how much of this server can you do with 2-4?

[mystickitty]

VEU!

I see a ghost!

[Sian]

end of the year's ghost !
Well, as others said, donor gear is really amazing, and I would say that if :
_ you don't plan on donating
_ don't want to do content without donor
_ can't box more than two
_ no mq

You should really find a guild, which has the same view as you (they do exist), and you will be able to progress at your own pace. You will then enjoy and discover the customed work done here and still have a feeling of old EQ, without trivializing anything.
You don't have to be heavily donor gear, but it's true that there are some key donor items that make things easier, but as Kitty said (always listen Kitty!), you can be 100% donor gear and still play so bad that you can barely do anything. You can't donate for skills

But I don't think that you will be able to do t9 without using stuff I mentionned, or you will be able to do t9 when t13 is out