2.5 and Poetics...

[ArkNova]

I expect the staring gear for the expansion to be on par with poetics or slightly better. This is also why I think that the WoD loot lockout will be removed prior to the expansion. This would give all players the ability to get i120 gear for as many jobs as they would like in preparation for this.

When you refer poetic gear are you referring to pre upgrade or post upgrade?
Also with WoD more then likely rewarding i120 gear and dropping the items needed to upgrade poetic gear to i130, I can't see them breaking the pattern they've been following since 2.0 came out.

Wait, will there be a 2.6?

There wont be a 2.6 but 3.0 will be a fresh even start, on even updates so far coils and CT raids switch to uncap and every other even patch new tome gear is introduced along with new crafted gear.