Optimal rank and favors?

[Bizzaro]

Hello players I'm kinda new at this and I really like the game but I am confused about how optimal rank and favors work. I know you need to be close to your rank for gear but what is the penalty for wearing gear thats not your optimal rank? Also same thing with gear that favors certain disiples, what happens if you wear items that dont favor you? sorry about the noob questions just really want to play this right. Thanks for any help that you can give. See you in game

[Ferth]

Gear basically tiers down in effectiveness until you reach the optimal rank, at which point you get the exact listed stats.

Wearing gear that does not favor your class provides a stat penalty as well as tiering down the stats if you are not at the optimal level.

That being said it doesn't always work out that optimal gear is the best... My 32 gla gets more defense from the 38 bronze plate, bronze gauntlets and bronze sabatons than from any other gear I've tried.

You can actually see the effects of non-optimal gear by equipping it. You just need to do some simple math.

[VydarrTyr]

Ferth is absolutely right. Wearing gear that's got an Optimal Rank -- or that doesn't favor your class -- means you don't get the full benefit of the gear's stats. But for gear, the decrease in stats scales, meaning that it's still possible that higher level gear will give you better stats.

However, using weapons or tools above your level causes a severe reduction in the stats. So it's almost always better to use weapons and tools at or below your level.

[Loth]

Not to mention that using equipment while you are below optimal rank will cause it to wear out at a faster pace.

[Bizzaro]

Ok makes since and thanks for the reply's. Also Thats one reason why I like playing this game besides it's fun is the community for the most part are very helpful! Bye and see you in game