You are being rude if you need to start the sentence saying "Dont mean to sound rude", Gear for your class and rank set the right skill's and try out the patch abit longer.
I was rank 8, wearing rank 1 starter gear. I was equipped with a WS, bloodbath, second wind, heavy thrust and something else I can't remember. This char is rather new and doesn't have a ton of skills unlocked, but what I have should be MORE than sufficient. I can't afford rank 8 gear because everyone in the wards jacked up their prices even higher now that everyone has to trash their old gear. However, rank 1 weathered gear is still decent at level 8 and in no way should I have as many issues soloing because of it.

Maybe wear gear for your level? and it would hit less? if the optimal level is red then you shit out of luck. get yourself gear for your level and mob don't hit hard i'm on a 16 class without issue.
See above, I know how to play the game. Been playing since launch, just started a new character recently when I came back. They hit harder than pre-patch by far. Anyone who doesn't see that is blind. It's not just them hitting harder though, it's the fact that battles take FAR longer for less sp rewards at low levels.