturmalfar. I see what you mean. But on a specific game detail like that i rate it higher then the gaming comfort drawback
)