Not to sound picky or just like a jerk, though I probably already do. However alot of the spells and weapons/armor in this game are only available past certain parts of the story.

ie... for instance not to pick on Renmiri, but level 40 can vary alot, between wearing Maximillian armor, weilding deathbringers, with bubble belts, and all magic unlocked at the end of the game. Farmed alot of LP in low exp places like Lhusu and got money from there as well. Then the player is coming back to beat gil snapper...

or..

Overleveled to 40 in the early game on werewolves maybe and tried gil snapper when it becomes available, but only have cura/etc that is available then, and haven't got bubble belts, bravery, faith, etc...
Also only have shop bought weapons and armor... nothing special.

The first option will totally and utterly destroy the gil snapper without a second thought..

The latter might have alot of trouble, but overleveling to 40 at that point would probably give a substantial gil bonus, so armor and weapons should be up to par

Just saying theres alot more to consider than just "level X"

Level X with 15 defense armor, 40 damage weapons, no augments, level 2 healing, level 1 elemental spells, no bubble/faith/bravery.. is different from
Level X with 58 defense armor, 100 damage weapons, full license board, all spells, etc...

Bubble alone makes a huge boost to being able to take marks. Protect and Shell as well.

Sorry for being the jerk
/hides from everyone