new players don’t do that kind of math. much less justify the cost in objective terms.
leggy armor has that problem in spades. most players only want it because its the highest tier, but complain about the cost to make it.
asc is a small scale version of that. if you’re playing at a level where it can make a difference, you can reasonably afford it, or at least know how to afford it.
So how I explain it is ask what are you doing that justifies it. The answer I’d like to hear more of, but never do, is “I may as well”. Usually it sounds like people think high tier gear will carry them, like it does in other games.