Retainer exploration items

[Renius]

They just seem to bring back useless items now that they are higher level. How does this make any sense?

[Enkidoh]

It's based on gear level, theoretically the higher the item level of the gear you equipped them with, the greater the chance the retainer will bring back better items (the game even states this upon completing a venture, that 'better gear will yield better items' (paraphrased).

Unfortunately each time the highest possible ilevel for gear is raised with content patches, this then also means that retainer gear that was satisfactory, now isn't. As long as you're not equipping a level 70 retainer with item level 1 gear you should still be getting reasonable items - any green and blue gear they bring back that you have no use or need for just trade in for seals at your GC, and sell everything else. Even if stuff only sells for small amounts it's better than nothing.

[Elamys]

Unfortunately each time the highest possible ilevel for gear is raised with content patches, this then also means that retainer gear that was satisfactory, now isn't.

I leveled my WHM retainer from 60 to 68 on quick exploration ventures, wearing the old augmented hailstorm set that I had shoved off. I was still given the 'Your retainer's gear should increase chances of finding rare items" message. My suspicion is that you actually have to fall within a bracket of item levels - one for 50, one for 60, and one for 70. At 68 I just farmed Halgai Manes and that's how I finished leveling (I had to switch gear for that).

I also leveled all five of my gathering retainers this way and still had that message all the way to 70.

[MicahZerrshia]

I actually have been getting fairly decent things in quick ventures. All of DoW/M have gone from 50+ on quicks and though there are still the occasional duds I have gotten quite a few funs things like housing items, primal weapons and things like Sophia orbs and ravana wings.

I am thrilled at no longer getting fish 7/10 ventures!

My only wish is that they would have a small chance of bringing primal + other various mounts. Even a small small chance would be better than none and actually encourage me to keep my retainers more up to date and on the go.

[TallonOverworld]

They should just update the whole system. I had a warrior and smn retainers both geared to ~i290. I switched smn with fisher as maybe i get something more valuable.
Getting a draconian potion is no longer an item most rare (lol) and i just got tired of throwing away the garbage armor they bring, not to mention my retainers have an attitude to bring tons of i110 gear for some reason... For quick exploration they should either update the rare list or reduce the chances of getting low lvl items.

[LalaSpuedo]

My black mage retainer is lvl 80 Ilvl 500. Mostly bring back hq it's when I send them out but quick ventures gear is worthless when all my classes are 80 maxed. Just wish they would bring back more than 10 at a time.