I don't think it's "knocked back" per se, you [b]ARE[/b] 20. Take off your armor, or put on green or white armor, and your level drops. If your guardian could walk around naked, you'd be 20. The armor you wear buffs you to 34, but [b]YOU[/b]... as yourself... are [b]NOT[/b] 34. Without that armor, you're 20... and too weak for the events that matter. You are a weak, useless for end game content, guardian. Weak and sad. Sorry, but it's true. Currently we're 20 and too weak for end game enemies. So like handicapped guardians we need armor to make us worth a damn, to carry us. With the level changes in TTK, the guardian becomes strong... as themselves, for who they are... and the armor is just a tool. Not a crutch that's required to make us worthy or to make us matter.