Tier 3 Paranoia

I'm planning ahead for my next Hall of Heroes mission, granting me Tier 3 access.
I am very paranoid about being stuck and just going with the flow and getting the cheapest stuff for my loadout.
Why is that?
You get what you pay for.
This is quite messy, so just help me out here.

I'm trying to get out of fullout generic gear, so I researched a bit on the SK wiki.
I'll be giving lots, but I'll link individually too.

Swords:
Blizzbrand, but I still need an Iceburst Brandish.
But I'm also wanting a Vile Striker.

Shields:
It's better to have just Normal Defense, so I'm considering tossing away my piercing defense, because I usually die of status effects. (About 7/10 times)
I want to get the Wise Owlite Shield, but if I were to go by its alchemy path, then I would have to buy this first.
Or you can disregard what I said, and I'll just take this, because I already have its predecessor.

Helmets:
Should I stick with my current helm, and make it mighty? Upgrade my forsaken one?
or Start a new path?

Armor:
I'm getting tired of typing...
This one.
Or this one.
I have the 2 star versions.
Except this one.
I have its direct predecessor.

Guns: (optional, because I like to buy my swords first)
This, but I need this, because I have this.
But I want this too, but I need that.

Help me out please!
I want to know what I'm saving for... not just on the spot Auction House GET THIS AAAAH

-Blue

Bluegod wrote:
Swords:
Blizzbrand, but I still need an Iceburst Brandish.
But I'm also wanting a Vile Striker.

I fully endorse the Blizzbrand line. A elemental weapon becomes a necessity in shadow depths- nothing clears zombies as efficiently. Freeze is also extremely versatile.

I don't use the Striker lines myself, but I've heard some good things about the Vile Striker. Can't go too wrong with a poison weapon though. Great for boss fights.

Bluegod wrote:
Shields:
It's better to have just Normal Defense, so I'm considering tossing away my piercing defense, because I usually die of status effects. (About 7/10 times)
I want to get the Wise Owlite Shield, but if I were to go by its alchemy path, then I would have to buy this first.
Or you can disregard what I said, and I'll just take this, because I already have its predecessor.

If you're planning on going with one shield for awhile, I'd recommend going with the highest normal defense since it's always relevant (I could be wrong about this). Eventually though you'll want to branch out.

Bluegod wrote:
Guns: (optional, because I like to buy my swords first)
This, but I need this, because I have this.
But I want this too, but I need that.

Can't go wrong with an Autogun variant, I'd say. Sure comes in handy in Trojan/Devilite fights. Never used a Magnus before, but I've seen great things been done with it.

I don't feel like I'm qualified to talk too much about armor choices having only stuck with a couple throughout my knight's career. Can't go wrong with the Wolver set for now, since the sword bonus will come in handy. Like shields though, eventually you'll want to branch out.

If you want the blight needle, you're going to need to play a lot, and I mean a lot, of lockdown. However, if you enjoy lockdown, I'd recommend voltedge over glacius. Not because it's the opposite of what cael's said(well, partly) but because glacius is more of a solo weapon, while voltedge is a team weapon, and generally, team playing is recommended

I'd not recommend the magnus lines, due to that they're very underwhelming at the moment. However, they've been promised a buff at some point, so you may want it. However, blight needle, although many people say it's useless and underpowered, it's only that compared to blitz. it is still very OP, just that it's not quite as OP as Blitz.

I'd 100% recommend you get a wise owlite shield, as it will help you infinitely in FSC, ICMF, UICMF, and UFSC. However, ageis, the 5* version of the defender, is nowhere near as useful. Experience from having the honor version.

I'd recommend the wolver lines over the plain cobalt, as it's a little less defense for the extra damage, which will show on the elemental brandish.

And on the armour, I'd say wolver again, as you're planning on being a swordie, with a sidearm. If you do feel like going gunner, get the gunslinger set, and also you could see if someone can get you a mask of seerus.

And finally, Vile striker, is sometimes quite useful, especially on non-mobile enemies, like gun pups and similar, and in the FSCs, the vana masks.

So what I got from this:

Blizzbrand is a yes.
Vile Striker would make a good third weapon.

Blight Needle is a yes, but would take a while to achieve.
Magnus is shaky territory, so I'll experiment with it once I'm Vanguard.

Wise Owlite Shield is a yes, great for FSC and other stuff I don't know.
Mighty Defender is a good shield, but I'll need to get better ones with status resist.

Wolver set all the way.
Kick Cobalt to the curb.
Get gunslinger if I want to be a gunner.
Not on this knight! (yes i use my other slots)

So I know the armor, helmet, and gun I'm going to use.
I'm leaning towards the Blizz, VS as a plan b.
Owlite is tempting.. Dunno about the defender.

At the moment I'll replace my striker (maxed heat) with a soon to be Nightblade (recipe). It'll help me in JK runs which I will be doing for crowns. Still sticking to Blizzbrand! 2 brandishes.

My Turn!
(Note: all gear choices are underlined, but only DEADSHOT MANTLE is linked to the page, in case you want to look at it.)

Swords:
I fully endorse getting a Glacius(eventual 5* of the blizzbrand) as well. I think it's a nice, safe option. It was my first 5* sword and I still use it from time to time. I won't lie, the Voltedge is amazing and I use it more, but the sword really reflects your style, but I would recommend both of them. The Combuster also has it's own perks. It's strength being mostly in it's charge. Honestly, the Brandish line is great any way you go.

Shields:
The Owlite line is a good way to go, generally. It's a nice overall shield. You also have to ask yourself what you want to spend your time doing. Most people want to get to FSC, in which case, elemental is still viable against Vanaduke + the random gun puppies. Although, Shadow is the main theme of the 8-9 rank missions. It switches here and there, but it's mostly shadow type damage. If you're thinking of arcading, the Honor Guard is probably a good first shield to go with.

Helmets: Honestly, I never use my Cobalt set really. I upgraded the helmet to the 5* version because I like how it looks, but in terms of functionality, there are better normal/piercing helmets out there. The Wolver is popular, but deservedly so. It has a nice sword damage bonus once it gets to 5* (Skolver). If it's between Wolver, Jelly, and Cobalt, I would recommend the Wolver set as the better of the 3.

Armors:
Well, if you are thinking of swording, (since you are saying that guns should be optional at the moment) the Ash Tail would be the way to go. Again, you could buy the demo suit or use the sunset duster, but think functionality, what is going to provide you with what you need for your gear? The Ash Tail will give you the added Sword Damage bonus and it will make a difference. Unless you plan on bombing, the demo suit is not a path you should venture down. I use a Deadshot Mantle myself, as it provides an undead damage bonus, as well as the gunning ASI, but the undead damage bonus was the reason I got it. Otherwise, as a sworder, normally, this wouldn't be the best option. So, my opinion: Ash Tail would fit you best.

Guns:
I'd talk to Veolen about gun choices. He can tell you best. Alas, I would promote the Polaris, Valiance, Argent Peacemaker, Sentenza, and Blitz. Blight Needle I would also advocate, only that you would definitely need to do a lot of Lockdown or Blast Network. I found the Valiance to be a good sidearm, even if it only does normal damage. It's a good all around gun and it's knockback can be very useful. I'm not much of a gunner, but that's my opinion.

i wrote that for nothing -.-

Two brandishes is a good move. However, it could be an idea to get a faust instead, as that is ideal in lockdown, and you can probably get a veteran+ to give you a faust recipe. I think. If not, I'm dead via officer.

Just found a faust recipe. 10k , no tips if you're interested. Good luck with the gear choice. It's definitely something to put some thought into.