Close to the Heart

End game, arguably the beginning of the goodness. I gained access, I joined a shell and together we had Gods falling to their knees. Then, my video card died, I was away for 2 months and ZOMGWTFBBQ the ls is destroyed when I came back. So close, and yet so, so far away from my gear. So what to do now? Join up with another shell, start from scratch and work my way back up the list? I chose not to. Instead, I want to get back to what I found most enjoyable, having each day I log in be a surprise, rather then a rigid scheduled event.

I noticed last night, while scouring the Auction House for a new body piece for my Warrior, that once the masses hit 75 all they want to talk about is end game and God gear. What about the rest of us? We want good stats, we want to do the uber damage but do we really want to spend five plus hours, three nights a week, for six months on some desolate island for one piece of armor that 70% of the other players already have?

So the question stands, is it possible, to create a build comparable to the 1337 +1 without sacrificing your life to endgame? Now, since my WAR is whats on my mind lets talk this one out today.

The undisputable stepping stone. Can you even level past 59 without one? Not unless someone is really, really, desperate for a DD or, your are a level sync noob. Very solid stats but really, can it compete? With half of the strength and dexterity of an an Kirin's Osode, the most commonly sought after end game body, no one will complain if you show up in this. Warrior already has the evasion of a brick wall so the -20 evasion is not much of a deterrent. The -5 agility is also negligible if you don't use many ranged attacks. But lets face it, I'm sorry I have to go there but, it's ugly. I said it now, I will wince for the backlash. Personally, I would not continue on higher then possible with this piece unless, you have already leveled several of the jobs able to wear it.

Okay, a lot of people over look this piece as a purely cosmetic step up. And I will argue that point into the ground. On the one hand it is very limiting seeing as how only WAR, DRK, and BST can wear it, the stats its missing are worth it if you have a job that can wear it. You get to keep your precious agility for those of us that do like to throw in a ranged attack or two once in a while. Also the -10 evasion is only a nibble compared to the Hauby. I play a Mithra so our evasion is already decent but this just adds that much more to your survivability regardless of race. The Defense is only 2 points higher then its little sister and the strength, dexterity, accuracy, and attack are all the same. Still only half and Osode for the stats that count but a good piece for what it is missing rather then what you are gaining. I personally suggest snatching up one of these even if you have future plans to level a damage dealing job that can't wear it, there is nothing wrong with having both. I also have to say that this is a huge aesthetic upgrade as well. It's nice and black so it can blend in with any of your other pieces and it does not have the flaps that make your hind quarters, or hips in my case, look ridiculously huge.

For those of you leveling SAM this is a very decent piece. I really won't say much on it as there are betters out there but the strength and weapon skill accuracy bonuses cannot be over looked. Grey and green are not my idea of a nice colour pallet but hey, work it girl! This is a good macro piece for weapon skills but for TPing I would look elsewhere.

Now we get into the good stuff! At first look this breastplate is laughable. A mainly DD pieces with no strength? Okay, yes it has its downsides, but look closer. Most weapon skills for Monk are vitality based anyways and + 7 vitality is not something to laugh at. Not that I would laugh at anyone wearing hooked brass knuckles anyway.... please, don't hurt me! Really does pain my heart that WAR cannot equip this piece, Steel Cyclone would get a great boost off this! Now while this piece does take some dedication to obtain it can be done in a day, providing you have the friends to help. It is a drop off King Arthro in the past, so no easy feat. For those slightly less "inspired" to go to those lengths you can purchase it. Money making guides will be updated soon so hold on to your panties.

Here we go, my own personal wet dream and ambition. I am currently going for this piece. Strength and Dexterity equal to that of the ever loved Osode with an additional 3% to your crit hit rate. As a Mithra I am a bit sensitive about my crits. With naturally high dexterity, plus capped crits merited what can I say, I want the mob to feel it. To get a full 3% above like a sweet cherry on top of an already sweet sundae how can one go wrong? I have to say in my opinion it is one of the best purchasable items out there. Getting this is not easy task either. Guivre expects a visit to his lair in the past before he decides if you are worthy. On the other hand, since this is still so new you really wont see many others with it. Unique piece, awesome stats, now that's my kind of body piece.

Now, to be fair I have to add this piece. Yes, yes, yes, I realize it is a piece of the God gear that this posting is trying so hard to avoid however, it is also purchasable. What to say about a Kirin's Osode that has not already been said? Nothing. Really I'm bored of this piece as good as it is. The stats are undeniable, but not the best in game. It looks decent but really its generic. Generic caviar, but caviar none the less. This body piece has anything you need for all of the equip-able jobs but not really everything you need for any one of them.

Kirin's Osode will always stand as a favorite choice amongst players but I have to say that you can get better overall stats by experimenting with a range of different equipment and gear set ups rather then just going for the trophies. And now, that I have finished bashing your beloved Osode you may hand down your sentence.