We've come a long way since the original "Shiradi Shuricannon" build, thanks dominantly to more items and enhancements available in Heroic leveling.
You don't have to wait until Epic levels to be a punishing player.

In the less-stressful Hardcore Season V, I've joined with guildmates to clear to Level 20. But now there are two starthrowers in our party, and the results are impressive.

But perhaps more impressive to me in this season are the various causes of death for players on this permadeath server. Causes which have been instant, horrible, sometimes humorous. But in most cases, by ways that are preventable or with mitigation options.