Chain vs. leather question

[Thunderslap]

<p>I am an assassin fast approaching level 52 and trying to get my mastercrafted armour ready to go. As I compared stats between the chain and leather, I noticed that other than the obvious differences in mit, the leather stats blew the chain out of the water. But as I talked to a couple different scouts on level chat they said go with the chain hands down. Soloing with this assassin since day one has been a challenge so I recognize that most of his play time has been and will continue to be in groups. I want to lend as much DPS as possible in the group so I'm liking the higher str stats on the leather and since mostly grouped not as worried about the mit (also nice agi stats on leather which should compensate for some of the mit loss) But as I've described this to those I have talked to they still say take the chain hands down...am I missing something here? </p><p> I'm thinking that maybe mixing the 2 would be a good way to go. Chest and legs chain, still get some mit plus the procs from imbuing, the rest leather for the higher str stats. Any thoughts?</p><p> And while I'm at it, might as well ask about choice of weapons. I have been using axe in primary and stiletto in secondary...this a good way to go still in this tier?</p><p> Any suggestions more than welcome<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[HellRaiserXX]

<p>Just real quick on the weapon question.  Until you reach the level cap you should use a slashing and a piercing like you are to keep the skills going up. After that use Pierce since most of the better legendary weapons that can be gotten grouping and such are piercers.</p><p>If you want to solo effectively at all, get the most mit possible, so chain. Wearing leather is not a bad thing and it often does offer better stats than chain.  Id say at your current level that whatever you can do to max your stats will be of benefit to you.  If you are soloing get as much HP, Mit and avoidance gear on as possible, if grouping max str and int as much as possible to increase your DPS.  Chain will benefit you more in a more rounded sense since it offers comparable stats and has more mit, but if all you do is grp maxing out DPS stats is the way to go.  You should be able to find chain gear that will turn out better than leather overall.  Start with getting full crafted of whatever gear gives you the best stats for your playchoice and then replace as better gear becomes available.  Depending on how fast you level will determine your choices of gear as well.  If you level fast crafted will be the most economical way to go for armor since it is easy to get and fairly cheap.</p>

[Jayad]

Having a lot of leather pieces instead of chain can add up to a significant mitigation difference if you are soloing. You don't get the avoidance bonuses for wearing it like brawlers do, either. Still, if it's a really nice leather piece, then yeah, sure. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> If you're just grouping it doesn't matter much.