You need to grind money incessantly and level transmutation. Transmutation is not optional, augmentation is. This is not necessarily a fun stage of the game, you need a LOT of money and can't even farm good content yet.

GK requirements: 400-500 armor. And 3k burst damage over 4-5 moves or lower damage and a couple of heals. You will be leeching off of others even if you meet my "requirements", please disclose your weak status to the leader. The worst thing that can happen while leading is you start fighting and realize you have 3-4 leeches.