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I mean the game isn't designed for HC play, it's designed for SC. It's nice to have HC as a side event or something to do on occasion, but the game should never be designed around HC at all. It would only kill the player base to do so.
Them focusing on making the ascendancies fun and not geared towards a side game mode is definitely the right decision. SC will always be the main draw and what the large majority play.
Not to mention there is no actual HC since you can just logout. HC in PoE is just SC+ anyways, so I don't see the issue.
Enjoy the event though and if you skip it cause you can't play HC I feel bad for you missing out on a good event. Have fun though!
Have you ever participated in gauntlet?