QUOTE(JonG829 @ Aug 28 2009, 04:00)

I think gear is still unbalanced at low levels, and it is generally easier down here. But other than that, I suppose it's due to awesome weapons and good armor. They move 2 times for every time I move once, but they can barely scratch me, and I hit hard and almost never miss.
After looking every thing over I think it's definitely the equipment that's making the big difference. My best piece is "average" quality and that's the quality of your worst piece. I've just been wearing whatever I could get.
My proficiencies are interestingly higher then yours, I have a 12 in dual wield and a 9 in heavy armor. I haven't noticed much difference as they went up either.
Your stats are more focused on a warrior archetype (i'm balanced stats-wise), but I don't think a few points more in endurance or strength would make me that much stronger.
I need to redo my abilities, I was casting a lot before armor and now my interference is too high, that could actually be noticeable, but not win battletoads noticeable.
So I think the bottom line for me is that I should invest in the highest grades of equipment.
Thanks a lot for the info.