Quote Originally Posted by Jeeqbit View Post
This has always been an issue and it has to do with how syncing works. Trials and raids are not item level synced, only level synced, so max level trials and raids are synced to the maximum item level of the expansion.
This is a very good point, and I would also like to add that many of the sprouts the OP feels so sorry for do not yet realize that they can use their tomestones to buy the best gear for a given expansion every ten levels. At least, that was the case for me when I hit level 60 and started receiving massive beat downs from overworld mobs when attempting Heavensward content in my item level 55 gear. That's why there's a "minimum item level/no echo" option for players who want to tackle challenges in premade groups.