I'm just test server player that doesn't have regular game account here, sometimes play here with my friend for fun. mainly playing in other server. i like ultima-exclusive items and ideas and quests, especially Hylian Shield and Virus shield vol-opt are pretty cool.
sorry if my point is worthless or something wrong at all, but from my (non ultima veteran) eyes, there are so many event exclusive items. it's true those items motivate players to play events and i like event-only items too. but if you look back, there are so many unobtainable items till next event starts.
In addition, it includes some of significant items such as cent/battle, STA, PGF etc. for me, battle unit is one of the start to play this game. if keeping cent/battle as event exclusive, i think lower tier battle unit should be available for new players with reasnable droprate. (around 70-80% battle speed i'd say.)
about PGF, it's one of goal for this game, ppl who doesn't have yet will want to try for this item someday, but the chance is limited here.