Quote Originally Posted by blowfin View Post
I'd say you're almost certainly wasting your gil by melding that gear.
^^ This ^^

Let's see. Market price for AF items typically runs 15-30K per piece, then you have your set of jewelry which is cross class. Yes, you do need to get all 8 HQ AF sets for your DoH, but start with just one so you can start making your own sets for other classes.

I do not know about your server, but on mine, the IVs materia usually goes for 100K piece, and I know you will need at least 2 of them for the set, therefore, you just wasted 200K, which that can easily buy you 2-3 full AF sets for the 8 DoH classes.

Applying the max meld thread, fully meld the jewelry, plus just initial body meld, legs, and feet, will bring your basic stat to 353/348/345(388 w/food), which is more then plenty for making any HQ 2 stars. With my WVR at 3 shy at full meld, I am at 397/376/345. With only body to 4th meld, hands/legs/feet to 2nd meld, you will be sitting pretty at 389/363/345 with Artisan tool.

I highly suggest do it right from the get go, however expensive it may look at first.

jc