Hah.. calling out savage...
I also have basically seen the same. People buying AI's thinking it will make them a better shooter... nope.
Good gear enables you to be better, but you have to put in the time. Much like if i was to get on a factory ducati motogp bike, doesnt mean im gonna be competative. If i was a good rider it would enable me to be better, doesnt actually make me better. You can only ever ride to the skill level you currently have.
Experience, training and practice makes me better, not new gear.
Same goes for 'smithing. Like an apprentice. Things take time to learn, and be good at. Props to people learning and trying.
I can bake a cake. I grab flour, water, milk, eggs, sugar and .... vanilla extract ? I cqn keep trying for years and still make shit flavoured cakes. There comes a point you need to be trained on how to do it properly. You years of shit cakes is still valid experience. Just "bad" experience.
Unlearn.