Welcome to the DRG Gear Guide, a comprehensive resource for optimizing your Dragoon’s equipment in Final Fantasy XI. This guide covers weapons, armor, and accessories for all levels and playstyles.
Weapons
Weapons are crucial for a Dragoon, with polearms being the primary choice. Key options include Bronze Spear (early levels), Mezraq (mid-game), and Gungnir (endgame). Optimize for damage and compatibility with your playstyle.
Weapon Progression
Weapon progression for Dragoons is vital, with key upgrades at specific levels. Start with the Bronze Spear at level 1, progressing to the Brass Spear or Spark Spear by level 14. At level 20, the Platoon Lance offers improved stats, while the Military Spear at level 28 provides even greater enhancements. Reaching level 30 unlocks more advanced options like the Mezraq, which remains effective into the mid-game. For endgame content, the Gungnir (obtained at level 119) is a top-tier choice, offering exceptional damage and compatibility with high-level weapon skills. Upgrading every 5-10 levels ensures consistent DPS growth. Always prioritize weapons that complement your current gear and playstyle, balancing accuracy, attack power, and weapon skill damage.
Best Weapon Skills
For Dragoons, weapon skills are a cornerstone of dealing maximum damage. Drakesbane and Impulse Drive are standout choices, offering high damage output and utility. Drakesbane excels against dragon-type enemies, making it invaluable for content like Hectacomb. Impulse Drive not only deals significant damage but also provides a speed boost, enhancing mobility in combat. At higher levels, Geirskogul becomes the ultimate weapon skill, delivering devastating area-of-effect damage, perfect for endgame encounters. Accuracy is crucial, as missing attacks can negate the benefits of these powerful skills. Always ensure your gear balances attack power and accuracy to maximize weapon skill effectiveness. Additionally, testing and confirming STR modifiers for each weapon skill can help optimize your setup, ensuring you’re making the most of your Dragoon’s offensive capabilities.
Armor
Armor is crucial for a Dragoon’s defense. Pieces vary by level and content, ensuring protection while allowing for offensive capabilities. Upgrade every 10-20 levels to maintain effectiveness.
Head
The head slot for Dragoons offers various options to balance defense and offensive stats. Early levels start with Bronze Bandana 1 and Leather Bandana 1, while Royal Footman’s Bandana becomes available around level 10. Mid-tier options include Askar Zuchetto and Homam Headpiece, providing increased strength and attack bonuses. For endgame, Homam Head is a popular choice, offering high defense and versatility. Other notable pieces include Gletis Cuirass for its balanced stats and Thalassocrat Helm for its unique bonuses. When choosing headgear, prioritize pieces that complement your overall set and playstyle, ensuring a balance of strength, attack, and defense. Pairing with other Homam pieces can enhance set bonuses, making them ideal for advanced content. Always consider your current level and the specific stats needed for your build or content type.
Body
The body slot is crucial for Dragoons, providing significant defense and enhancing various stats. Early levels utilize Leather Vest 1 and Royal Footman’s Vest, while Scale Cuisses offer improved defense mid-level. The Homam Body is a standout choice for endgame, offering excellent defense and versatility. Other notable options include Gletis Cuirass for balanced stats and Thalassocrat Cuirass for unique bonuses. When selecting body armor, consider your current level, desired stats, and set bonuses. Pairing with other Homam pieces can enhance overall performance, making them ideal for advanced content. Always adapt your choice to your playstyle and the specific demands of your content type, ensuring a balance of defense, strength, and attack.
Hands
Choosing the right gloves for your Dragoon is essential for balancing defense and offense. Early on, Bronze Mittens and Vagabond’s Gloves provide reliable defense and dexterity. At higher levels, Royal Footman’s Gloves and Legionnaire’s Mittens offer improved stats. The Homam Hands are a top-tier choice for endgame content, offering excellent strength, dexterity, and defense. Additionally, Gletis Gauntlets and Askar Korazin are strong alternatives, providing unique bonuses like increased critical hit rate or magic defense. When selecting gloves, prioritize pieces that enhance your primary stats while maintaining a balance of defense and offensive capabilities. Pairing Homam Hands with other Homam pieces can yield powerful set bonuses, making them ideal for advanced players. Always consider your playstyle and the specific demands of your content when making your choice.
Accessories
Accessories play a crucial role in enhancing your Dragoon’s performance. Earrings like the Pel. Earring 2 and Brutal Earring boost accuracy and attack power, while belts such as the Virtuoso Belt enhance magic defense. Choose wisely to complement your gear setup and optimize your stats for superior combat effectiveness.
Earrings
Earrings are essential accessories for a Dragoon, enhancing key stats like attack, accuracy, and evasion. The Brutal Earring is highly recommended for its significant attack boost, making it a cornerstone of many DRG setups. The Assault Earring is another strong option, providing a balance of attack and accuracy, which is crucial for maintaining high DPS. For those with access to premium gear, the Pel. Earring 2 offers exceptional accuracy and attack bonuses, making it a top-tier choice. When choosing earrings, consider your playstyle and current gear setup to maximize synergy. Accuracy and attack power are vital for a Dragoon, as they directly impact weapon skill damage and overall effectiveness in combat. Ensure your earrings complement your weapon and armor choices to optimize your performance in both solo and party play scenarios.
Belts
Belts play a crucial role in enhancing a Dragoon’s performance by providing additional stats such as accuracy, attack, and defense. The Virtuoso Belt is a top-tier choice, offering excellent accuracy and attack bonuses, making it ideal for weapon skill damage and overall DPS. Another strong option is the Coiste Bodhar, which provides a balanced mix of defense and attack, making it suitable for both physical and magical defense scenarios. For those focusing on magic evasion, the Flamma Belt, obtained from the Odyssey, is a solid pick; Belts are often overlooked but can significantly enhance your setup when chosen wisely. Ensure your belt complements your overall gear to maximize its effectiveness in various content, whether it’s solo play or party-oriented setups.
Grips and Ammo
Grips and ammo are essential components for a Dragoon, enhancing both offensive and defensive capabilities. The Pole Grip is a standout choice, offering exceptional stats that boost attack and accuracy, making it a cornerstone of any DRG setup. For ammo, Smart Bombs are highly recommended, as they provide a significant increase in weapon skill damage, complementing the Dragoon’s reliance on powerful strikes. Additionally, Tiphia Sting and Angon are excellent alternatives, offering balanced stats that enhance overall performance. When selecting grips and ammo, consider your playstyle and the specific needs of your build, whether focusing on raw damage, accuracy, or survivability. These accessories play a critical role in optimizing your Dragoon’s effectiveness in both solo and party play, ensuring you remain a formidable force on the battlefield.
Wyvern and Pet Gear
Optimizing your Wyvern and pet gear is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness. Homam gear is highly recommended for the Wyvern, while accessories like Patroclus’s Helm and belts enhance pet abilities, boosting attack and defense stats for improved performance in battles.
Wyvern Gear
Equipping your Wyvern with the best gear significantly enhances its performance. The Homam Head, Homam Legs, Homam Hands, and Homam Feet are considered BiS (Best in Slot) for Wyvern gear, offering exceptional attack and defense boosts. These pieces are highly sought after due to their balanced stats, which improve both the Wyvern’s offensive and defensive capabilities. If obtaining Homam gear is challenging, Barone Cosciales is a strong alternative. Additionally, Patroclus’s Helm is a popular choice for Wyverns, providing increased accuracy and attack power. When selecting gear for your Wyvern, prioritize pieces that enhance its attack and defense while maintaining a balance between accuracy and evasion. Properly gearing your Wyvern ensures it remains a formidable ally in battle, complementing your Dragoon’s abilities effectively. Always aim for gear that aligns with your playstyle and the content you are tackling.
Pet Abilities
Optimizing your Wyvern’s abilities is crucial for maximizing its effectiveness in battle. The Wyvern’s Healing Breath ability is particularly valuable, as it restores HP to the Dragoon when their health falls below a certain threshold. This ability is automatically triggered and can be a lifesaver in challenging content. Additionally, the Wyvern’s offensive capabilities can be enhanced through specific gear choices. For instance, equipping your Wyvern with Homam Hands or Homam Feet not only boosts its attack power but also enhances its overall performance. Furthermore, certain armor pieces like Patroclus’s Helm can improve the Wyvern’s accuracy and attack power, making it a more formidable ally. Ensuring your Wyvern is well-equipped and its abilities are utilized effectively significantly enhances your Dragoon’s combat efficiency and survivability in both solo and party play scenarios.
Endgame Content
Preparing for endgame content as a Dragoon requires careful attention to gear optimization to maximize damage output and survivability. Key pieces such as the Gletis Cuirass, Homam Hands, and Homam Feet are highly recommended for their exceptional stats and versatility. Augmenting your weapon with STP and Haste is crucial for maintaining a high level of performance. Additionally, ensuring your armor set provides a balance of PDT and MDT will significantly enhance your durability in challenging encounters. For weapons, the Gungnir or Obelisk paired with a Pole Grip is an excellent choice for endgame content. Always prioritize gear that complements your playstyle while maintaining a balance between offense and defense. With the right setup, your Dragoon will excel in high-level missions, dynamis, and other endgame activities, making you a valuable asset to any party or alliance.