Originally Posted by
Corrderio
Okay I'm home. Sorry for the long delay. Anyway...
Leveling
For progression you got the gist of it. Continuing the main story to unlock new areas (since all HW zones are locked behind progresing the main story) to get EXP and getting aether currents to get your flying mount is a good start. One thing I didn't notice you mentioning were Clan Hunts. If you're not doing these then start on them ASAP since they offer 2 benefits:
1 - Centurio Seals to start gear progression at 60
2 - Modest amount of EXP
There's 4 quests, each one unlocks more marks you can do for seals/EXP:
Lv 53: Let the Clan Hunt Begin (Foundation)
Lv 56: Better Bill Hunting (Foundation)
Lv 59: Top Marks (Idyllshire)
Lv 60: Elite and Dangerous (Foundation)
Clan Marks reset daily so make sure to do them on a daily basis.
Also dungeon grinding isn't too bad in HW at that point from my experience, so it's a good way to get some EXP/possibly better gear.
Additionally if you want an easy 235 weapon, you can start on Palace of the Dead early since the min level required to enter is 17 (The dungeon uses its own leveling system). This can help you skip the i230 Lore Tomestone weapon and save you some time on upgrading armor.
Level 60
For basic ilvl progression, this is what I followed. I'm excluding dungeons since that gear is mostly minor upgrades you won't really have a problem upgrading:
170 - Centurion Seal Weapon/Armor
The seals you gathered from hunts will be a good start to getting you equipped at 60.
180 - Upgraded Centurion Seal Weapon/Armor
If you have spare seals you can spend them to upgrade your gear.
Void Ark Armor
Once you're i175 you can begin Void Ark (The first 24-man raid in HW) while I wouldn't focus on gear since Esoterics tomestone gear is the same iLv, the Mhachi Farthing you get for completing a dungeon per run are used to upgrade your i200 and i230 gear.
200 Antiquated Esoterics Weapon/Armor
Vendor in Idyllshire exchanges Esoterics for i200 gear.
**NOTE: Once you get around a full set I'd suggest finishing the first wing of Alexander (Gordian) the gear probably won't match what you currently have (It's 190), but you want to get started on Midas ASAP.
210 Upgraded Esoterics Weapon/Armor
The Farthings you can get can be exchanged for upgrade items. Take the item/piece of equipment to another vendor in Idyllshire which will upgrade the gear.
**NOTE: Once you're fairly comfortable and your average is i200+ begin on Alexander Midas. The gear here is i220 but your goal is getting to the final instance (Burden of the Son) ASAP for the weekly Midan Gear drop. The sooner you can start the less of a hassle you'll have on your i230 weapon.
230 - Weeping City Armor
The current 24-man raid. Weekly limit on armor. You also get a Mhachi Coin as a weekly drop which is used to upgrade your Lore Tomestone armor.
230 - Tomestone of Lore Weapon
There's a bit of a catch for your Tomestone of Lore weapon. In order to obtain it you need 1 High-capacity Tomestone (Which is obtained in one of the Alexander Midas Savage instances or for 7 Midan Gears) and 10 Rowena's Token (Lore)s. This process will take 3 weeks if you get the tomestone from Savage and 7 if you get it by exchanging Midan Gears. Whatever the choice remember you'll need 1000 Tomestones of Lore for as well.
**NOTE: Unless you plan on upgrading your knife through Midas Savage/until they allow the drop outside of it, you can completely skip this and begin working on your i235 from Palace of the Dead to help save you some time.
230 - Tomestone of Lore Armor
General exchange for Tomestones of Lore. No catch like the weapon.
240 - Augmented Tomestone of Lore Armor
The Mhachi Farthing and Coin you get from the 24-man instances can be used to buy a higher tier upgrade item to use on your Lore armor. Same vendor for your i200 gear.
**NOTE: You can't upgrade your weapon this way. To get the item to upgrade your weapon you need to do Alexander Midas Savage
After that unless you do Savage/Your relic there isn't much else to go on gear progression wise.
Hope that helps. Sorry for the slop job, but it's a quick reference.