The Sentinel+ thing. Do that. Make that a thing. I can import my characters as needed or wanted. I'll say it right now: Some I made I wouldn't miss too much, but some? I definitely want them back if possible, to the point that I'll placeholder them and rebuild them the long way if I need to... but I'd rather not.
So, if not, then this, for the first month or possibly two after the servers come back up:
1) Max character slots available per server, period, no exceptions.
2) All costume parts available, period, no exceptions.
3) All ATs and powers therto available, period, no exceptions.
For most accounts, these three get deactivated after the first month or two, and it's back to whatever the rules were for freebie and premium. So get in early, or suffer the fate of your slowness.
But there are two more to deal with:
4) VIP accounts (subscribers, like I'll be) will have NO THING UNAVAILABLE TO THEM. EVER. Provided their VIP status is in good standing. New content, new parts, new powers, new ATs, whatever... we get them as part of our subscription as a thank you for the monthly contribution. While I might need to acquire INF or salvage or whatever to acquire some bits or pieces, or go through mission A to get to mission set B or whatever, I do not have to pay for it extra to get it. It just is available to me because I already pay up per month on a monthly rate. The Paragon Rewards thing does not apply except to Tier 9+ stuff, whereupon we get double the monthly stipend for the VIP points.
5) For any character started in the first month or two (as specified above) that character, for it's duration, will get free INF for levelling. Enough to cover the cost of slotting all the powers you have at that level with all of the most expensive T/S/D Origin items available at a 'regular' store. IOs aren't included, salvage and recipies aren't included. That INF stipend is in addition to whatever you earn in battle.
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And while I don't think any of that will come to pass, that's what I'd do, to both celebrate the return of the City, as well as reward us for the patience and belief that it would come to pass.
Here's to my being right or wrong, but the City lives regardless.