It seems to me, though my experience is limited, that the standardization project (especially the bits about removing AC from rings/cloaks/etc.) has made it so that the levels needed to make Gates effective are no longer practical (or at least as practical). I had Gates with Fordun, and even with Dern's armor and some ac boosting affects (armor, ironskin, stoneskin) and other items chose for AC bonus, I wasn't getting more than a couple three levels into Gates. I could be wrong about this, but I've half-noticed others being disappointed with this legacy recently, and was wondering if perhaps someone should take a look and see if it's working as intended. Basically, that if you are gearing with an eye for AC, you're getting good mileage out of it.

Anyone else that wants to chime in with their thoughts on how stupid and/or right I am, feel free.

I checked it out post-standardization and I'm satisfied with where it sits. I can't remember if I had to adjust it at that point or not.

I appreciate it. Thought maybe it was something that got missed... Turns out it's just something I'm not happy with, like elf blood and orcs

While some armor positions lost AC, the various "armor use" skills should boost the AC of armor you're wearing at other positions. Seems like it would approximately balance out.