Quote Originally Posted by RiyahArp View Post
um NQ whites are worse than shire gear, I think. NQ gear in general is very bad when leveling, it's worse than the gear you get for dungeons.
Of course it is worse than gear you get from dungeons. But if you put on gear that is a higher level, their "gimped" stats are still higher than the stats of the "superior" gears that are for lower levels.

Augmented Shire Custodian armor (ilvl270, lvl60 blue armor) have 480 defense, 480 magic defense, 169 strength, 190 vitality, 90 skill speed and 129 direct hit.
Doman Steel Tabard of Fending (ilvl279, lvl66 white armor) have 607 defense, 607 magic defense, 167 strength, 179 vitality, 99 skill speed and 142 tenacity.
Gazelleskin Coat of Fending (ilvl285, lvl68 white armor) have 723 defense, 723 magic defense, 176 strength, 182 vitality, 170 determination and 119 tenacity.

As you can see, at lvl66 the normal quality armor (you can buy from an NPC) is 25% better in defense and magical defense, only slightly lower in strength and only 11 points worse in vitality. Lvl68 normal quality armor (you can buy from NPC) is 50% better in defense and magical defense, 7 points higher in strength and only 8 points less in vitality. I won't compare secondary stats due to those being varied across multiple pieces and I compare only the body. And due to the fact that defense first and primary stats second are the ones really important. And starting at lvl66 at the latest, your performance will go up if you use NPC gear than augmented shire gear.

In other words...at lvl68 buy the gear for tank if you don't have it from earlier drops. At least for top, pants and weapon, even if just normal quality, if you're cheap. That will make a world of difference.