Board Thread:Questions and Answers Forum/@comment-25588576-20141215140258/@comment-165.123.219.141-20150121000707

Even if the gear itself is not from the Dark Below, there was an update that came out the same day the DLC did that allowed stronger weapons (with 331 attack) and armor (33-36 light). You can get these weapons and armor without the DLC, such as buying gear from a faction, the crucible vendor, or the vanguard vendor.