Level 43 SK needs armor advice!

[Starchild66]

 Im a lvl 43 SK and only have about 1 plat. I don't get to play alot due to work so I don't have time to do a tradeskill. I was looking at master crafted gear but i'll never be able to afford it. What other type of armor should I go for that is decent and affordable any suggestions would help. I'd like to get a set of matching armor if possible! Is handcrafted good and affordable or should I go for something like treasured gear? Thanks.

[Nor]

<p>Without a doubt, MC is the way to go.  The new stats are quite outstanding.</p><p>I would suggest a few things.  Start farming named mobs for master spells, sell them for needed cash. -or- Harvest your own rares, then find a level appropriate armorer and have them make you a set.  There is no way you'll be able to find cheap armor comparable with the stats - both ac and str/sta.  However, do a search each level and check for better armor in each slot - a lot of times you can find fairly cheap stuff that is an upgrade at each level.</p><p>One final point - SELL EVERYTHING ON THE BROKER!!  You can make a ton of money selling treasured and better items on the broker.  I've sold all of my items on one broker and spells on another so I can keep track of it, just because I've wanted to know.  The spells isn't really very accurate as I'm also an alchemist.  However, since level 1 I've sold well over 20pp in treasured/legendary/fabled gear alone (level 53 right now) from my SK.  Farming isn't the easiest thing to do sometimes with a SK, but at level 43 you should be able to at least do the RoV named mobs, or some of them at least.  I hate farming with my SK, but if I need xxx piece of gear, it's the easiest way to afford it.</p><p> Make friends with crafters around your level or tier, its the cheapest way to buy things!</p>

[Starchild66]

<p> Thanks for the advice. My main problem is getting time to play work is killing my play times. But thats life. I have seen some armor thats better than what I have that i can afford till I can afford the MC.</p>

[cephastri]

Since this is my first character through, I find I also frequently don't have the money to pay for anything MC (though an MC kite shield was only 35g on my server - I splurged for that).  So I just end up buying the handcrafted stuff at the start of the tier (devout and then regular plate to fill in), and just wait for drops and quest items to replace those pieces.  That and occasionally I check the broker to see what drops I'm missing out on and possibly buy them if they're not priced too high.I have alchemy, so I can make my own spells, and use that to help generate a little extra cash when I can (currently behind a bit with my alchemy due to doing a few too many HQ quest instances in the last week).

[Beldin_]

Back in the days when i didn't had that much money and rares were much more rare, i mostly tried to get at least breast and legs as mastercrafted, and for the rest i often just browsed the broker to find items with the best stats/miti for the lowest price <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Nocifer Deathblade]

At that level range, Deathfist armor > mastercrafted armor..

[Nor]

Yes, but if they can't afford MC, they certainly won't be able to afford DF armor.  I got a complete set of MC at 42 for 3.25pp, each piece of DF is at least 1pp on my server.

[alyta2]

<p>Speaking as someone who has done tons of tradeskills...</p><p>Absolutely the best thing you can do in that situation, is harvest, harvest, harvest.  Save everything, and when you get the rares you need, search around for an armorer.  Find one that is in the tier you need the armor for - this is someone that still needs to level up, but is high enough to make what you need.  Ask them what they charge to make your rare into mastercrafted - then ask if they'll discount that if you give them a few stacks of other common raws.    Bargain!  When I was that level with my tailor, I'd often do the combines for free or at minimal charge, just to get the experience from making that rare item.   Ask them if they'll give you a discount if you keep coming back for more pieces as you get more rares.   </p>

[Noxium]

Agree with all of the above, shame you have only managed about 1p - @ 42 I had bought my entire set and still had 4 or 5 left.  The advice about the broken though yes, but I had been saving since lvl 1...  Find particle settings put distance to max in options, turn down particles from players to 0 or 1 whatever your computer can handle.  Nor you will see the collectables from a distance, harvest these - most are only worth a silver, but sometimes, usually about 1 in 20 or 30 will be worth gold 10-20, maybe even a plat for the real rare ones.  Will only take a few of these rare ones to sort you out, you will hopefully with any luck make a plat or two in a few hours.And join a guild, one of a decent size with a good policy for helping their members, and find their armourer.  Buy the non rare armour if you have to, but if you solo you really want the rare stuff, and a good weapon.  So you may be able to afford the rare component.Also don't worry about spending the whole plat on armour, especially if you don't play too much.  @ 52 you'll of been killing things and will have made a few p by the next time you think about upgrades.Final suggestion would be to wait, if you can.  Will take you twice as long to level if you solo but from what I remember the lvl 42 armour was the most expensive...Nox

[cephastri]

Yeah, I've been looking at getting the 42 MC'd armour made, but in the mean time while waiting on an armorer - I've got another 5 levels.  In that time I picked up another plat I think, and now I'm debating whether I should just sell the ebon clusters I've collected and go for the next tier of mc armour.

[Noxium]

If you are allready half way there, definately sell them.  The last lvl or two will be tough, but if you can get through those you've got a nice new set to look forward to!Nox

[Nor]

Harvesting hard metals (iron, carbonite, etc) is a great way to make money.  They can sell anywhere from 20-60 silver, at least on my server.  Get a stack and you'll sell them for a boatload.  A lot of the tradeskills use this item.  Roots are probably the best seller though, again going for 20-40 silver each.

[Terron]

<cite>Nocifer Deathblade wrote:</cite><blockquote>At that level range, Deathfist armor > mastercrafted armor..</blockquote>The mastercrafted had more mitigation before, and since the stats on mastercrafted were improved with the last GU it the best overall now,

[Starchild66]

Thanks for the advice guys! I managed to get two pieces of MC thanks to a good friend giving me a plat. The rest I got treasured or handcrafted and all new jewelry with int mostly. I have noticed that me and a friend who is a fury could'nt take out a ^^^ blue but since I got reaving and better armor and all new jewlery we can with no problem! I wonder if this is reaving or the better armor since my stats are alot better now! Thanks again for the help!