Interesting. When he says "there is a huge difference inside the numbers themselves", is he referring to a potentially huge gap within level 8 (as in a duelist at the top of level 8 is much better than a duelist at the bottom of level 8)?
Also, what's the exact wording in the quote where Gillard says Anakin is tier 8 and becomes tier 9 when he taps into the dark side?