But I have a hard time just avoiding fighting while I try to rank up. I play the game for pk... a character where I'm just sitting around waiting to essentially play the game isn't fun for me. Probably a character flaw on my part.

My point wasn't that I should have barrier at 36, but that the difference between having it and not having it at that level is a complete game changer, especially for APs.

Also, I'm not sure what universe fighting RBW as an AP (with no bash protection) = near-zero risk, but that has never been my experience. Sure you can enlarge/reduce, but even with that you can be permalagged by bash.