I also agree with Destian and I applaud how well you stated the problem. I am excited about this game and cant wait for release. I think this could be one of the industry leaders with not too many changes but this issue would be a good canidate for change. I like pvp and enjoy world pvp but getting one shot over and over again by a player only a couple levels higher than you isnt pvp. I think a lot of people would/do find this very frustration and may choose to not experiance the rest of the game because of it.
agree 100% remove level multiplier for PvP, getting 1 shoted by someone a mere 4 levels of me is ridic.
The problem is somewhat a combo of both gear and level. It IS mostly level though. Its easy to witness yourself. Check by dueling naked vs a friend a couple of levels lower or higher than you (+ or -3). Make sure you use an old weapon (as would be available to your lower lvl opponent) as well. Watch as you annihilate them and they hit you for pitiful damage, its bad enough that at +5lvls or so you can kill them with your starter (isle of dawn) weapon with ridiculous numbers.
The added endurance and wep power acquired through leveling only exacerbates the problem. However the problem is greatly centered around the def, atk, and crit adjust that occurs based on level difference.
I dunno, hitting the mystics box for ~62,000 at level 23 and ~82,000 at level 25 with the exact same frickin' axe might lend a little credence to the theory. Note that I hadn't gone to pick up my level 24 talents at the time, either.