Low Level Accessories Useless?

[Enkidoh]

The 'weathered' accessories weren't originally in the game though - they were only added to all new characters starting the game in a recent patch to make it easier for new characters just starting. Originally a new character only started the game with a weapon and racial gear, their belt and accessories slots were empty (although a new character also got a special ring that was determined by how you answered the merchant on the ferry or chocobo carriage).

Hence the vendor/crafted rings from level 1 and above with minor stat increases, they might be more or less obsolete stat wise but they've only just become obsolete recently.

[Trussblink]

The 'weathered' accessories weren't originally in the game though - they were only added to all new characters starting the game in a recent patch to make it easier for new characters just starting. Originally a new character only started the game with a weapon and racial gear, their belt and accessories slots were empty (although a new character also got a special ring that was determined by how you answered the merchant on the ferry or chocobo carriage).

Hence the vendor/crafted rings from level 1 and above with minor stat increases, they might be more or less obsolete stat wise but they've only just become obsolete recently.

Ah, that makes perfect sense; thank you for that- I was just confused as to why some of the quest reward options, as far as accessories went, seemed so poor, relative to the other options, or what I already had equipped; when do accessories generally start appearing that overtake the recently introduced "newbie accessories"?

[Niwashi]

when do accessories generally start appearing that overtake the recently introduced "newbie accessories"?

Earrings:
DoW: Level 20 Brass Ear Cuffs (HQ or Aetherial)*
DoM: Level 28/29** Lapis Lazuli or Malachite Earrings for healers, Danburite Earrings for casters
DoH: Level 15 Fang Earrings
DoL: Level 7 Copper Earrings

Necklace:
DoW: Level 26 Silver Gorget
DoM: Level 27 Horn Necklace
DoH: Level 9 Copper Choker
DoL: Level 5 Leather Choker

Bracelets:
DoW: Level 27 Goatskin Wristbands
DoM: Level 26 Silver Wristlets
DoH: Level 16 Brass Wristlets of Crafting
DoL: Level 17 Hard Leather Wristbands of Gathering

Ring:
DoW: (1) Level 1/15*** Brand-new Ring & (1) Level 24 Flame/Serpent/Storm Private's Ring
DoM: (1) Level 1/15*** Brand-new Ring & (1) Level 19 Coral Ring (HQ or Aetherial)*
DoH: Level 18 Brass Ring of Crafting
DoL: Level 20 Goatskin Ring


* Brass Ear Cuffs (Level 20 DoW) and Coral Ring (Level 19 DoM) only beat the level 1 weathered accessories if they're High Quality or Aetherial. The Normal Quality ones don't.
** The Aetherial versions of Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, and Danburite Earrings are available at level 28. Crafted/quest/vendor version is level 29
*** The Brand-new Ring is equippable at level 1, but only by secondary classes, because you have to reach level 15 to do the training that rewards it.