1.) We're pretty much left guessing & doing our own math on whether our armor or weapons actually do anything. Just let us see exactly how much they are supposedly improving our stats in a details page.
2.) The game's supposed to give us the viking fantasy, right? Burn down places, take the loot, and improve our own lots in life whether that be weapons, armor, or food. So why is it that random loot drops are not a thing like in Odyssey? Allowing for random loot drops with things like river raids and whatever extra content in the future being built to allow for stuff with better stats or abilities on existing gear would make those activities actually matter in the long run. Even the hundreds of small chests we mindlessly loot that just have bland crafting materials in them at the moment could be dramatically improved by letting them drop weapons or armor (obviously not the best stuff but at least it's something). The player would actively seek these chests not only to improve their own gear with the previously mentioned upgrade stuff, but there's also a chance for a new weapon with a new perk or something that better fits their build.