New to the game, Paladin armor question

[Tha Anim]

<DIV>Hello all, I am new to the EQ and MMO worlds, still learning my way around, and I have built up to level 15 in about a week and a half.  I am loving the game and experiences and I cannot put the game down.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My question is, however, is that someone mentioned to me last night that the armor I had was very weak and they mentioned I should head to the caves to get better armor.  I was wondering if any of you would have better advice on how to earn better armor, or if what I heard is correct, how I should go about getting this armor.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And if anyone wants to add anything else that might help someone who just started playing the game, that would be greatly appreciated as well.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thank you!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Bukeye - Najena server.</DIV>

[EvilIguana9]

Welcome to the game.  Actually things have changed quite a bit since I was your level so I don't know the specifics anymore.  Basically, as a paladin you will want to look for equipment with a high mitigation value wherever possible.  You'll also want to have decent strength and stamina attributes, but there are other threads on what stats to specialize in.  If you're looking to upgrade the first spot to check might be the broker in town.  You can also gear up reasonably well by doing quests.  Basically talk to every npc you can and be on the lookout for especially good rewards.  And of course monster dropped gear from places like blackburrow will help.  But it is definitely important to keep your gear upgraded.  And as mentioned earlier mitigation, which reduces the amount of damage enemies can do to you, is the most important attribute you can improve.  <div></div>

[Leawyn]

At level 20 there is a line of quests called Armor Quests which is basically what most people get at level 20, particularly those new to the game. They are great for level 20's and will last you until near 30 when you should consider other upgrades.

[Pathin Merrithay]

<P>Having run through the lower levels quests again recently, yes, the Caves provides a nice few quests that hand out replacement boots, greaves and chestplate peices to replace anything you might have been assigned from Queen's Refuge.</P> <P>Similar quests lines for other equipment peices (helm, weapon, gloves, bracers I think) can also be found in both Oakmyst Forest and The Ruins. They've essentially gotten facelifts from when they were first put in game to outfit 'newbies'</P>

[Seidhkona]

<blockquote><div><hr size="2" width="100%"><font color="#ffff00" size="3">Bukeye said:Hello all, I am new to the EQ and MMO worlds, still learning my way around, and I have built up to level 15 in about a week and a half.  I am loving the game and experiences and I cannot put the game down.</font></div><div><font color="#ffff00" size="3"> </font></div><div><font color="#ffff00" size="3">My question is, however, is that someone mentioned to me last night that the armor I had was very weak and they mentioned I should head to the caves to get better armor.  I was wondering if any of you would have better advice on how to earn better armor, or if what I heard is correct, how I should go about getting this armor.  </font></div><div><font color="#ffff00" size="3"> </font></div><div><font color="#ffff00" size="3">And if anyone wants to add anything else that might help someone who just started playing the game, that would be greatly appreciated as well.</font><hr size="2" width="100%"></div></blockquote> There is a good guide to early quests with good armor and equipment in the early levels at <a href="http://eq2.tentonhammer.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=29&meid=53" target=_blank>Ten Ton Hammer</a> you should take a look at.As you get armor via questing or off the corpses of your foes, examine it and compare it to what you currently have.  The stats that are most important to you at the moment are probably WIS (power pool), STR (how much damage you do with a weapon), and INT (helps your spell damage).  POWER and HEALTH stats are likewise useful.  In terms of armor, the mitigation (MIT) is of interest to you.  Whenever you can, upgrade with what you find! Probably the absolute best armor you can get at your level is made from Blackened Iron.  You get that by harvesting, harvesting, harvesting in Antonica or the Commonlands.  Blackened Iron is the rare ore you get from hard-rock ore in those zones.  A crafter with the appropriate skills can make these into armor for you, and even imbue it.  There are some very nice kite shields available in the early levels through questing, but if you manage to harves wood and get the rare (Severed Bone) you could have that made into an imbued kite shield with some nice stats as well.  My general advice is that anytime you are waiting for someone or resting inbetween fights, harvest everything.  The rares are pretty much all useful for a pally, and sell for a good price even if you don't want anything made.However, you do not have to have Blackened Iron armor.  The quested armor up to level 20, then the armor you get from the Armor Quests in your 20s, is all pretty good stuff.The Caves have some good foes.  So does Blackburrow.  I got a really nice kite shield in the Peat Bog in my teens.  Just be sure to always pick up and examine what results from your kills and quests, and use it if it's an upgrade to what you are wearing/using.<div></div>

[Tyrus Dracofire]

there is few nice set of armors for 20 lvl pally, Dragoon or Dragon platemail, or Coral platemail versions those are decent set of nice defense protections until you can get AQ set which they do look like mint-blue.

[BRODIEMAN2]

Well the easiest way at your level is buying some, (Even though I learned with alts that there's not decent plate at those levels that don't come from quests). You could hold off for 5 levels and do the armor quest line (Shouldn't be hard finding a group for it, there's always a ton of people constantly spamming "LFG AQ#).<div></div>

[Ghu]

<P>Another option to consider would be looking for a guild that you would fit well with. Lots of folk have gear rotting in the guild bank etc. </P> <P>Also, fledgling crafters sell their common stuff pretty cheap. Check the broker allot! Things change there all the time.</P> <P> </P> <P>Last thing, do every quest you can find. Go to each of the starter cities and grab those quests.. </P>