One of the major activities in ESO is PvP in Cyrodiil. However, it is not restricted to just end game players. The game features a bolster system which raises the stats of anyone sub-level 50. Currently, I am level 10, but able to compete thanks to being bolstered. You will still be at a disadvantage to 50's though, as they can increase their stats beyond the bolster level.
Your items, when below level 50, don't really matter. You could strip down to your underwear and have the same stats as you did with armor. It is important to note that Skill Points do still make a difference. For example, I increased the Resolve passive in the Heavy Armor skill line which increases armor and spell resistance by a percentage. These values affected the bolstered values, so how you spend your skill points does matter.
Are the bolster values enough? It is too early for me to tell. I die awful quickly, but I'm will to chalk that up to my own ignorance of how PvP works in ESO. Plus, it is beta. I am really happy that they have a bolster system though, I love to PvP as early as possible.
