I didn't realize how big the difference in gear really made until last week. I'm out trying to finish out some quests that I didn't know existed in the lvl 45-50 zones of Belsavis or somewhere. I ride by a lvl 50 and he hits me as I'm riding by. I lost about 1/4 of health in my recruit gear. So, I drive just out of site, get off my mount, heal up in anticipation of going back and owning this guy. We both had the same idea and meet halfway. Before I can CC his companion I died. 3 hits by this guy. Incredible.