Ah okay -- in this, gear seems.... I don't know. I've used lower power level gear because the stats were better than higher power level gear. Probably be different once end game hits. Maybe. Lol. We'll have to wait and see xD

Monsters seem to scale with you from what I've noticed, except for in certain areas that were a fixed level. Most were scaled though.

So far I'm not too sure about mercs and companions and I was wondering the same thing. As you go throughout some story areas, a follower tags along... but so far I haven't noticed anything about them joining me and me being able to equip them with gear and give them some helpful talents. From what I was reading in an article a while back, they weren't planning on including followers at launch... that kind of leaves it open for later on though. xD "At launch."