PLD noob question

[Tomiko]

Whatever shield
Kite Shield
Jennet Shield/Heater Shield
RK/TK Shield/Sentinel's Shield (although that last one is pretty stupid imo, you may as well wear a blitz ring at that point.)
Wivre Shield or wait until General's Shield
Koenig Shield

I may have missed a shield or two along the way, but that's what I remember off the top of my head. Kite shields are first available at 28 starting with the Kite Shield. Jennet and Heater Shield are about the same, Heater is like 2 levels later and much cheaper iirc.

I was wondering about that as well, so thanks.

Currently use TK+1, but was wondering if Diamond was worth it instead of waiting til General's/Admiral's.

[Capo]

Also, how much equipment to properly gear oneself for endgame/HNMLS activity is acquirable without said HNMLS activity? (Feel free to define that as you will.)

90-95%

[Ferien]

Also, how much equipment to properly gear oneself for endgame/HNMLS activity is acquirable without said HNMLS activity? (Feel free to define that as you will.)

90-95%

"Entry-level" gear, 100%, but be prepared to spend some gil and look kind of funny, since you can tank perfectly fine in a combination of AF and Dusk. "Standard" gear will take some time to gather from Limbus and Dynamis.

[Kyupi/Kij]

Luto: Thanks for the list. Correct me if I'm wrong, but would I be correct to infer from there the way to choose shields is Size 3 > Defense > Stats? I just remember noticing there's pretty wide gaps for shields between some levels where kites seem to fall behind a bit in terms of pure numeric defense.

Capo/Ferien: I guess my real question is what the last 5-10% is for "standard" gear, and what an AH PLD is missing in comparison; I figure most people are modestly wealthy by 75 or have the means to become so (hallo there piles and piles of seals, points, toka). On one hand, I'm slightly busier than I was a year ago so I'm trying to figure out how far I can go without HNM if I do get more busy. On the other, I liked HNM tanking the last time I played (although whether or not I was good at it is another story lol) and I'm interested in trying it on PLD time allowing, so it'd be nice if I could know how prepared I can be to do "the tank on their level" part without the "getting geared by them" part.

As for Limbus, isn't the only piece really worth upgrading the feet? Unless you want to get Relic body to drop, then you upgrade body and it drops within a week, right? lawls!

[Whytewolf]

I don't like to speak for other people, but I'm fairly certain he was referring to Homam pieces. Homam hands and legs (and situationally feet) are some of the best pieces a pld can get and should be high on your "To Get" list

[Eaglestrike]

Ideal PLD gear at 75 involves AF2 (Rampart/Sentinel/Bash macros, body for normal use) 3/5 Homam, Aegishelm/Bahamut's mask, Valor Cape, Ethereal/Loq earrings and Ares' Body which are all from end-game activities for the most part. My PLD is missing most of that and can tank though, it could just be greatly improved.

[Capo]

i wasnt counting limbus and dynamis as HNMLS events because they arent for me, but i guess it depends whats available on your server. the only things a pld will miss out on from hnm are aegisjhalmer/bahamut mask, hauteclaire/hrotti and defending ring, maybe cerb. mantle but that can be bought. cant really think of anything else, im sure somebody can

as for homam gear im not sure what you meant by upgrading relic body etc etc but you should be aiming for legs hands and feet in that order. hands and feet can be replaced with dusk until you get them but legs are unique and also amazing(4.5% haste on spells yesplz)

[Atlasion]

Ideal PLD gear at 75 involves AF2 (Rampart/Sentinel/Bash macros, body for normal use) 3/5 Homam, Aegishelm/Bahamut's mask, Valor Cape, Ethereal/Loq earrings and Ares' Body which are all from end-game activities for the most part. My PLD is missing most of that and can tank though, it could just be greatly improved.

I don't even bother to take my AF2 hands out of storage anymore. Whatever the enhancement to shield bash was, it wasn't noticable. I sometimes take AF2 head out, but its fairly easy to time when a mob is going to use another TP move.


I've got most of the ideal gear that I wanted for PLD. I'm missing Bahamut's mask, Valor Cape and Ares' Body but Aegishblehhelm and Cerberus mantle make up for that. I still don't see Ares as anything too amazing, or even worth the price tag, for PLD. Tanking HNMs has changed a lot since I joined my endgame LS. When I joined (and had very basic gear) I was mainly tanking Sky Gods, Simurgh and Bune as PLD/WAR with an Earth Staff and sometimes WHM/SMNs rotating Aerial Armour. Both the other 2 main PLDs in my LS have the same, if not better, gear than me so its pretty hard to judge how gear is effecting someones tanking. However, I think I would find it a fair bit harder to tank various HNMs without about 15% gear haste and small amounts of fast cast.

[Luto]

Luto: Thanks for the list. Correct me if I'm wrong, but would I be correct to infer from there the way to choose shields is Size 3 > Defense > Stats? I just remember noticing there's pretty wide gaps for shields between some levels where kites seem to fall behind a bit in terms of pure numeric defense.

All the shields I listed are Kite (size 3) shields. (afaik)

[Atlasion]

Luto: Thanks for the list. Correct me if I'm wrong, but would I be correct to infer from there the way to choose shields is Size 3 > Defense > Stats? I just remember noticing there's pretty wide gaps for shields between some levels where kites seem to fall behind a bit in terms of pure numeric defense.

All the shields I listed are Kite (size 3) shields. (afaik)

I think someone mentioned Wivre shield is bad due to its low low defense. In that case, I think you should go for defense over stats. I don't remember any shields having amazing stats whilst lvling up though.

[Luto]

Royal Knight Army Shield
All Races
DEF: 14 STR +2 MND +1
Lv. 50 PLD / DRK

Sentinel Shield RareExclusive
All Races
DEF: 10 STR +3 Haste +1%
Besieged: Haste +2%
Lv. 50 WAR / RDM / PLD / BST / SAM

Temple Knight Army Shield
All Races
DEF: 14 STR +1 MND +2
Lv. 50 PLD / DRK

Wivre shield.
All Races
DEF: 12 Enmity +5
Lv. 58 PLD / DRK

Diamond Shield
All Races
DEF: 18 VIT +2 Resist Vs. Lightning+10
Lv. 66 PLD

General's Shield
All Races
DEF: 15 CHR +3 Enmity +2
Enhances "Beast Killer" effect
Lv. 69 PLD / DRK

Koenig Shield
All Races
DEF: 22 VIT +5 CHR +5 Enmity +3
Enhances Effect of "Beast Killer"
Lv. 73 WAR / PLD / DRK

If 2-9 DEF makes or breaks your PLD, you have bigger things to worry about than what shield to use.

Even skipping out on a Wivre Shield, you're still without a shield upgrade from until 66 (Diamond Shield). And if you want to argue defense, the Diamond Shield is obviously better because it has 3 more DEF than General's Shield and zomg TWO VIT!!! And spoilers: PLDs don't use a Koenig Shield for the VIT/DEF. >_>

I'm not saying you have to use Wivre, I was just putting it out there as a viable option. Since PLDs are more and more frequently tending to gear for DD in exp while maintaining a tanking role, the Enmity+5 is a nice advantage since you probably are wearing very little in the way of Enmity.

[Eaglestrike]

The reason to note defense is because it's specifically a shield. The amount of damage a shield block reduces is based on shield size and defense rating.

[Ferien]

Everyone seems to forget...the DEF rating on a shield directly effects the amount of damage it reduces when it procs. The formula was something like Reduction = Base + DEF/2, where the base was something like 50% for a size 3 shield. The extra 10 Defense Koenig Shield has over Wivre gives you an extra 5% damage reduction when it blocks, which is between 40~65% of the time depending on skill and mob level. /NIN, this obviously isn't a huge deal, but while leveling /WAR, which is what this thread is about, that 2~3% is worth considering.

[Luto]

Never said use Wivre at 75.

Whatever shield
Kite Shield
Jennet Shield/Heater Shield
RK/TK Shield/Sentinel's Shield (although that last one is pretty stupid imo, you may as well wear a blitz ring at that point.)
Wivre Shield or wait until General's Shield
Koenig Shield

I may have missed a shield or two along the way, but that's what I remember off the top of my head. Kite shields are first available at 28 starting with the Kite Shield. Jennet and Heater Shield are about the same, Heater is like 2 levels later and much cheaper iirc.

I gave a progression. And defense rating or not, you're either using RK/TK/Sentinel until 66 (Diamond Shield) or you can swap out for Wivre at 58. Okay, say you're looking at RK/TK/Sentinel vs Wivre. (Lv50 shields, then looking at the next upgrades, which is Wivre at 58.)

Royal Knight Army Shield
All Races
DEF: 14 STR +2 MND +1
Lv. 50 PLD / DRK

Sentinel Shield RareExclusive
All Races
DEF: 10 STR +3 Haste +1%
Besieged: Haste +2%
Lv. 50 WAR / RDM / PLD / BST / SAM

Temple Knight Army Shield
All Races
DEF: 14 STR +1 MND +2
Lv. 50 PLD / DRK

Wivre shield.
All Races
DEF: 12 Enmity +5
Lv. 58 PLD / DRK

At most you're looking at a 2-4 increase/decrease in DEF. I can't logically see anyone suggesting that 2-4 DEF > 5 Enmity. And if you're arguing the DEF over other stats on a Shield.

Diamond Shield
All Races
DEF: 18 VIT +2 Resist Vs. Lightning+10
Lv. 66 PLD

General's Shield
All Races
DEF: 15 CHR +3 Enmity +2
Enhances "Beast Killer" effect
Lv. 69 PLD / DRK

Diamond shield is DEF18 VIT+2, General's Shield is only DEF15, CHR+3, Enmity+2. Obviously the Diamond wins out because it blocks like what, one more damage each time a block procs?

Wivre (imo) would make a nice kiting piece at 75, just for the higher enmity than Koenig and you're not blocking anyways. 2 enmity might not seem like much, but imo in a kited fight like that where (if you're using one) HBM can wear or you don't have time to stop and use it, etc and your actions are more limited to get/keep hate, I'd favor the two extra enmity over VIT CHR and Beastkiller. But that's just me and I could be wrong. *cue screenshots of Ryko at one of the last KBs where Koenig > Aegis comment cause of beastkiller.*

One last edit. otherwiki says Wivre is a size 3 shield but I also seem to remember in another PLD discussion we had here that it was a size 3. As I don't own one myself cause I don't need it currently, can anyone reconfirm/deny shield size?

[Elesirdur]

As for Limbus, isn't the only piece really worth upgrading the feet? Unless you want to get Relic body to drop, then you upgrade body and it drops within a week, right? lawls!

+1 Body's good too. I don't do Dynamis, so it works well for me and I've been enjoying it a lot since I got it last year. (Took like 4 months to get that fucking White Rivet to drop ><)

[Atlasion]

As for Limbus, isn't the only piece really worth upgrading the feet? Unless you want to get Relic body to drop, then you upgrade body and it drops within a week, right? lawls!

+1 Body's good too. I don't do Dynamis, so it works well for me and I've been enjoying it a lot since I got it last year. (Took like 4 months to get that fucking White Rivet to drop ><)

Heh, it tooke ages to get White Rivet to drop too. Running about with Valor Body, Koenig Cuirass, Homam gears.. With NQ AF feet on

Needless to say, I never bothered to get AF+1 body. I do think its worth it for /NIN if you don't have AF2 though. Get AF+1 feet first though.

[Sanjiyan]

At 66 this is what I'm using.

Espadon +1
Sentinel's Shield (3str is nice, the haste can't hurt, gonna wear it until koenig since I don't see anything better except maybe ice shield)
Happy Egg/Tiphia Sting

AF Head (2 emnity)/Voyager Sallet
Shield Touque/Parade Gorget/Chiv Chain
Intruder's/Hospitaler/Coral Earring
Shield Earring/Assault Earring

Haubergeon
AF Hands (2 emnity)/Pallas brc.
Herc Ring (3 emnity)/Toreador
Rajas

Amemet +1
Swift Belt/Potent Belt
RK Breeches
AF Feet/Savage Gaiters

So it's around 7 emnity (I macro in a loldash sash for 9 emnity on vokes/flashes). I considered Wivre shield but decided to just save my gil instead. I can get a good amount of +str when I WS, and 350-450 vorpals aren't uncommon with highs of 700-800, which definitely helps hold hate when I WS at the beginning of a fight (this is with bream sushi, what I usually eat). Sentinel shield isn't that bad considering how long you can use it for, IMO.

[Luto]

I'm not sure if I would've used it or not leveling up PLD, possibly now because of the DD route you're almost required to take. You can still straight tank np but who likes 4k/hr on Colibri?

[Woozie]

Needless to say, I never bothered to get AF+1 body. I do think its worth it for /NIN if you don't have AF2 though. Get AF+1 feet first though.

I got my AF+1 boots a week after I got sea, then had the HQ body like two weeks after that. Both pieces seemed to drop pretty fast for me.

[Ferien]

Luto: Thanks for the list. Correct me if I'm wrong, but would I be correct to infer from there the way to choose shields is Size 3 > Defense > Stats? I just remember noticing there's pretty wide gaps for shields between some levels where kites seem to fall behind a bit in terms of pure numeric defense.

Capo/Ferien: I guess my real question is what the last 5-10% is for "standard" gear, and what an AH PLD is missing in comparison; I figure most people are modestly wealthy by 75 or have the means to become so (hallo there piles and piles of seals, points, toka). On one hand, I'm slightly busier than I was a year ago so I'm trying to figure out how far I can go without HNM if I do get more busy. On the other, I liked HNM tanking the last time I played (although whether or not I was good at it is another story lol) and I'm interested in trying it on PLD time allowing, so it'd be nice if I could know how prepared I can be to do "the tank on their level" part without the "getting geared by them" part.

As for Limbus, isn't the only piece really worth upgrading the feet? Unless you want to get Relic body to drop, then you upgrade body and it drops within a week, right? lawls!

Oh hey, i missed this post last time i scanned the topic. It's easiest to gear yourself for /NIN from the AH and stuff you can obtain without an HNMLS. A basic setup would look like this:

Mac+1/Koenig or Wivre
Rosenbogen, Lamian Kaman, Happy Egg, or Bibikishell
Turban
H.Torque, Shield Torque, Parade Gorget
Ethereal, Hades, Bloodbead, Cassie, etc.
Gallant Surcoat
Dusk Gloves
Sattva, Herc, Bloodbead, BQ, Jelly, Mermaid
HBM, Resentment, Lamia mantle
Swift, Speed/Velocious, Trance, Warwolf, RSE
Gallant Breeches
Dusk Ledelsens, Gallant Leggings

That setup gives you max haste with Marches and Haste, with a fair balance of HP and Enmity. None of it requires HNM, sky, Dynamis, Limbus, or Salvage.

From Dynamis you get your AF2, which is all useful for either full-time or JA macros.

From sky you get Koenig Schaller and Crimson Cuisses

From HNM you get:
Hrotti, Hauteclaire
Aegishjalmr, B.Mask
Koenig Cuirass, Diechlings, lolschuhs
Cerberus Mantle (arguably doesn't require an HNMLS, but I'm putting it here anyway)

From Limbus you get:
Homan hands, legs, feet
Loquacious Earring
Boxer's Mantle
AF+1 Feet (and Body, depending)

From Salvage you get Ares's Cuirass

Limbus pieces are probably the most significant, especially the legs, since the extra Haste allows you to switch the Turban to a high-enmity headpiece. Dynamis and sky have a handful of nice pieces, and Salvage is nice too. Realistically, HNM gives you Aegishjalmr and B.Mask. The rest of the stuff from HNM are neat little toys that offer marginal situational improvements over existing gear.