there are some noticeable differences between a lowbie using hero gear (including weapons) and a hero using them.

Saying they are going to tear up their range because of the damage they do is just a pile of crap.

For a start, people who maximise damage often skimp on saves, and are a push-over for a skilled maladictor (I include thieves in this), even at lower ranks.

Those who stay at lowbie rank to pk any they can are not usually the most skilled, and therefore are not usually that hard to kill.

Even the dirt-disarm tactic (TM) will kill these guys easily if done right. That doesn't mean march up to them on eastern road and kick dirt in their face though, unless you want to die. It means wait for a mob to disarm them, then kick dirt in their face before they grab they weapon back.

For someone banned, you still seem to have a lot of problems with game balance. I assume your ban was overturned and that you wouldn't be stupid enough to post here otherwise.

But generally, I think you just picked your target badly. His damage is nothing special (and that's coming from someone who is happy to play hero fighting classes with under 20 damroll). What killed you is your inability to defend yourself. That isn't down to spam practice. It is down to weapon matchup or the fact he's with a transmuter.