Importance of Gear

[GoatOfWar]

You can clear the normal content by rolling your forehead over your keyboard.
No, it doesn't matter. Gear only matters in the content you actually get it from (Savage and extremes) Which usually boils down to the current 4 savage fights and an extreme.
You just have to roll your forehead over your keyboard a bit less in normal content once you get better gear.
FF's endgame is very shallow compared to that of some other MMO's unfortunately, and a lot more niche than in, say, World of Warcraft. Where the endgame is the main appeal, and where the game begins.