If you are lower leveled, they do make it far simpler to hit 30 though. The vendors in the Tower have updated stock that allows you to hit level 31. Previously, their stock only got you to 29. Of course, the process of grinding for Marks and Ascendant Shards is a hassle in and of itself.
I don't really mean to defend them, because a bunch of their choices in regards to the "expansion" have ticked me off. Unless I am mistaken, expansions should be expansive, not 5 different, easy to complete missions... That is 3 campaign missions, 1 Raid, and 1 Strike.