You guys are to hard trying to put the game into buckets.
You also don't seem to see the bigger picture for the success of the game.
Imho this game is more like a fantasy world simulation.
Does it contain PvP? Yes
Does it contain PvE? Yes
Is it (going to be) a sandbox? Yes
PvP should have consequences and risk/reward (balancing might be a bit off atm, but thats what MMORPGs are always, they shift their balance, its an ongoing process), same goes for PvE.
Should this game be a murder hobo PvP game? - HELL NO, you can play Battle royal or Arena PvP for this!
Should this game allow to be a murder hobo? - Yes, but this shouldn't be the way to go. Being a murder hobo should have clearly some downsides.
On the other side, PvP with intend should be supported more.
Most PvPers should get their PvP from "meaningful" PvP not ganking newbies at the graveyard or in front of town (why do you even do this, why do you get fun from taking the lollipop from a child. If you really want to have PvP there is GK, there is Kranesh, there are experienced people in JC, at the dungeons, at the keeps,... no need to hit little kids (newbies) in front of the town)
What do we need for this?
Guild Wars, Territory Control, Alliances, Alliance Wars
What can you do until then?
Go look for "real" PvP in GK and Kranesh, at the Spider Caves, at Risar Dungeons, at JC but not in front of Fab or Tin Sewers where the 10h per week (50h total) newbies need to stand against your 10h per day 7 days a week character.
Of course they are pissed. Of course you need to do something to protect them.
The newbie from today might be a worthy opponent in the future if you give him the chance to evolve and not break his legs before he even learned to walk straight.
It's like you go to the boxing gym and every day you enter, Tyson Fury is waiting to beat you up before you even get to the dressing room.
Not a good basis for a healthy grow of your gym.
The game supports Full Loot PvP like no other current open world game and you guys complain why there are some restrictions to protect newbies, because you do not want PvP, you want to beat up helpless people just like the bullies did with you back in you school time.
There are issues for sure. Some changes also went to far.
But as always in MMORPGs this might change, the game is far from being feature complete and balance and other stuff might change.
Also yes priests are miles away. Maybe to also fight griefer to be back in no time.
I am not up to date, but I liked the MO1 stat loss for reds more. Why was this removed?
In the end there needs to be some punishment for going red, is it few priests far aways from newbie areas or stat lost. I am fine with on or the other.