While I am disappointed that my favorite item, my pitchfork, wont be used in battle. I'm also fairly intrigued by this concept. I was a long playing person in Anarchy Online, City of Heroes, and Eve Online. While each one was unique in its own way, it still had the same basic premise at its core.
Get the best equipment and/or skills
Use them to your advantage
Be better than the last person you saw
That's all well and good so long as the world remains active and varied. The Battle System Gaia is creating seems very much like that basic core with a slight twist. This "Ring" system is a fine way to even the score a bit for newer Gaians and Older Gaians. I can level with that. After all, where's the fun in a game if you start off with a badass character with equally kickass stuff?
There is one thing that does trouble me though. Only 8? And do they have to be just rings? The fingers are not the only place to put jewelry and such. There could be earrings, necklaces, etc. Each that could do different things. Take that as a suggestion. The Battle System has the looks of something with lots of potential. Expand and utilize every conceivable option while sticking to the same concept. Hell, it just might curb the amount of bad vibes I've already seen from other people.