Need some gear advice for level 40

[stfields]

<DIV>I'd like to ask my fellow monks here for some gear advice for level 40.  I'm still tanking at 39 with little problems.  Sure, I take a beating sometimes, but I'd like to stick out tanking for as long as I can, so I plan to go all out agility with strength for the added power... you know, all the "normal stuff." </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm having a problem narrowing down what I can wear at 40.  The broker isn't much help because you can only search based on the items con to you.  So, if I wanted to see what I could wear at 40, when I'm only 39, I'd have to select "Red" and "Armor" and maybe the slot.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Naturally, that doesn't help much because it shows Medium/Heavy as well.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm more concerned at the moment about the 7 "main" pieces of gear - head, chest, arms, bracer, legs, boots, gloves - and weapons/ranged.  Let me just stick to that for now.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm not rich, but I'm not poor either.  I can probably afford any rare crafted that I'd need (just to put things in perspective).  I'm curious what kind of stats the mob dropped gear that is wearable at 40 (is there any?) compared to rare crafted gear?  I'm prepared to wear a full set of augmented if those are good for a level 40.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As for weapons, I know that Gage linked on another thread a pristine imubed cedar cudgel.  How are those stats in comparison to mob dropped items that I can get around 40?  I currently dual wield the Ancient Watcher Mace (9agi 11str, decent dmg) and they have almost run their course.  I haven't seen any Rock Forged Cesti up, but I got a feeling those "might" just be out of my price range.  And dual wielding imbued items w/ a proc seems like a great idea.  High agility -> high accuracy -> more procs?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyway, any advice you guys can lay on me would be much appreciated.  I hope that if any gear recommended is quested gear, that I can pick it up prior to the patch that will make it go No-Trade <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[RalphSmi]

<DIV>I am lvl 40 as well and have found a 50 tailor who does excellent work at affordable prices.  I also have a 50 wps in my guild.  Pristine Augmented Imbued Leather Armor is where its at IMHO at lvl 40+.  Only the chest and legs can be imbudes atm.  Stats are awesome, dont have them off hand.  Pristine Tailore Augmented Fists(see posts here in teh monk forumn) for stats.  Imbued wraps are on the test server, hopefully to make its way live.  To me also, one of the top two best for lvl 40+, even not imbuded.  All items will cost you a few plat in materials, as you will need at least 9 tier 5 rares to make the straps x2 and armor x6 IF you decided to use the lvl 42 Jboots instead.  Add another rare and 4 eluminous extracts and up it another plat(ish).  You CAN hustle and get some good deals I would assume, depending on your server.  On mistmoore, its all about the hustle and shopping around.  Good luck.</DIV>

[stfields]

I hear the light armor jboots stats aren't that good?  Is that true?

[Bur]

On my server atleast fabled drops are very expensive. Robe of the invoker, ironforge fists ect ect are 6+ plat so i'm just going to ignore those types of items. Helm - Crown of king tranix.  This is a fairly difficult quest but the resulting helm is VERY nice.  Not as high AC as tailored augmented but much better stats. Boots - Spiderwalks (quest item, starts in the house of circles in RV, kill 100 nightbloods) or Jboots if you're too lazy to switch (I am).  Spiderwalks can't be worn till 43 I believe, if you can find "worn out boots" (Also rivervale) as a mob drop they start the (easy) quest for ten gallon boots wich are also very nice. Bracers-  I went for enchanted bracers (enchanted grove.. whatever they're called) for the signifigantly better stats then augmented, they are fairly cheap on the broker.  Augmented will be signifigantly better AC, though, if you are focused on tanking. For the rest of your "main parts" i'd go with pristine tailored augmented.  Most tailors (on my server) charge around 20 gold+ a t5 rare pelt (60 or so).  Also of note is that it's worth getting a ranged weapon that's pristine tailored augmented,  I don't recall the exact stats but I think it's around 10 STR/AGI. Weapons- Pristine Imbued Cudgels are the best available in my opinion.  Pelts (atleast generally) are signifigantly more expensive them cedar.  Fistwraps are also 1.4 delay thus hitting the haste cap and not getting any real bonus from everburning flame/fire+FBSS.  If you can't afford/don't want dual wield weapons the Hierophant's Crook is a fairly decent weapon as well if you keep in mind that the proc is encounter wide AOE. Belt - FBSS, no brainer. Earring- Fishbone. Rings - You have a few options here.  Personally i'd go for imbued ruby if you can afford it (read; a freekin fortune) but the ring from the ancient watcher quest plus per say a farrunner ring (the one from the JBoots quest, whatever it's called) are a good option. Bracelet- Bracelets of glowing shards seem to be the best option.  Theres some nice fabled drops but unless you get lucky/pay a fortune you won't be seeing these for a while. Neck-  Wear whatever you can find,  at 49 you will likely be wearing the curn eye necklace (statue quest in permafrost). I believe that's about it.. hopefully some of this was vaguely usefull. <div></div>

[Dfoley3]

<P>The t5 rare armor is the only way to go in all honesty.</P> <P>The light jboots are nice ac, but their other stats are beat my quest boots such as ten gallon boots or spiderwalk sandles.</P> <P>For 40+ generic buyable armor, get the t5 rare "Pristine Tailored Augmented Armor"  The boots are far superior to jboots stat wise (13 agi 8 sta if i remember correctly) and also have the same if not more ac.  </P> <P>A full suit of t5 rare is very respectable and will last until u replace it with raid/masterchest loot</P> <P>That being said there are certain quests/heritages worth doing for armor.  </P> <P>Notably: fbss for belt, golden effreti boots, robe of the invoker, </P> <P>while the later 2 are situational, the + power regen on them is undoubtably the most useful raid tool in the game.</P>

[bonesbro]

<span><blockquote><hr>Burem wrote:Weapons- Pristine Imbued Cudgels are the best available in my opinion.  Pelts (atleast generally) are signifigantly more expensive them cedar.  Fistwraps are also 1.4 delay thus hitting the haste cap and not getting any real bonus from everburning flame/fire+FBSS.  If you can't afford/don't want dual wield weapons the Hierophant's Crook is a fairly decent weapon as well if you keep in mind that the proc is encounter wide AOE. <hr></blockquote> Weaponsmiths can also make cestii with that pelt which have a 2.0 delay.</span><div></div>

[Owa]

<DIV>Don't laugh...but I like the enchanted thicket armour. </DIV>

[Bladewind]

The stat mods on certain enchanted thicket pieces make them attractive for the very low 40's (I believe it goes white at 42).  You get extra 'fighter' stat mods from these pieces where you would normally see int or wis mods.  Having drastically skewed magic resist (at the expense of other resists) from a few pieces of this also makes for interesting encounters - choose your enemies wisely <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>That said, I am working on a full suit of augmented, but will use the enchanted thicket for pants, sleeves, and bracers while i gather the pelts.  I am also using ten gallon boots as a stopgap until I can wear my JBoots or get up to that many pelts.  I have an imbued augmented tunic and absolutely love it.  That little heal proc adds up during a long fight <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Wiou]

" I hear the light armor jboots stats aren't that good?  Is that true?" yea <div></div>

[sglant]

<P>Probably out of 98% of peoples budget, but Ironfist Knuckles look really tempting. lvl 40</P> <P>27.5 dmg rating (1.7sec delay I believe) along with I think it was 16agi and 14str and 40ish hp/power....</P> <DIV>6pp on my server </DIV>

[Wiou]

is the prismatic wep quest repeatable, and when can you do it? <div></div>

[Tully]

hey sglanton, check out wanderers fist wraps

[Gaige]

<P>Prismatic isn't repeatable (you can do it again but not get another weapon) and you need to be 50 with 24 lvl 50 raiders who know what they are doing to even try it.</P> <P>Wanderer's Fist Wraps are good, but no proc.  I like ironfist the best.</P> <P> </P>

[Bur]

I like my ironfists alot, I use them with a pristine imbued cedar cudgle until I get a pristmatic.  The stats are just hard to beat and the damage is very respectable.  <div></div>

[Morrolan V]

<DIV><FONT face=Garamond size=3>Great thread!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Garamond size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Garamond size=3>Possible alternative to the Fishbone Earring:</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><IMG src="http://home.comcast.net/~maturin5/EQ/Zigs_Wing.jpg"></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Garamond size=3>Are Ironfist Knuckles a master chest drop?  Don't have 6p (12, really) but would love to get some <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV>

[bonesbro]

Zig's is very nice but I decided to sell mine instead of use it.  The loss in stamina and hp vs. the fishbone plus the lower AC made the difference, but it was a very close thing.

[Gaige]

Where does Zig's come from?

[stfields]

<P>Zig the [Something] in Crypt of T'Haen.  Just follow the left wall right to him.  He's a fairy-type.  If he isn't up, just re-zone.  I "think" the zone will repop itself when you do.  He was level 39 ^^ when I took him on.  Might've been 38 though.  </P> <P>The two times I've killed him, he dropped the wing.  By no means does that mean its a guaranteed drop, but that does make me think it is a common drop.  I'd guess if you were level 50, you'd have to bring a level 40ish person and mentor them to get the drop.</P> <DIV>And thanks for all the replies <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  I picked up an Evol Bandoleer and the Enchanted Thicket Tunic because they are usable at 39.  I'm leaning towards mostly augmented gear since the resists seem much more balanced than what I have now.  I think I'll go with the augmented pouch since it has +10 str and +10 agi (more power and agi are always welcome).  I haven't really looked at much jewelry pieces yet.  While they are important, I think the 7 body pieces and weapons should take precedence at the start.  I'll probably go with the imbued cudgels since the stats seem good and hopefully the proc is good.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Will those cudgels land on level 51+ mobs if I still use them in the future?  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Oh, and any advice for the level 40 specialization?  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On a side note, is there anything better than the ancient slayer rings (let's not include stuff from raid drops)?  </DIV><p>Message Edited by stfields on <span class=date_text>04-05-2005</span> <span class=time_text>11:09 AM</span>

[Bur]

I've never had the cudgel refuse to hit a target unless it was crushing-immune (highest i've tried is probably 54 or so.. raid mob). Imbued ruby rings are better then slayer's ring IMHO but if you just get imbued bloodstones and trade them in and out for the buff it's probably not worth having the ruby rings. <div></div>

[stfields]

I've never had the cudgel refuse to hit a target unless it was crushing-immune (highest i've tried is probably 54 or so.. raid mob <DIV> <HR> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I should've been more specific.  I heard that groupx2+ mobs can only be hit by weapons that are within X% of their level... or they have to con at least blue to it... I forgot the details.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Player crafted T5 weapons cap at 250.  Is 250 high enough for level 51+ "raid" mobs?</DIV>

[Wiou]

Are the prismatic weapons lore ? <div></div>

[Gaige]

No trade I think, and probably lore.  You aren't getting two of them.

[bonesbro]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> stfields wrote:<BR> <P>Zig the [Something] in Crypt of T'Haen.  Just follow the left wall right to him.  He's a fairy-type.  If he isn't up, just re-zone.  I "think" the zone will repop itself when you do.  He was level 39 ^^ when I took him on.  Might've been 38 though.  </P> <P>The two times I've killed him, he dropped the wing.  By no means does that mean its a guaranteed drop, but that does make me think it is a common drop.  I'd guess if you were level 50, you'd have to bring a level 40ish person and mentor them to get the drop.</P> <DIV>And thanks for all the replies <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  I picked up an Evol Bandoleer and the Enchanted Thicket Tunic because they are usable at 39.  I'm leaning towards mostly augmented gear since the resists seem much more balanced than what I have now.  I think I'll go with the augmented pouch since it has +10 str and +10 agi (more power and agi are always welcome).  I haven't really looked at much jewelry pieces yet.  While they are important, I think the 7 body pieces and weapons should take precedence at the start.  I'll probably go with the imbued cudgels since the stats seem good and hopefully the proc is good.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Will those cudgels land on level 51+ mobs if I still use them in the future?  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Oh, and any advice for the level 40 specialization?  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On a side note, is there anything better than the ancient slayer rings (let's not include stuff from raid drops)?  </DIV> <P>Message Edited by stfields on <SPAN class=date_text>04-05-2005</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>11:09 AM</SPAN><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>He procs a dot that ticks for 500ish.  It's a proc - he can do it with zero power and while stifled.  It can be cured by Cure Arcane.  The dot landed on me about half the time when I was 44 and he was only green due to the lower level characters in my group.

[Owa]

<DIV>Slight hijack here, but why are the cedarwood cudgels so appallingly ugly to behold? I just bought one 'cause the stats are nice...but what horrid looking things they are. I'm sticking with the fistwraps unless I'm soloing in an instanced zone and no one can see me...</DIV>

[kerra]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> annaspider wrote:<BR> <DIV>Slight hijack here, but why are the cedarwood cudgels so appallingly ugly to behold? I just bought one 'cause the stats are nice...but what horrid looking things they are. I'm sticking with the fistwraps unless I'm soloing in an instanced zone and no one can see me...</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Goes with the rest of the weapons we have ie..Rusty batons, spikey bowls of death, and finally the bowling pin from deaths alley. :smileyvery-happy:

[Morrolan V]

<DIV><FONT face=Garamond size=3>So, what is a reasonable price for Augmented armor?  I am 39 and have some money, but frequently see single pieces up for 50g.  What have people paid?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Garamond size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Garamond size=3>Thanks!</FONT></DIV>

[Jerhico]

<DIV>Reasonable is going to depend much on your server's market.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On Antonia Bayle, the current going rate for Superb Quality Manticore/Dire Wolf/White Wolf pelts or the mob-dropped versions (slashed augmented belt, severed augmented apron, augmented leather bag) run from 25g at the low end (if you're patient and bargain hunt) to 75g on the high end (which sit on the broker and never sell.)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Prices ARE coming down.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>For me, the average price breakdown per-piece goes something like this:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Luminous Stone / Flower - 5g</DIV> <DIV>Alchemist Fee to Refine Luminous Essence - 1g</DIV> <DIV>Rare pelt / augmented drop - 30g</DIV> <DIV>Tailor Fee to craft armor piece - 10g</DIV> <DIV>Total per piece - 46g per imbued piece, 40g per non-imbued piece</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Weapons are a tad different:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Luminous Stone / Flower - 5g</DIV> <DIV>Alchemist Fee to Refine Luminous Essence - 1g</DIV> <DIV>Rare pelt / Augmented drop - 30g</DIV> <DIV>Tailor Fee to craft Augmented Leather Strap - 5g</DIV> <DIV>Weaponsmith fee to craft hand-to-hand weapon + Imbue - 10g</DIV> <DIV>Total per piece - 51g</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hope that helps.  If you have friends or guildies who can do it for you,  you can obviously work these prices down some.  Also, cedar is trading high now since cudgels have gotten so popular, so you may be able to get two skins for one wood, if you harvest frequently.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Good luck!</DIV>

[Gaige]

Yeah prices are definately coming down.  I'd say that 15~20g for the pelt, 1~5g for the luminous, around 5g for combine on luminous and about 10g per combine for the armor/weapons is fair.