I have 3 sets of combat skills of level 70 with gear. I am maxed (all main ones that are useful to me and i.e. at least 70+) in all tradeskills and I can assure you that tradeskilled gear is NOT better than drop gear. The only exception I can think of offhand to that is with staffs (even that is debatable as the GK staffs for staff fighting are better)
My mistake, I meant hardcore as in playing a lot at the top end not as in hardcore gear which is borked at the moment as you quite rightly said.
@Niph Yes I could stay in the entrance but I cant solo so I would need at least one other and tbh my life isnt that bad when I need to stay somewhere hoping that people *might* turn up and find that when they do they already are in a group of 6..... cause they are unlikely to go there without 6 stated in your post :)