Guide to BST/NIN by Ctownwoody/Page 3

=BST/NIN Equipment Guide= The Guide only goes from 1-60, and then a jump link to my end-game wish list. After 60, you should be familiar enough with your style to be comfortable researching yourself. Also, after 60, I was being super-super-super cheap, but wasn't really having many issues. Generally, the format is by type. Equipment for Charm is in Green Text. Equipment to only use in parties is Red Text; that stuff draws too much hate or there is something that's better for soloing at the same level range.

Weapons (Axe)

 * Bronze Axe (Level 1): Starting weapon. Don't worry about HQ.
 * Orcish Axe (5): R/E drop from Orcs in West Ronfaure. It has -CHR but that won't be a factor yet.
 * Brass Axe (8): Upgrade. HQ isn't a big deal.
 * Light Axe (11): Quest reward in Sandy. Earn it if you haven't or find it on the AH there.
 * Bone Axe (13): Another upgrade.
 * Bone Pick (16): At this point, you might want to consider cost/benefit analysis for NQ vs. HQ.
 * Battleaxe (20): You'll be using at least one of these until level 32, so get at least one HQ.
 * Military Pick) (28): Best axe for 30-cap events, goes for 130k on Asura. I managed without one as do most BSTs.
 * Warrior's Axe (32): Get two as soon as you hit 32, if not before because they are great upgrades.
 * Barbaroi Axe (40): Your AF Weapon. You can solo the quest but friends help a lot here.  It has +2 STR and CHR, so it actually is very very helpful even DD-ing.
 * Combat Caster's Axe (40): Your mainhand weapon at 40 and 40-cap events; get at least one.
 * Viking Axe (48): Get two, use them for 8-12 levels at least. +10 Accuracy each is incredibly helpful.
 * Light Staff: This has +1 CHR, and a hidden effect of +10% Charm success. Never try to charm after you hit 51 without using this if possible.
 * Wrath Tabar (56): +7 Str is a big big boost for Weapon Skills. Some people off-hand this weapon until end-game for that boost.
 * Kabrakan's Axe (59): A very nice weapon, but more designed for /whm than /nin. However, this, Wrath Tabar and Tungi are the Terrible Trio for BSTs of 60-70: any two of them are perfectally acceptable.  Also, on Earthsday, this weapon will have a slow effect proc often, which is really great solo.
 * Tungi (60): R/E drop off a popped NM in Quicksand Caves. The pop item takes 2 hours to respawn.  Oh, and it's not 100% drop.  However, the DPS on this item, and it's low delay make this a near-perfect off-hand weapon from 60 until you get your Juggernaut, if ever.
 * Bugard Strap (60): Off-hand strap for your Light Staff at 60 for that extra +1 CHR.

Head

 * Bronze Cap (1): Starting piece, HQ not required.
 * Leather Bandana (7): Upgrade only.
 * Faceguard (10): Upgrade again.
 * Entrancing Ribbon (11): Your first +CHR item for the head. R/E drop from a Too Weak NM rabbit in East Sarutabaruta.  I decided to get in the habit of picking up easy +CHR gear early on, but I think you can skip it if needed.
 * Noble's Ribbon (14): An upgrade for Charm gear from Entrancing Ribbon, with one extra CHR. This is your first must-have, because it will last you a long time.
 * Cotton Headband (14): Your solo head gear at this level. The +Evasion helps more than extra defense against EM-T mobs.
 * Beetle Mask +1 (21): An upgrade for the headband. The extra defense outweighs the Evasion boost.
 * Empress Hairpin (24): Your second must-have for this slot. Alternate between this and Noble's Ribbon between 24 and 56 for solo play.
 * Walkure Mask (42): A DD-oriented upgrade from your Emp Pin. However, for solo play, the Emp Pin still rules.
 * Beast Helm (56): Your AF head. At this point, the +Charm is better than the Noble's Ribbon's +CHR.  Best of all, the time spent camping the coffer aside, it's free.

Neck

 * Wing Pendant (7): EX item from a Sandy-based quest. Marginal benefits but nothing much in the neck department before then.
 * Bird Whistle (15): First, and largely only, +CHR piece for the neck you'll need or use. Must-have, as a result.
 * Spike Necklace (21): Pretty good for solo and must-have for DD.  There's nothing close that's easy to get until 60, really.
 * Peacock Charm (33): Well, incredibly hard to camp or incredibly rare BCNM drop, or just incredibly expensive. Good if you got it already, but don't worry if you don't.
 * Republican Silver Medal (40): A new R/E item from Wings of the Goddess Quests for Bastok. For solo play only, as the -2 Emnity is good for engaging mobs.
 * Chivalrous Chain (60): The upgrade from Spike Necklace. Only took 39 levels.

Body

 * Bronze Harness (1): Starting gear.
 * Leather Vest (7): Upgrade.
 * Scale Mail (10): Upgrade.
 * Bone Harness +1 (16): If soloing, the HQ is very much advised.
 * Garrison Tunica (18): Has +1 CHR, but expensive. Up to you if it's worth it.
 * Beetle Harness +1 (21): Another upgrade, and the HQ is worth it.
 * Chainmail (24): Another upgrade. Again, just an upgrade.
 * Mercenary Captain's Doublet (30): A good upgrade, with some helpful stats for melee.
 * RSE Armor (33): Consider based on your race and the stats. Galka, Hume and Mithra have +CHR and Mithra and Taru has +STR.
 * Brigandine (45): Another upgrade. Nothing too special.
 * Crow Jupon (50): The Crow Jupon Set, minus the cap, is all but made for BST/NIN. +Evasion and -Emnity let you engage in melee almost immediately without fear of taking hate and offer you good bonuses to avoid being hit if you do take hate.  Must-have!
 * Scorpion Harness (57): Another wonderful upgrade. This time, though, this is something to wear with pride, as the +10 Accuracy is a big help for party situations too.
 * Beast Jackcoat (58): The hardest AF to get, because it's in Beadeaux. Also, this is really your first body piece to consider Charm gear.
 * Haubergeon (59): If you are doing a lot more Parties than solo work (which is unusual in the 50s), this is a better pick than the Scorpion Harness. However, the attack-based stats and -Evasion will hurt you in solo play.  I'd advise picking one and sticking with it.