What exactly is the penalty for wearing non-optimal gear for your rank?

[Rubicon]

What penalty is exactly incurred if you wear gear over your actual rank?

For example, a R10 CON wears a R26 Canvas Robe favoring CON at stats MP:+37 MND:+2 Craft:+11 M. Craft:+7.

Does the player receive a percentage of these stats or none at all? Does the stat/rank difference take effect at 1+Optimal Rank or a higher threshold?

[viion]

They will receive a % and it will be blow optimal

Example for wepuns
Too low = 60%
Optimal = 100%
Too high = 60%

Percentage on all stats, though things like defence it is much lower penality and sometimes even 100% as optimal.

[Viridiana]

Basically, your hypothetical r10 CON would get at least the same stats out of the r26 Canvas Robe as he would out of the r6 Hempen Robe, with most of the stats actually being a little bit higher. However, it should be noted that every single robe he's under the optimal rank of will scale to the exact same points if they're equipped at the same level. So, the stats he receives at r10 would be the same for a Cotton Robe (r16), Canvas Robe (r26), Velveteen Robe (r36), or Vintage Robe (r48). This is true for all armor pieces and weapons, but I don't think it's true for tools.

[MariyaShidou]

You don't get penalised when you're over optimal.

[Rhomagus]

It deteriorates at an increased rate if you're wearing non-optimal gear. At least it did just prior to the 1.18.

[Arcell]

It does still deteriorate at an increased rate, weapons especially.

[Viridiana]

It deteriorates at an increased rate if you're wearing non-optimal gear. At least it did just prior to the 1.18.

^^That, too, but it's a little less noticeable on armor. On weapons and tools, though. . . ouch.

[Jabo]

It works basically like that.

Assuming a rank 45 weapons with 145 attack and 10STR

@rank 45 145 10STR
@rank 44 132 10STR
@rank 43 130 9 STR
@rank 42 128 9 STR
@rank 41 126 8 STR
@rank 40 124 8 STR

+1 stuff is always a +5%.
Equipment below optimal rank degrades 3-4times faster.

Also what Viridiana said.

[MeowyWowie]

The only time I've ever noticed any difference in performance is when crafting tools go below 50% durability. Weapons and armor don't seem to be affected at all still, as far as I can tell. However, I never let the gear damage icon appear, always repair before gear falls under 35% (tools @ 50%).

As far as gear damage goes, there's hardly any difference except for weapons and tools.

Edit: Seems I missed the main point of the thread lol.

On topic, the effects of wearing gear that does not favor your class or your rank is so miniscule that, more often than not, you're better off wearing armor above your rank. Weapons and tools on the other hand show a significant reduction in stats under the same circumstances. The system needs a lot of tweaking.

[Rubicon]

Thanks to everyone who has replied. What is clear is that the Optimal Rank system is not presented to the player very clearly. :/