How are you planning gear upgrades?

[NielsenE]

While I don't have a lot of SFS or PFS experience, gear upgrades in PFS seem to be more straightforward -- generally get into the weapon/armor you want and then keep upgrading the enchantment as your wealth allows, since you're only paying the difference in cost for the extra +1, you're seldom "wasting" money.

In SFS, that pattern doesn't hold, and the sell back is only 10%, so it feels like you need to plan to be more strategic in your upgrades. It also looks like anything you sink into armor upgrades aren't transferable (unlike weapon fusion seals). Of course we don't really know what's going to thrown at us yet, or what type of progression is expected, but I'm trying to come up with a plan/philosophy....

[pauljathome]

My vague plan is to wait until there is gear 2 tiers above me on a chronicle sheet and buy it. Then wait until there is an upgrade that is SIGNIFICANTLY better than what I have before buying it. I think that up tier loot on chronicle sheets is going to matter a lot.

So, at L2 (when I have to lock in the character) buy the best armor/weapons available at L2-4.

Then plan to buy probably Tier 7-8 weapons when affordable and available.

Armor looks like it is going to be more of a pain. Pretty much HAVE to upgrade every 4 levels or so to remain vaguely competitive.

So, with luck (assuming I get gear I want at the right time and can afford it) I'll go from Tier +2 to Tier -1 or 2 equipment.

I also expect some absolutely deadly scenarios as Paizo misguesses how powerful to make enemies :-(. We'll all learn together how important in tier equipment atually is.

[NielsenE]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. And looks like I was misreading the armor slot/upgrade -- that looks like you can take it out and move it to a new armor, as long as its compatible types/number of slots.

[Twitch Stitchwell]

Paul Jackson wrote:

I also expect some absolutely deadly scenarios as Paizo misguesses how powerful to make enemies :-(. We'll all learn together how important in tier equipment atually is.

Already have seen that. I think the level 1 and 2 weapons will be fine for the first 3 levels, maybe a little more depending on the weapon. As for armor, save your money for some really good stuff, and if you can get heavy armor and actually carry it/use it, get it. The 1 or 2 point AC increase at the low levels just doesn't seem to be worth the cost.

[NielsenE]

Relatedily, how are people thinking about fame/reputation boons? Stockpiling until you have enough for body recovery/raise dead/restoration? Or buying some of the faction boons you unlock sooner? Just leveled up, and unlocked tier one of a faction, some of the things look enticing... Waiting to have 20-some-odd first will be a long wait, but feels risky to not save for that contingency first...

[Twitch Stitchwell]

NielsenE wrote:

Relatedily, how are people thinking about fame/reputation boons? Stockpiling until you have enough for body recovery/raise dead/restoration? Or buying some of the faction boons you unlock sooner? Just leveled up, and unlocked tier one of a faction, some of the things look enticing... Waiting to have 20-some-odd first will be a long wait, but feels risky to not save for that contingency first...

Just my opinion, but I think all of the factions have boons that will increase your survivability, especially at lower levels. I can't be certain, as there aren't that many scenarios to test that theory with yet, but I was not planning on stockpiling at the moment.