This is the dumbest forum post I have seen in here yet, let's just think about MO1 steam launch for q brief second, guess what there were guards then and guess what all the new players were still priest camped for what reason? It wasn't their gear and it wasn't cause they were acting out of the social norms it was the simple fact that they were new that is why they were camped.
I can't believe any of you think no guards or flagging is even remotely a good idea if this game want to keep new players they need to protect them until they are ready to go off on their own and those of you who think guards are not needed feel free to start in a lawless town other than that the flagging system needs to be well thought out and polished so its not abused like it was in MO1