Sure skill matters, but gear should matter too. Look at like this. You don't go into vault of glass with sub par gear and expect to survive, regardless of how skilled you are. You need the proper gear along with enough skill to beat it. It should be the same for Iron Banner. Especially given the way they marketed it and how it was back in testing days. Skill is not ignored, but neither is gear. If a lower level goes into Iron Banner without the proper equipment then yes they deserve to be at a drastic disadvantage. It is their fault for going in there unprepared. This event exists for those who are properly prepared and have enough skill to participate in it. Just like its pve counterpart Vault of Glass. People who lean on gear may be able to roflstomp lower level noobs with crap gear, but that doesn't mean skill is completely ignored. People with both skill and gear will still rise to the top and dominate people who have the gear but no skill. Low levels have no place in Iron Banner seeing as its an event you need to build your character up for and practice for Iron Banner as it is now might as well just be regular crucible and we have no need for another one of those.