Runes of Magic US / AU

Opinions may vary. Some depends on your playstyle. IF you are heading right to endgame, wear quest gear while you gather/buy endgame gear and stats. If you take the "see the world" path, and take your time, you may be interested in wearing Instance gear as you get it by running the instances, such as Hall of Survivors, Hall of the Demon Lord, or Rhaksha Temple. In any case, do not spend any money on improving your gear until it is over level 55, maybe not even then.

There is pretty decent quest reward gear available right through to endgame level which will allow you to complete most open-world-quests. You will likely need some help for world bosses and instances which might allow you access to slightly better gear.

After level 50, successfully completing minigames will reward you with Phirius Shells which you can use to gain endgame-equivalent gear (well, almost equivalent) and stats which you can use or sell.

In Lower City West of Varanas, look for Alice Habin as she sells refinement gems for gold. You can probably use these to get your gear to +1 but I wouldn't recommend you try to go any higher as the failure rate is so high.

After level 50, you should try to keep an eye out for Hall of Survivors runs as most high level players don't mind lower-levels coming along for the ride to get quests completed and to get whatever items that drop - after all, most of us don't need any of it any more. Just make sure you know what's going on with the color-boss.

My recent WD/W I made is still in full quest gear, but with a Wep upgrade thanks to a guildy. More then enough to stay alive. There is enough empty stat slots to put a few stats on each pce if you want more out of the gear.

Personaly I would say stick to it till you can replace with endgame type gear. Eiter buy someones old gear or take your time to make new gear and learn how it works as you progress.

Also while wearing this quest gear you should be capable of running lower level instances on your own to some point, great way to learn your skills if you are fairly new to the game.

Quoted from "Gorgar"

Also while wearing this quest gear you should be capable of running lower level instances on your own to some point, great way to learn your skills if you are fairly new to the game.

True - After level 50, but more likely to be 55, you should start trying to solo Forsaken Abbey.

Make sure you read up on the strategy for each boss, though - there is aguide on the EU forum somewhere...

O.o FA is easily solo able at lvl 40's in quest gear....but then, it also depends on ur class...