Quick Answer — The Golden Rule
Upgrade your weapon first, replace before over-refining, and follow Build Plan after Job 2. The biggest beginner mistake is pushing quest gear to +10 when you will swap it at level 40. ROW's safe refine system protects gear from destruction, but stones still cost time — spend them on gear you will keep through week two and beyond.
Updated July 28, 2026. Slot basics: Equipment Guide. Refine mechanics: Safe Refinement +15. Week two targets: Week Two Guide.
| Stage | Weapon Target | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Levels 1–30 | +4 to +5 quest/story gear | Main quest, minimal investment |
| Job 2 (~Lv40) | +7 main weapon | Build Plan unlocks — follow templates |
| Week 2 | +10 weapon | Resonance Level 2 on armor slots |
| Month 1 | +10 core set | MVP cards, dungeon BiS pieces |
Gear You Should NOT Refine Early
- Quest reward weapons you will replace before Job 2 — stop at +5 unless hard-stuck.
- Off-class gear from Job Freedom experiments — commit one farmer first per Job Freedom Strategy.
- Low-rarity accessories without card slots worth enchating — replace before rolling enchants.
- Armor before weapon +7 — kill speed funds everything else.
Full mistake list: Beginner Mistakes. Budget stones with Refine Cost Planner.
After Job 2 — Build Plan Changes Everything
Reaching Job 2 around level 40 unlocks the in-game Build Plan system — recommended equipment, stats, and skills for your chosen path. This is your first major power spike: stop guessing and align upgrades with template targets on Build Recommendation.
Post-Job 2 priorities:
- Pick one build path (ADL Hunter, AoE Wizard, Knight tank, etc.) — full class breakdown: Job 2 Builds.
- Replace gear when Build Plan shows a clear upgrade — meaningful stat jumps justify investment.
- Push main weapon toward +10 using Time Corridor and MVP materials.
- Slot two Vadon Cards for Fire farming if applicable — Vadon Card Farming.
Mid Game (Levels 40–60) and Endgame
Mid game means investing in core armor pieces that support your build, not chasing perfect rolls on every slot. Replace gear when higher rarity drops from dungeons or MVPs provide meaningful stat increases — not every +1 upgrade tier warrants stones.
Endgame loadouts split by activity: MVP hunt set, farming set, optional PvP pieces. ROW eliminates traditional Combat Power (CP) gates — victory depends on skill, refine breakpoints, and card synergy rather than a single gear score number. Maintain multiple situational pieces instead of one theoretical best-in-slot list.
Watch the embedded gear features video below. Daily material income: Daily Priority and Dungeons Guide.