help with gear setup

[Zarvlad]

Missleading in what way?

Also very curious to know.

[Jabo]

Missleading in what way?

The Cuirass would be the best defensive gear if we couldn't set our own stat points.
You can simply take 8 STR and 4 DEX from your stats and put them in VIT, if you use a Haubergeon. In the end you have nearly the same HP, 4-8 additional points for point allotment (=7-9 instead of 6 VIT), the same def, but way higher mag def.
Only the Damage Cut is a bit lower, but I'm not 100% sure about its effectiveness.
You would still have more VIT, though. In the end the pysical def would be similar, but the mag def would be way batter.
The Vintage Haubergeon has also more and cheaper +1,+2 versions. We have even a +3 in the bazaar right now.

@Scape
They are "for free", but it still isn't easy to get them. Especially if you don't have a Rank 50. Than you need help from others and it still can take hours to get it.
In the same time you can get 100-200k from leves and spend them on a +1. Without help.
And with stats I mean, that the stats of the NM weapons aren't good.
The Boar's Bane gives you +4 STR and -1DEX, 128 att, 121 acc, 135 critical, 121 parrying.
The Spiked Iron Labrys +1 has 128 att and 142 acc, 148 critical, 155 parryng.
So you are trading 4 STR for 20acc, 13 critical and 34 parrying and 1 DEX.

Also the money isn't gone. You can sell the weapon later.

If you don't want to spend gil, you can of course do the NM's. It is definitely an alternative.
But I wouldn't recommend it.

[Scape]

I just think its a waste to bother with HQ gear until you are ready for your "50" gear that you will be sticking with for a while. HQ for gear that I will just wear temporarily, maybe even for just a short time, I am not really interested in spending gil on.

But, I know a lot of people who want HQ through all levels, more power to them. I understand where they coming from. But, IMO, not worth it.

[Jabo]

There is way more rank 30 content than rank 50 one. So you will "stick around" more with that gear.
Good gear helps you levelling up, too. Especially weapons.

Also, rank 50 +1's are very expensive.
When the 30 +1's are 2-3 times the price of the base item (200k-300k max), rank 50's will sometimes go up to 10 times the price (2.000k-10.000k.)

I don't think there is a "smart" thing to do, with your +1's rank-wise. You need to know for yourself how long you gonna use this equipment, how useful it is and if the time and money spend on it is appropriate.