So I have a dilemma. I read this guide and it gives me all these equip sets to strive for but it doesn't really tell me how to go about getting them. I usually lurk and don't make posts so I've been looking through the forums for info on this but not really finding it.
So my basic question is what order does a newly 99 sam go in terms of item progression? Like when can I be sure that I have enough acc to do SKCNM's on D for example. An other one would be how well geared do I have to be in order to do skirmish or AA V2 competently? Then there's Delve. I feel like you need delve gear to do delve makes no sense to me.
I also find a lot of times ilvl doesn't mean much because I find ilvl 117 gear that has less acc then ilvl 109 gear (why hello thar sparks vs reforged af/relic). FFXI was typically a horizontally progressing game and the new ilvl things still throw me for a loop.
Since I'm a returning player these are questions that pop up over and over for me and most guides I read don't answer these questions. I wasn't sure if I should have just made a new thread or just post this in here since this is the guide thread but, I was just wondering if any one can shed some light on this as I think this could help other new/returning players.
Also if this was stated some where earlier just point me to it, I'm only human =)
Would you rather be a lvl 1 SAM with a lv.1 GKT acc+10, fighting a lvl 10 mob OR be a lvl 11 SAM with a lv.11 GKT (no stats), fighting the same mob? The answer is definitely the latter. iLVL is very important nowadays as it will "increase" your characters level so you can properly partake in all stuffs SoA related.
When Delve first came out, nobody really had 119 gear unless they previously cleared it. Nowadays, alternative options are readily available. I'd say you'll need at least iLVL 115 to be pretty decent in Delve V1/Skirmish V2. For skirmish V1, anything iLVL will do. As far as AAV2 goes, it's all dependant on the difficulty you select; Normal is lv109, D/VD is 119+.
According to your ffxiah profile, it looks likes you came from the 75 era? Assuming this true and you've never done any SoA content, here's what I recommend to get.
Get a decent GKT to start with. Likely the sparks one will be easiest for now. The latent works just like a Blau Dolch (TP < 1000 & WSs)
http://www.bg-wiki.com/bg/Ichimonji-Yofusa
Get into some Yorcia Wield skirmishes and obtain all the Otronif pieces.
http://www.bg-wiki.com/bg/Category:Skirmish
Get into Rem's Tale chapters 1-5 parties. Stock up on as many as you can. You'll need Sacred Kindred Crests for this, easily obtained with current login campaigns.
Start reforging AF/Relic to 109.
http://www.bg-wiki.com/bg/Category:Reforged_Artifact_Armor#Samurai:_Wakido_Armor_Set &
http://www.bg-wiki.com/bg/Category:Reforged_Relic_Armor#Samurai:_Sakonji_Armor_Set You're safe taking all of it to 109, though you will want to pick and choose which to 119 as it can/will get expensive. High priority piece is AF hands +1.
Get as many SoA missions done so you are granted access to Wildskeeper Reives. These are pretty tough fights against Naakuals, the Delve counterparts. You need to complete SoA mission 1-6.
http://www.bg-wiki.com/bg/Category:Seekers_of_Adoulin_Missions,
http://www.bg-wiki.com/bg/Naakual,
http://www.bg-wiki.com/bg/Wildskeeper_Reive#Wildskeeper_Reive
While in the process of doing all this, if you have a semi-decent WHM, BRD or know friends that can help, get into a Foret de Hennetiel Delve clear for a Tsurumaru, the best non-RME GKT.
http://www.bg-wiki.com/bg/Delve &
http://www.bg-wiki.com/bg/Tsurumaru
Others will definitely chime in on other stuff to do as well.
Good luck!