[Effedup]

Okay, so my main job is 33 MNK. I was suggested this job by some rl friends who got me into playing FFXI as one of the easiest jobs to play and a good starter job...so far it's been great, out of all the jobs I've played around with MNK is still my fave, which is a good thing, I guess... ^^

Anyways, I'm starting to hit the point where running around in crappy gear is becoming less acceptable, and gear selection isn't as easy as it used to be. I've read some of the MNK gear guides out there, and sub 40's it's pretty standard fare, but then the ridiculously expensive gear starts creeping in there. Well, expensive for me, anyways...I feel like a millionaire when I'm rolling with 500k.

So, as a 33 MNK, what would you other MNKs say should be the first piece of "uber" gear I focus on trying to get? I'm looking for something that isn't too terribly pricey, and has uses for a few other jobs if possible. I've been into mining lately, but earning gil without a specific goal in mind other than "I want lots of gil" is kinda boring. And I need some motivation to not drop 100k on my lowbie jobs everytime I decide to take one of them out (now that I have a bankroll, albeit a small one, I think it's necessary to have a complete +1 HQ set of everything at level 7 because I'm stupid, more or less. At least I'm honest ^^) .

So please, someone give me some good suggestions for what I can save for. Oh, and did I mention I'd like to be able to use said gear sometime in the near future as MNK? I don't want to drop gil on something I can't even use for 30 levels.

Thanks for any suggestions... ^^

[Jarre]

Well first thing is to look at what race you are, what stats are lacking.

It will help to get armour that raises Str, VIT and Acc as key stats.

Next you need to think about lvl 41 ability Chi Blast.

It is stronger the more mind you have so by the time you reach 41 ou could do with some items you can macro in to boost those Mind stats to make that ability stronger.

Dex can also help as a stat to boost.

wiki advises at lvl 30 Mercenary captans headgear and doublet, battle gloves of fed tekko, Federation Kyahan, purple belt and spike necklas, 2x Beetle earings nomads mantel rings any that give +str or +acc.

Keep this till 40 with the exception of swapping spike necklass with peacock armlet/ charm (NM fight) at lvl 33,

At lvl 40 you need Brown belt which is a quest item or you can buy it from the AH for around 600k if you buy it, so best get a group of friends and quest it
Other than a few tweaks to increase the stats mentioned the other piece of gear which is a must is a Jujitsu Gi. Unfortunately its not cheap and costs around 250k or is a lvl 40 fight in davoi where that Nm also drops a Jujitsu sitibaki which is a slight upgrade for the legs.

Remember after 41 start investing in some +mind gear to help boost chi blast.

Hope that helps a bit as I say other items can work, but can be expensive and it depends on your race for how much certain stats could be boosted to assist.

[IfritnoItazura]

To OP:

What do you have now?

Some choice gears I've seen on LS members who have invested in MNK and/or SAM:
- Lv.25 Republic Subligar
- Lv.34? Ochiudo's Kote (I guess Horomusha Kote is also ok?)
- Lv.40 Jujitsu Gi
- Lv.40 Marksman's/Sniper Ring (Some go with x2, some use Venerer Ring)

Most of those are not cheap, but I've noticed everyone in LS uses those on MNK and SAM. Some also uses Tilt Belt (Lv.40) or Life Belt (Lv.48), and one accuracy-mad Tarutaru tossed in a Peacock Charm in his SAM setup on top of every acc gear mentioned so far.

Also look to your RSE pieces for STR, depending on species.

p.s. Yes, we all joke about the Republic Subligar. At least it's not Speedo...

[Effedup]

Yeah, I suppose knowing what I have now would kinda be important information....my bad.

Weapon - Impact Knuckles
Head - Merc. Captain's Headgear
Body - Merc. Captains Doublet
Hands - Federation Tekko
Waist - Purple Belt
Legs - Merc. Captain's Hose
Feet - Merc. Captain's Gaiters
Neck - Spike Necklace
Back - Nomad's Mantle +1
Ear 1 & 2 - Beetle Earring +1
Ring 1 & 2 - Courage Ring

Actually looking to pick up Rep. Subligar soon...I remember when I hit 25 I wanted to pick them up, but they were pricey at the time and I couldn't afford them. What's the price like now? I completely forogot about it since then...

Thanks for any suggestions! ^^

Oh yeah, almost forgot...I'm Elvaan ^^

[Akashimo]

As for rings, my mnk friends recommends keeping 1 str ring on and 1 acc ring. At least for DDing. 4 key stats to focus on, vit (for chakra and ws at and after howling fists), dex(for pre howling fist levels), str(all the time reguardless of race), and mnd(for chi blast). Oh and o-kotes really makes a difference in dd damage ^^. Once you get 40, Tourney patas were sweet to use. Don't forget the + haste and attack gear. Though try to balance with ACC to keep high and constant attacks. Even as a mithra, too much attack makes my tp gain and consistancy low for DDing.

[Omni]

you dont need mnd gear until you hit 75.
you are far more useful beating things with ur fists than chi blasting pre-end game.
plus, all the nice mnd gear is way later anyways.

[Celeal]

First, I would suggest for Jujitsu Gi (body DEF:27 Accuracy+4), it is good from level 40 to 55 ~ 58, very good investment, and the price is very reasonable for player 1st job to lvl 75 ^^b

The rest of gear depends on which food you are going to use. Some player primary use sushi in early levels, and others stick to attack food until late 50s ~ 60s levels. I also know some players bring both sushi and attack food to parties, with different gear setup to match with the food.

IMHO, the focus is:
(1) You punch as accuracy as possible.
(2) You punch as hard as possible.
(3) You punch as fast as possible.

If you are using attack food, the priority of gear focus should be (1) -> (2) -> (3) (see above).

If you are using sushi, the priority of gear foucs should be (2) -> (1) or (3).

However, balance is important. For example, if you pile up a lot of STR+, but lack of ATK+, you may not reach the full potential.

MNK may seems an easy job on the surface, but there are subtle things involved. Sometimes equip all those "uber" gear may have negative impact, like too much hate from damage output and result in death or MP sink.

Just my 2 gil

[Vyuru]

If you can't afford Republic Subligar you could always use Bastokian Subligar, way cheaper.

Also if you are a mithra then Okote, or it's new equivilant or Hkote + Jujitsu Gi are mandatory. Mithra look far too sexy in that outfit to not use it

[Akashimo]

Originally Posted by Vyuru

If you can't afford Republic Subligar you could always use Bastokian Subligar, way cheaper.
Also if you are a mithra then Okote, or it's new equivilant or Hkote + Jujitsu Gi are mandatory. Mithra look far too sexy in that outfit to not use it

Yup yup yup =P

[Effedup]

Thanks for the suggestions everybody! I've actually been kinda looking at the Jujitsu Gi off and on for a while now, and according to ffxiah.com they're going for about 360k or there abouts, so it seems like it's a relatively cheap "good" piece of gear.

Of course, I've been drooling over the O.Kote since I hit the teens, but even now with the "relaxed" economy they're still going for 1.3 mil on Fairy, so it's a little outside of my budget right now. I just looked it up on ffxiclopedia and it says "unknown BCNM", but it did give me a link to the rare/ex equivalent Ochimusha Kote, which drops from Mee Deggi The Punisher in Castle Oztroja. Anyone out there care to share their experiences with this NM? Specifically, is it worth it to camp for him or is buying Ochiudo's Kote the more realistic expectation? Also, at what level would it be feasible to duo or trio him? I understand that really depends on what jobs are available, but I've got peeps in my LS that would go out with me if need be, but getting 6 peeps together in less than 6 hours is like pulling teeth, hence the duo or trio option...

(Side question concerning rare/ex drops from NM's now...does that mean that the Ochiudo's Kote will not drop anymore, meaning I should expect the price to skyrocket due to lack of non-rare/ex gear entering the market? Just curious...especially since it may make my "worth it to camp or just buy" question a moot point ^^ )

Anyways, to answer your question, Celeal, I usually eat Rice Dumplings when I'm exping, primarily for the +5 Acc and +3 str. I tend to whiff it a lot as an Elvaan MNK, and I'm always trying to boost my accuracy...if you (or anyone) have any better food suggestions I'm all ears. I'm always trying to be a better MNK ^^

[Malacite]

If your accuracy is okay (and with focus it should be, at least for every 2/5 minutes) you can't go wrong with a pair of O.Kote, some good attack food (Dhalmel/Wild Steak) and /WAR.

You'll be a total hate magnet lol, but damned if the damage won't rock.

[Celeal]

I used Rice Dumpings until level 48 too. At level 40 I would also suggest for Tilt Belt (DEF:3 Accuracy+5 Evasion-5), it should be very cheap in terms of price.

For weapons, Mythril Knuckles +1 is great for Rice Dumplings (DMG:+10 Delay:+91 Accuracy+3)... I had tried Tourney Patas, Himantes +1, Mythril Knuckles, Mythril Claws, and Tropical Punches (oh my goodness XD) until level 50ish. For Rice Dumplings or sushi, Mythril Knuckles +1 has a good balance. I had Tropical Punches as backup if I ate attack+ food and it turned out to be a whiff contest.

Edit:
If you are using attack+ food (even with Rice Dumplings), you will want acc+ for Raging Fists.

[Vyuru]

Well, I'm not sure about the NM but I can tell you that the mobs where he spawns con easy prey- decent match for a lvl 42ish red mage, and some will aggro and some will not, you WILL get elemental aggro there still if one should spawn in that room.

[Kildem]

Thanks for doing this thread and for the intelligent title, "necessary". I don't know what is your meter of evaluation, so i will tell you what i think. Consider I am monk lvl 72.
Ochiudo kote? Not necessary.
Scorpion harness? Not necessary.
That's all i have to say.
Brown belt? Very nice to have, work on it if you have time and help.

[Lunaryn]

Resounding second (third? fourth?) on Republic Subligar. I use this on just about every melee job I have that high. It's still my current leg gear on THF at 60 (I may swap in AF pants situationally, but that's my main equipment). It is a solid investment, especially in terms of reuse among other jobs. The only real downside is that it's subligar, which many people don't like the look of (though for Tarutaru at least, I think it complements a doublet nicely).