It's almost impossible to level a new character now. What gives, SE?

[AmyRae]

You don't get any decent gear while leveling until ~20. Using high level gear penalizes you too much.

Your stats are terrible until ~20, so you have to rest every 1-3 mobs. It's also nearly impossible to fight any monster more than 2 levels above you.

You cannot complete any leve that isn't below your level. The linking mobs will destroy you. Leves now occasionally fail if you die.

When you put it that way...

...it actually sounds like the way it should be.