Best gear for a PLD at varius levels

[Lionx]

Shield: From various results, Size 2 shields, are just a gimped Size 3, they dont noticibly block more often, only marginally, and the Size 4 i forgot exactly, but it is not the best shield size as it doesnt seem to block enough damage for the lower proc rate, meaning that Size 3 is the best one to get. Therefore Koenig is the best shield end-gamewise with the exception of maybe Tatami for situational things.

In which Size > DEF most of the time. Kite Shield until RK or TK Shield, then it is good until the next level...in which i forgot, but stick with size 3 always if you can, only using size 2 if you cannot.

Also, as a way of comparing the different sizes, I've determined the proc rates needed to reduce average damage by 20%.
Size 1: 80%
Size 2: 44.45%
Size 3: 33.34%
Size 4: 25%?

The 80% proc rate (which is seemingly impossible) required for Size 1 shields to reduce damage by 20% speaks a lot about how ineffective they are. Size 2 has a more realistic requirement, but I wasn't able to meet it consistently. On the other hand, my lowest recorded proc rate on Size 3 shields was 32.94%, and I had many close to the 40% range, while only a 33.34% proc rate is needed to reduce average damage by 20%. Size 3 seems like the clear winner in terms of effectiveness between sizes 1 through 3.. The number for Size 4 shields is based off of the assumption that they reduce damage by 80% per shield block. A 25% proc rate is reasonable if you ask me, so they'd probably perform similarly to Size 3 shields.

(http://www.ffxionline.com/forums/pal...-size-3-a.html)

Sword: Get the most DPS sword you can get, basically it should be pretty easy to get by with any sword, around 39 you can get Grudge Sword or just use your AF Weapon. Around lvl 50 TM Espadon is noticibly the best sword out there. Then TM Espadon +1 which is cheaper i believe on most servers than the NQ one because of people wanting to HQ2 it.

Then i do not believe Gluttony is very useful, its +7VIT but i dont believe VIT is of any real noticible difference if you choose to go DEF and VIT most of the way. If you look at it, the delay is more, and i believe is marginally better than TM Espadon +1 if i remember right around 9ish....my friend Armando has convinced me that the DPS of Save the Queen (which is 10) is alot better off than Gluttony in which you can always every 3 min do very accurate Vorpal Blades Covering activating its Latent. Otherwise i believe Bastard Sword is stronger.

(http://www.ffxionline.com/forums/pal...ony-sword.html)

Body- Natural Progression of course, Scale => Lizard => Chainmail => Kampf or Eisen => RS Chainmail => Bridgidine => IM Armor or if you have done COP up til the Aquaduects you can get a Parade Curiass(best til AF with the same Enimity bonus and more HP) => AF Armor until you get other goodies.

Hands- I used RS Gloves with +3 ATK until Chainmail, then its pretty much natural progression from there. I might wager however to get those bracelets with +STR from those giants if you can though. Rush Gloves are also fine if you like it.

Backpiece- Use Wolf Mantle +1 or if you can find any, use Breath Mantle, then around lvl 36 or 38, you can purchase High Breath Mantle, which is the BEST piece of back armor for the rest of the game i believe.

http://ffxi.somepage.com/itemdb/8049

Neck- I would use the necklace for 1 lvl, then switch to Spike Necklace, the MND doesnt do much for you besides resisting White Magic, so the STR and DEX can only help you hit more often and more stronger to help. Afterwards you CAN switch to a Medival Collar if you like, eventually though i would use RG Collar.

Rings- VIT until Jelly Rings or other better rings.

Waist: I dont believe the VIT on this thing is worth it compared to the Brave Belt : http://ffxi.somepage.com/itemdb/1848

I would use that until the Life Belt to help your Accuracy higher. Depends on your setup of course, but i personally will go Leather => War +1 => Brave => Lifebelt => Switch between Life and Warwolf.

Warwolf: http://ffxi.somepage.com/itemdb/6258

Earrings: Always go with +MP until you get earrings in which can noticibly increase another stat. You might use Onyx and its HQ cousins until maybe Pigeon Earrings, otherwise quite possibly if you are an Elvaan(right?) that Cure+ Potency Earring can maximize your Cures for hate. Otherwise....quite possibly more MP or AGI earrings wouldnt hurt. But i strongly recommend you look at the Cure+Potency Earring because of your lower MP pool.

Ranged: Whatever xD; Until i believe Ltng Bow, or Bibiki Seaslug there isnt much difference in what you have. Quite possibly Rosenbogen is the best once you reach the 70s, but i dont know what new cool item you can get from Assault these days so dont hold me for that.