Removing leveling from a CRPG is a bad idea. Gamers need the illusion that their character is improving through their actions, whether it be through xp, gear, or a combination of both.

If you removed this process you are doubling down on everything that people have been complaining about with DT and turning the game into an interactive novel with even LESS player input/control.

Let the devs worry about stats/balance issues. If they do a squish, so be it, everyone will move on, but progression is a must in an RPG. The player must feel like they are gaining power.

It's not like leveling in this game is difficult anyway.