Belts = Qi
certain items need certain Qi
Pure = 10k Qi
Elf = 15k Qi
Demon = 20k Qi
and a few others have some minor Qi limits
the new servers have the option of setting a Qi limit so that no one under the set Qi limit can enter the server
and there are pro, semi pro and n00b servers which have Qi limits
so yes, Belts matter in terms of what you can get... But it is not necesarily an indication of skill...