My understanding: (Destiny)

by CruelLEGACEY , Toronto, Friday, August 28, 2015, 18:28 (3612 days ago) @ Ragashingo

Level is now based on experience. Presumably you can reach level 40 with the starting gun and armor if you grind long enough. That's where I'm unclear. If I'm level 40 and go to Mars wearing my starting armor will the Cabal one shot me? Or will it be like now where a Level 20 Guardian on Mars wearing white armor is somewhat weaker but can still put up a good fight?

The way I have interpreted all of this is as follows:

Your rank (1-40) has nothing to do with you attack or defense levels. All of those values are now tied to your gear. The reason your 1-40 rank matters is that your rank determines what gear you are able to equip. In other words, the higher your rank, the better the gear you are able to equip, thus making you more powerful.