offensive/defensive caps pre 50

[soronil]

So as a 40 SK, my weapon skills and offensive skill are the highest they will be until 50. My defensive skill will cap at level 42 (until 5)

Does that mean that my hit chance, and my chance to be hit, a mob of a certain level (say, a level 42 mob) will not change from level 42 to level 50? Assuming gear is the same, am I as effective of a damage dealer (or tank minus scaling HP per STA) at level 42 as i am at level 50? And the mob i can realistically solo for EXP now, is the same mob i will have to be soloing at level 50? If not, why?

If so, 8 levels of your character not really becoming any stronger (in a twinked blue world) is kind of the pits, huh?

Thanks