Better to have gear slightly above or below optimal rank?

[darrow]

When I can't find anything exactly at my rank in the bazaar, am I better off with underranked or slightly overranked gear (heard that comes with stat and wear penalties)?

[origamikitsune]

As a general rule, under-ranked gear is better. There are a few exceptions, but they are few, and they are far between. All things being equal, if your goal is optimal performance then under-leveled is what you want. Whether or not you get one or two points extra for using over-ranked gear will probably be overshadowed by the new repair system. That is, under-ranked gear takes more damage, and you now have gear damage as a death/return penalty. This applies mostly to people who solo and do not have someone to raise them.

[Galka75]

Well i have to say. Is better to equip some piece of armor 10+ ranks above your rank than a piece 10+ ranks lower than your rank. BUT now whit the duration decrese fixed (if u match the rank will last long time and if u not will broke so fast) is better go whit a lower rank piece. Becouse will be in good conditions for a long time.

My advice... Try to get some NMs armors for rank 30 and keep that till rank 50 raid gear. Atm only a tanker will get benefits of defense and dmg cut of rank 45-48 normal gear (whiout good stats). Instead of NM ekip which give u accuracy. Evasion. Hp. Magic accu. Etc.