Does equipping your retainer matter if you're going for pure exp?

Now if you're trying to get the most out of the items your retainer brings back you would want to deck them out in level appropriate HQ gear... but do you really need to?

I sent out my two retainers yesterday, a botanist in full hq gathering gear, and an arcanist dressed up like a snowman.

Both returned with an HQ item set and the same amount of experience. It's hard to say since it's just the first run but it seems that how "well" they're equiped doesn't immediately effect how much they level, but just the quality of the items they get since SE did mention that much.

The only risk I'm worried about is if SE programed in a failure scenario where if your retainer is underequiped they can't complete their mission... but I don't know if I'm over thinking that much.

I sent out retainers on ventures with simple level 1 primary hands. Mog hat & dream tunic on one, behemoth helm & snowman tunic on the other... & no armor on the third. I noticed no difference in the results. I got some normal items, hq items & allagan pieces from two & 15 lightning shards from the third.

Nope, I equipped a weapon and thats all it is getting until it can use the gear in my inventory.

I'd be interested to see someone send a retainer out on a level 20+ mission with only a level 1 weapon/tool. Levels 1-10 don't tell us much. If you think about it, you can easily solo mobs your level naked for a little while, so the retainer can probably manage as well.

As stated by the notes, their average item level affects overall results on what you obtain (especially in terms of HQ), exp I'm not sure yet. So sending your retainer out in event gear and swimsuits will do far less for you lol (even the quest retainer stated this basically.)

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Originally Posted by Tupsi

As stated by the notes, their average item level affects overall results on what you obtain (especially in terms of HQ), exp I'm not sure yet. So sending your retainer out in event gear and swimsuits will do far less for you lol (even the quest retainer stated this basically.)

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That's what I was thinking too.

I fitted my Botanist in all level 1 HQ gear (apart from tool) and set them out for exploration last night. I'm not expecting great results at level 1, but maybe at the later levels it'll make a difference.

do they get the exp bonus from the moogle hat/helm of light/garlean goggles?