Curse

Bibblenorn · Aug 08, 2005, 06:30 PM // 18:30

I just left pre-searing, and now I am looking at buying that level 30 armor in Old Ascalon. I have a Necromancer/Monk, and I want to know if the Bonelace armor is that much better than the Necromancer's Armor. I like the looks of the Necromancer's Armor more than the bonelace, but if the extra protection is worth it, I will get bonelace. I can easily afford the armor.

Opinions?

cookiehoarder · Aug 08, 2005, 07:16 PM // 19:16

If I am correct bonelace gives + protection agianst piercing damage? This means that the Whiptail devouours (Or however spelt

) will do less damage. Other then that it is purely up to you-Personally I'd do what you can afford, when I first started I used the cheapest armor in Ascalon City. If you don't care about the extra protection I'd say do what you think looks best.

JoDiamonds · Aug 08, 2005, 09:17 PM // 21:17

Don't get the -cheapest- armor. There's AL15 armor in Ascalon (for most classes), which really isn't worth buying; step up to the AL30 instead.

I usually prefer to get the best armor I can, if it's clearly just better. You don't actually end up upgrading your armor very often, so it's a good investment. I think most players probably only get new armor (that is, a whole new set) a few times throughout the game.

Scaphism · Aug 08, 2005, 09:41 PM // 21:41

A general note on buying armor:

If money/time is an issue, I recommend getting the basic set every time. Leave armor with special bonuses for when you understand what you want/need a lot better.

If not, buy what suits you, let your whims dictate. If tat's you, you didn't really need me to tell you that.

As for when to upgrade:
-Ascalon City (the higher AL set of the two, no question); this is the most important armor upgrade you can make.
-Somewhere in the Jungle (post Lion's Arch)
-Crystal Desert
-Droknar's
-Spend excess $$ on vanity sets at Grotto/Citadel/Fissure of Woe if you want

If you are part of a really good team you may be able to skip either the Jungle Set or the Crystal Desert set, but most people should get both. I've heard of people going the entire way with the Ascalon set, but unless you're doing it specifically for the challenge I wouldn't recommend it. I've personally gone all the way to Denravi in just the Presearing collector armor (+ bloodstained boots), but that was with an excellent team and it wasn't much fun, even then.

Mesmerized · Aug 09, 2005, 01:01 PM // 13:01

is it just me or are all necros really susceptible vs. earth magics?

stoning hit my old 20 nec for 160+

Dzan · Aug 09, 2005, 01:41 PM // 13:41

I tend to upgrade at Ascalon, Ventari's and Droknar's. The Ventari armor is only 5 less AL than the desert, it makes the desert armor not worth it to me.

JoDiamonds · Aug 09, 2005, 04:16 PM // 16:16

I agree with Dzan; if you can pick up most of the collectors stuff around Ventari's and nearby jungle areas, you can definitely keep that until Droknar's.

Scaphism · Aug 09, 2005, 10:04 PM // 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoDiamonds

I agree with Dzan; if you can pick up most of the collectors stuff around Ventari's and nearby jungle areas, you can definitely keep that until Droknar's.

I disagree here- the enemies in the desert are significantly harder than anywhere else in the game, especially leaving Anmoon Oasis and trying to get to the next outpost. Upgrading your armor there is crucial.

I also find that once I get to Lion's Arch it's easy to run wherever I need. I can get to TOA with henchies, and from there it's a pretty simple run to Sanctum Cay, which lets you skip all the jungle missions. Sanctum Cay is one of the easiest missions in the game for me- but that's probably because I farmed those hill giants to exhaustion, til I unlocked every minor rune.

Still, my point is that it's quite easy bypass the jungle without doing the missions. Even if you go through the jungle hopping from outpost to outpost, it's easy to skip the missions, and Riverside is even easier than Sanctum Cay. (Go go BWE farming!) Running through the desert is considerably harder, and I know far more people who get stuck and frustrated in the desert than get stuck in the Jungle. If I had to pick one spot to get armor, it would be in the Desert (after ditching presearing armor, of course.)

By the time you hit Droknar's Forge you are in the home stretch. You should be able to afford the armor there without any problems.

Amei Leng · Aug 10, 2005, 12:47 AM // 00:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bibblenorn

I just left pre-searing, and now I am looking at buying that level 30 armor in Old Ascalon. I have a Necromancer/Monk, and I want to know if the Bonelace armor is that much better than the Necromancer's Armor. I like the looks of the Necromancer's Armor more than the bonelace, but if the extra protection is worth it, I will get bonelace. I can easily afford the armor.

Opinions?

The Ascalon City bonelace is the proper starter armor.
My Necro/Mes carries two sets, Scar for power,and Fanatics for armor level.

What I dawn depends on where Im at and whom the foes are.

Dzan · Aug 10, 2005, 04:13 AM // 04:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scaphism

I disagree here- the enemies in the desert are significantly harder than anywhere else in the game, especially leaving Anmoon Oasis and trying to get to the next outpost. Upgrading your armor there is crucial.

I also find that once I get to Lion's Arch it's easy to run wherever I need. I can get to TOA with henchies, and from there it's a pretty simple run to Sanctum Cay, which lets you skip all the jungle missions. Sanctum Cay is one of the easiest missions in the game for me- but that's probably because I farmed those hill giants to exhaustion, til I unlocked every minor rune.

Still, my point is that it's quite easy bypass the jungle without doing the missions. Even if you go through the jungle hopping from outpost to outpost, it's easy to skip the missions, and Riverside is even easier than Sanctum Cay. (Go go BWE farming!) Running through the desert is considerably harder, and I know far more people who get stuck and frustrated in the desert than get stuck in the Jungle. If I had to pick one spot to get armor, it would be in the Desert (after ditching presearing armor, of course.)

By the time you hit Droknar's Forge you are in the home stretch. You should be able to afford the armor there without any problems.

I don't see that extra 5 points of armor from the desert being worth thousands in gold and materials. I am having a hard time fathoming a time when that 5 armor is the difference between life and death, but hey its your gold. A first character is better off saving his goldt until Droknar's.

Freyas · Aug 10, 2005, 05:30 AM // 05:30

I usually upgrade in Ascalon City to the higher set, though just base armor. I'll generally use that until Sanctum Cay(which I just run to with a party of 8 from ToA before going back for the rest of the jungle). Just outside of Sanctum Cay is a crafter with some armor choices, but the armor is better than the stuff in Amnoon. I use that armor until I get to Droknar's, and on my elementalist, I didn't bother upgrading at droknars since I'm planning on getting 60k stuff, and there's really not much difference between my current set and Droknars armor.

Tuna · Aug 10, 2005, 05:40 AM // 05:40

Your monk will hate you if you don't upgrade your armor.

Aug 10, 2005, 06:26 AM // 06:26

I've got an Ele in Ring of Fire in wearing 30 AL armor and a super fire rune. Yay me

Sagius Truthbarron · Aug 10, 2005, 11:01 AM // 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dzan

I tend to upgrade at Ascalon, Ventari's and Droknar's. The Ventari armor is only 5 less AL than the desert, it makes the desert armor not worth it to me.

Same thing I did my first time. All the others I just had ran to the forge >.>

JoDiamonds · Aug 10, 2005, 03:53 PM // 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scaphism

I disagree here- the enemies in the desert are significantly harder than anywhere else in the game, especially leaving Anmoon Oasis and trying to get to the next outpost. Upgrading your armor there is crucial.

The desert armor is often like +7 more armor compared to the stuff in the later half of the jungle. I'm pretty sure it's not worth it to upgrade for that.

Quote:

I also find that once I get to Lion's Arch it's easy to run wherever I need. I can get to TOA with henchies, and from there it's a pretty simple run to Sanctum Cay, which lets you skip all the jungle missions.

You are right, if you are skipping the jungle, then getting the jungle armor isn't a useful thing to do. But first time players don't do this. I've been assuming we're giving advice for first time players. The original poster's first words were, "I just left pre-searing".

Anyone who is skipping the jungle probably doesn't really need much advice on when to get armor. Not that it's pointless to discuss it, but that's obviously an entirely different situation.

Scaphism · Aug 10, 2005, 06:50 PM // 18:50

Jo, you're right, we are discussing armor for first timers. (Right?)

I'd argue that every point of armor is crucial, and nowhere is it more crucial than the desert. I've never been to the crafter outside of Sanctum Cay, but it sounds like that would be a better place to upgrade if it is actually higher AL than the sets in the desert.

As for your monks hating you if you don't upgrade: See Blackace. He didn't upgrade, and I hate him for it. He dies faster than anyone else I know in ROF.

I also don't think it's worth saving your money, especially if you're struggling. Find the best upgrades you can and buy them to help you reach the next stage in the game, where the rewards are higher. I tell every new person who asks to advance quickly if they want to earn get more money- the early game just doesn't give as much gold. The faster you advance, the sooner you'll be able to afford your final set of armor. If that's not your priority, then there's even more reason to upgrade your armor more often along the way- you'll get longer use out of your armor set.

borkbork · Aug 10, 2005, 07:04 PM // 19:04

I decided to be cheap and not buy any armor at all on my monk for fun. I ran around with 5 AL, went through 1st shiverpeaks -> jungle -> desert -> ascension.

There was one time when I was in town and someone in my group asked to see my armor. (I guess he was suspicious

) I managed to get out of it by saying it was collector's!

Anyways. Wearing 5 AL teaches you to strafe stoning and hide behind henchies. Two hits = death.

Zeru · Aug 10, 2005, 08:36 PM // 20:36

Buying the newest armor makes the game tremendously easier in some stages so like scaph said if you're having trouble go get it.

Playing the game with 5 AL ele armor was kinda fun though (as much fun as your 3rd time through pve can be). When I first entered the desert I was practically killed by a single meteor or fireball. Suffice to say I died quite a lot in those missions.

Ensign · Aug 10, 2005, 09:28 PM // 21:28

If you're going through the game normally, I'd suggest getting the good stuff in Ascalon City, and running with that until the Jungle. Then I'd grab an armor upgrade in Ventari's Refuge, Denravi, or the Amnoon Oasis. Oasis armor is 6 AL higher, but significantly more expensive and you get it a bit later. The desert is where the game starts to get hard for most players, and the armor upgrade starts to be noticible - I run Thirsty River in random PUGs when I'm feeling charitable with my monk, and it's blatantly obvious who hasn't upgraded his armor since Ascalon City.

From there, upgrade in Droknar's, and either smile or start saving up for your vanity set of choice.

There is that armor crafter in the Explorable Area outside of Sanctum Cay, but I don't think he's worth it - his armor is just a touch short of Droknar's Forge armor, but nearly as expensive, meaning you're going to be buying the equivilent of two sets of Droknar's armor. On the other hand, if you know you want one of the 15k armors and have the cash on hand already, you might want to just grab that suit and skip Droknar's armor completely.

Peace,
-CxE

Red Locust · Aug 10, 2005, 11:31 PM // 23:31

Unless I'm playing an up-close-and-personal character, like a warrior, I'd just take the sanctum cay armor and stick with it. I got that stuff for my monk, and it's only 3AL less than the droknar's armor. It's barely going to make a difference if you're only getting hit every once in a while, it's cheaper, and it saves you the trouble of buying more sets of armor later on.

This is, of course, if it's your first pve char. If you're loaded, just get a guildie/runner to run you to droknar's forge and save yourself a lot of trouble.