story mode was only intended as an alternative to gain relics.
all the rest that may drop in there is just small additions.
I don't know if they have since nerfed it from the first nerf shortly after they came out since I haven't done a story bt or rg in a long time however rems and boot drops were never part of any story mode. when I did as to BT for example, sometimes I would get a drop from a boss and sometimes I wouldn't. but I do know they nerfed the boxes that drop in there as to not all bosses drop them anymore like they did when it first came out. unless they nerfed it again in the past few months you may just be having bad luck with that for some reason but I don't know.
the reason they only drop gloves is because the idea is to encourage players to group together just as in most mmos that only have one mode of dungeon as a group. well ok I can't say most since I haven't played tons of mmo's but many are set up this way.
I did story mode BT and then some RG to break it up some when that came out to finish my set and I had solo'd a lot of runs to get my set. I did some group runs as well and had no subs. I decided to just save up relics for the boots too in case I didn't get a drop from group runs which is an option. I didn't expect anything quickly so it took me a long time and I know there are players who would rather not have it take a long time however those were my options and I personally was ok with it.
this is the first game I played that had same dungeons with option to play a solo mode one. while it's limited it's really again an option they added later on so sorry but I don't see HC changing this.
games can't accomandate all player styles of game play but I think HC has given it a pretty good try. I just personaly don't expect them to have everything that we all may want just to make us want to play. comes down to trying things out and also seeing what helps balance out game play though it's always going to be imperfect in some way because everyone will have a different play style and opinion on what will make any game better or worse.
I know your very big on the solo concept and there probably are other players feel the same however we all have a choice to play or not to play. either you enjoy the game or you don't and then it's your choice to continue or not to continue.
I enjoy both so I do both and have done so since I started last year. I just never understand why players feel making threats or raging to making it known they may quit or whatever when it's simply a choice so if they are going to not enjoy the way something is they might as well find something they do so they don't have to feel frustrated about it.
jmho