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

[Rubicon]

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

[Arcell]

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

100% true, as much as I love the optimal system that is the biggest glaring flaw. The penalties should show much more clearly in the gear menu when equipping things.

In addition to that, it could use a harsher penalty out of optimal rank to more strongly suggest players use proper rank gear, especially at 10+ ranks out. Also the system could benefit from sets with bonuses as well as bonuses for wearing things at or above the optimal rank, as others have suggested in other threads.

[Pyrix]

Wait wait wait... you get a penalty for wearing something above? I thought it was "you have to be this level or higher."