I think the point Arcon is trying to make (and has made pretty clearly to me) is that "Joe Pink" (and I'm already sick of that term) can clear the low tier content for the low tier gear so he will no longer be "Joe Pink". Using that gear and the skills obtained through clearing the low tier he will then be better able to succeed at the higher tier content and have a chance at the better rewards it offers.

Sarick at this point you seem to be ignoring the meat of what Arcon is saying and taking small points out of context and ignoring the overall system he is proposing.

Arcon please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong in my assesment of what you are proposing.