Newbie question about armor

[grantnk]

I just started playing EQ2 last night after a few days of looking into it. So far I love my swashy (she's a lvl 7 now)! And just as a side note I think EQ2 is much better than WoW <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Anyways, I just had a quick question about armor- what is the best kind for a swashbuckler? I wasn't sure if you need to wear lighter armor or if it really matters or not.

[StaAk]

<P>Firstly, welcome to EQ2. :smileyhappy:</P> <P> </P> <P>The extra mitigation of chainmail outweighs the marginal avoidance benefits of wearing leather, in my opinion. As you're starting out, it might be a good idea for you to check out the quests in Qeynos's adventure yards (peat bog, oakmyst forest, forest ruins) for some decent starter gear, not to mention the experience and some coin. The quests in The Caves (take the mariner's bell for outside of qeynos locations) will result in some nice boots/leggings/coat that will probably last you into your upper teens. And once you hit 20 there's another series of quests - speak to Ian Cathlan in Qeynos Harbor - that will give you a full set of armor, minus the hat.</P> <P>With the next update, there should be some more viable crafted chainmails for the lower levels if you're interested in hiring an outfitter/armorer or learning the trade yourself.</P><p>Message Edited by StaAk on <span class=date_text>05-25-2006</span> <span class=time_text>01:41 PM</span>

[grantnk]

Wow, thanks <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> That was very informative. I'll definitely check out those quests once I get to Qeynos!

[Delpha]

<P>If you don't mind a little running around, I would recommend that once you get to Qeynos, just run through all the town zones twice accumulating and completing the newbie quests until there are no more 'feathers' in the sky.  At this point you have a nice set of quests for the 3 or 4 newish combat areas  and you can ding as many as 4 quests forward when killing a mob. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>Obviously take your time and have fun, but this is a good way to do a little exploring and get some extra exp rewards for doing it (as well as more early weapon/armor choices).</P> <P> </P>

[ZeppelinJ0]

Definitely great info.  I'm new myself and find myself going between Qeynos, Baubleshire, Willow Wood and Castleview Hamlet and doing all the quests, and winding up with fairly good armor(not weapons tho >&lt<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.  Also around 13 Antonica has a ton of quests and a lot of great stuff <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><div></div>

[sylience42]

<div><blockquote><hr>Delphar7 wrote:<div></div> <p>If you don't mind a little running around, I would recommend that once you get to Qeynos, just run through all the town zones twice accumulating and completing the newbie quests until there are no more 'feathers' in the sky.  At this point you have a nice set of quests for the 3 or 4 newish combat areas  and you can ding as many as 4 quests forward when killing a mob. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p> <p>Obviously take your time and have fun, but this is a good way to do a little exploring and get some extra exp rewards for doing it (as well as more early weapon/armor choices).</p> <hr></blockquote>Thats what I do. Generally get like 2 levels doing it too.</div>

[Faham]

<div></div>Im new to EQ2 as well..played EQ1 for 4 1/2 years.. For a Swash is it best to stick with daggers like in EQ? or could you do swords and still be able to use your abilities? Like in WoW. What would some of you higher level swashs suggest? Swords? Daggers? As well as what stat should i worry with the most? Agi , Str?<div></div><p>Message Edited by Fahamer on <span class=date_text>06-04-2006</span> <span class=time_text>09:50 AM</span>

[Raveller]

<div><blockquote><hr>Fahamer wrote:<div></div>Im new to EQ2 as well..played EQ1 for 4 1/2 years.. For a Swash is it best to stick with daggers like in EQ? or could you do swords and still be able to use your abilities? Like in WoW. What would some of you higher level swashs suggest? Swords? Daggers? As well as what stat should i worry with the most? Agi , Str?<div></div><p>Message Edited by Fahamer on <span class="date_text">06-04-2006</span> <span class="time_text">09:50 AM</span></p><hr></blockquote>This is basically a different topic, however, I recommend keeping both your piercing (daggers, rapiers, etc.) and slashing (longswords, etc) maxed. There are dual-wield versions of both piercing and slashing weapons so you can be using one of each type at the same time. Keeping your skills maxed gives you more options when you loot a really nice weapon.Stats for a Swashy means basically all of them. Agi for power and avoidance. Str for melee damage and weight carrying (boxes are heavy). Int for poison damage (you are using poison, right?). Sta for health. Wis for spell resist. I focus on Agi, Str and Int whenever possible.</div>

[SageGaspar]

<div><blockquote><hr>Fahamer wrote:<div></div>Im new to EQ2 as well..played EQ1 for 4 1/2 years.. For a Swash is it best to stick with daggers like in EQ? or could you do swords and still be able to use your abilities? Like in WoW. What would some of you higher level swashs suggest? Swords? Daggers? As well as what stat should i worry with the most? Agi , Str?<div></div><p>Message Edited by Fahamer on <span class="date_text">06-04-2006</span> <span class="time_text">09:50 AM</span></p><hr></blockquote>STR and AGI will be your top stats, but STR and AGI also go up most naturally with your equipment and buffs. STA is a nice stat, especially if you plan on tanking or raiding, and it's harder to get. WIS is close to useless, the resists it adds are marginal. INT is a nice damage bonus to your procs, but it's very hard to come by and should definitely never take the place of STR, AGI or STA.Your weapon type, and this may come as a shock from EQ1, means absolutely nothing for the most part. All that matters is whether it's piercing, slashing, or crushing. You'll basically only be able to use piercing and slashing, so until you get to the upper levels just worry about keeping both your piercing and slashing maxed if you can. This is easily accomplished by dual wielding one piercing and one slashing. Once you get to raiding levels (50-60+) and if you choose to start raiding, you'll want to keep both a slashing and piercing loadout on you at all times in case you run into a mob with resists.Some AAs have specific weapon requirements, and you can see them all by pressing "L" to look at your skills and looking at the achievement lines. Three of the lines the only restrictions are on the second tier ability where you'll need a sword, dagger, and rapier, respectively. One line needs a completely empty off-hand, and the other line needs a round shield. Once you start really progressing into AAs (and this will take you quite some time, really you will probably be at least 30 and maybe even 40 by the time you get a second tier AA), then the specific weapon types are something to think about. But they're still not game-changing, and all you need to do until then is make sure you keep slashing and piercing maxed.</div>

[Fait]

<P>I have been playing my swashy for some time now and I have found that the available chain armor is the most effecient. It provides the best mitigation possible for the swashy and still allows for great avoidance if you solo or tank. Yes it is possible for a swashy to tank but its often best to leave that to the guardians and zerkers hehe. Should you have to tank or if you choose to solo alot then your avoidance will skyrocket as well. My average avoidance has been over 40% and sometimes even up into the 50's. Leather armors may allow you to grow your avoidance faster or even allow for the number to be slightly higher but the loss of mitigation vs. the chain armor is not worth it from what I can tell. Picture a 30th level swashy with 800-900 mitigation and a 51.4% avoidance. Most plate armor at that level does not go much higher then 900-1200 mitigation. Legendary and fabled gear is the exception of course. </P> <P>Now that 30th level swashy can avoid half of the attacks aimed at them and the high mitigation will absorb alot of what does hit. On several occassions this has helped me to stay alive and finish off a mob that killed the rest of my party <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P> </P>