The average wow player is so entitled. Next you guys will want gear to be account wide. It isn't that difficult to get the was esscences you want. You just have to play the game. If it's too hard then you don't get the esscences. It is that simple.
I don't like them for main. It's an unnecessary distraction where I believe progression should come from raiding and mythic+ not PvP or questing or reputation. I have 4 unlocked. Two at LVL 3 and a LVL 2. I had a look at the optimal esscences and to get my third optimal involves doing an activity that I don't want to do. Instead of having a bitch about how wow is a dying game and how this system is unacceptable I decided to flag that esscence. I don't need optimal gear to be competitive and have fun. I am fully capable of downing bosses and topping meters without.
For Alts I like them. I find them a nice surprise. "Oh, I get to upgrade my esscence " or "my neck allows a new slot now". It's kind of cool. If my Alts are needed in a raid, which sometimes they are, I am there because I can contribute meaningfully and the lack of optimal stats is not an issue.
Too many people think they're top shit but complain about being without because they don't want to play the game. You are not top shit. You are just terrible if you thing optimal stats make that much of a difference.