Guild Wars 2

Title says it. Do I need to be max level with good gear to do even the first ones or can you do them at the level they unlock at?

You can start doing dungeons at the level they unlock, but if you are trying to get into an LFG check out this: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/dungeons/New-players-guide-how-not-to-get-kicked/first#post4825464

Basically those doing the story will generally be level appropriate, but if you are looking to do the explorable paths, most people expect a level 80 geared out.
Start your own LFG asking for others willing to teach, and you shouldn’t have a problem.

No you don’t need to be max level and good gear to complete a dungeon.
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Dungeon

Here a list of dungeon, with the minimum level for the story and the explorable (story is mostly 5 level lower)

But there is a limiting factor. As a low level you bring less to the party and the fact that you are new will make you even less contributing to the party. You probably have a better time to get into dungeon when you are level 80 (gear not that important, most ppl get exotic by doing dungeons).

But its important that you don’t join any LFG. Reading the description is the most important thing you can do. Even better either join a guild that will explain the dungeon or post your own lfg specifying that you are new and that you are willing to learn.

If you just join any group you probably gonna have a horrible experience, maybe get kicked out, you’ll be disappointed and maybe never want to do dungeon anymore. Ppl ran those dungeon for the last two years and they usually explain a lot in their own guild. When they pugs dungeon they usually don’t want to carry or explain again to a new guys that they will never see again. A specific lfg will make sure you join a group that is willing and have the time/patience to explain the dungeon to you. That will make your and their experience way better.

Wait until 80 when you actually have traits

You can do it earlier, but I would advise you to be level 80 with full traits and at least some exotic gear.

Doing it earlier is uphill, both ways.

I’ve leveled a new character over the last couple of weeks, that I did all story dungeons (except Arah) and quite a few low-level explorable dungeons on while leveling, in whatever gear and traits I had available at the time. It certainly is doable and lots of fun (at times more fun than just breezing through with fully equipped 80s ), with the small catch that you will encounter a bunch of people who won’t care to play with a low-level.

For example, I did SE p1+3 with a good friend. Both of us are very experienced in the dungeon as well as the classes we played (it was actually my 3rd mesmer to 80), but we’ve had several people join the party from lfg, see a lvl 6x mesmer in the roster, and quite the party again immediately, without even saying “hi”. Their loss .

Easiest way to jump in is to post your own lfgs, stating that you’re new to dungeons and below level 80. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun exploring and learning all the paths, probably even a good bit more than waiting until you are lvl 80 and fully equipped just to race through with a bunch of non-talkative pugs. You may even learn the paths better, since at lvl 80 there are quite a few mechanics simply ignored in the lower level dungeons thanks to the sheer damage the group puts out.

Rasimir.6239:

at lvl 80 there are quite a few mechanics simply ignored in the lower level dungeons thanks to the sheer damage the group puts out.

This is true. So, I suggest waiting until level 80 and doing dungeons as a trio or duo.

It’s much more fun than with a full party. Boss mechanics actually come into play as you can’t burn them down instantly — so it’s more challenging. To balance this, you have traits to experiment with.

Lictor Alpha.3724:

Title says it. Do I need to be max level with good gear to do even the first ones or can you do them at the level they unlock at?

80 if you want to be useful.
You could do it at a lower level with friends or guildies, but in general PUGs will most likely kick when they see you join.