Well - from my perspective - as an outsider and casual gamer - I would also like to see "the obvious". Otherwise all I notice is "we don't like it, fix it" - which is not really helpful.
"No bonds" was to be honest to be expected - nearly every "yearly" every uses it's own currency. And to be honest - I personally like it. That makes me - as a occasional player - still capable of taking a bigger part in the event without paying much (or any) premium. Tho I do understand not everyone's gonna like it - cos there are not so many ways of spending Bonds in the game.
Just a suggestion - maybe it would be worth to suggest somewhere - what one would like to do with them? What would be - for instance - cool to buy for them in a shop?
"a rifle called a Fort Gun that does not appear to be and a pistol that adds to vigor" - well… that's a starter… cool… what would you see "on them" instead of current stats? And what's wrong with Vigor?
(don't bite - I really don't know what "should" be there… I'm just curious of your opinion)