Thanks Phatdan! And thank you all for your advice!
Also, to clarify, it's NOT that gear doesn't matter, it makes little difference. Little difference CAN go a long way but what good is gear when the person using it doesn't know what to do with it effectively. I have a low amount of gear becuase I focus more on the fight. I'm not promoting naked runs against High End Mobs either, but time becomes critical in these situations. Even macroing gear takes precious seconds that could be costly to the group, but I do see the need to do so depending on certain situations.
And yes, it can be possible to out power Tarus (longshot though it may be) but it requires a team effort.

Standalone power is something I MIGHT have to concede to but MBing over my RIVAL is a possibility. That requires skill (He has it, yes, but that's not what I'm arguing

), and no amount of gear, potions, items and/or buffs can change that.
Finally, the gear only helps if your skills in magic and such are already capped. For example, what good is it for a 75 BLM to cast Drain with BLM AF1 Pants if your Dark magic is 20 levels under cap? (Sorry, not the best at making examples but humor the idea) Chances are you have a higher chance of being resisted than anything else, and the MP and time needed to use it was wasted. People tend to be so gear-heavy that they forget they have to skill up their abilities and not let the gear make up for their 'deficiencies'. But enough preaching; probably offended the whole LS for what I said anyways. Still, I am ALWAYS greatful for the knowledge and support of fellow adventurers like yourselves. >.<)b
Sincerely,
Kuwa
PS. One step closer to my goal, and thus my destiny! /hurray