Are melds and super gear really necessary?

[Penguin]

You definitely will not get Moogle's speedrun without Ifrit's bow however.

Not really true.

If everyone is doing similar dps the dps requirement to hit the 10 minute timer is just over 70 dps, its quite easily possible to hit 75+ maybe even 80+ with a crab bow and that is also with very little melds.

Basically knowing how to maximise damage without killing yourself > gear currently.

Edit: In terms of tanks and healers, gear definitely has a much bigger impact than it does for dps.