Something I never quite understood...

Yeah, I'm sorry to say but my rage-less hybrid theory was shot down (after NLC arrived). I didn't listen and my brother made a crusader anyways (hybrid). He doesn't suffer too badly, but there is never any circumstance that he'll use his axe any more (after 90). There is little benefit after the low(er) levels and yep. Coincidentally the exact opposite is true for ass-dits, you lose nothing (too important) when going hybrid (albeit much earlier).