User blog comment:DJCannon/Hard mode from level 1/@comment-6298283-20130801042812

Equipment may not help much at level 1 on hard mode. By level 10 you'll probably be rich enough to buy the best equipment available in-game at the time and it won't help.

The reason why is on hard mode, you take much more damage and use more stamina per skill used. Overpowering equipment may leave you with a sliver of health after 1 hit but you'll more than likely be one-shotted than that happening. Overpowering equipment will also cause you to use even more stamina.

Honestly, the best thing for hard mode starting from level 1 until 30ish is:

Save often.

Block (if a fighter)

or Ranged Attacks only/Dodge (if Strider, Ranger, Assasin or Magic Archer)