View source for Choi's Soul Ascetic Guide

[[Category:Soul Ascetic]]
== Introduction ==
The main purpose of this guide is to provide information on the gear progression for Soul Ascetics. This guide should be read in tandem with [[Choi's Guide To Magic]] which provides more general information about magic classes. However, as the gear and concepts are similar across different builds, this guide should also be helpful for other magic builds. Please feel free to reach out to me (IGN: Choi or Tokki) for any questions or feedback!

Also, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has helped me, as I learned and continue to learn SA!

== Notes ==
Soul Ascetic is a super fun class that is great for farming and has a unique mobility ability {{#skill:426}} which magic classes generally don't have. It also has many useful supportive buffs. However, Soul Ascetic is not a class that I recommend for beginners because its main abilities have high fixed cast requirements and the leveling progression is a bit difficult compared to others. Hopefully, though, this guide will help you through those difficulties.

Soul Ascetic has two main builds: Talisman and Exorcism of Malicious Souls build. 
* '''Talisman Build''' mainly focuses on {{#skill:5429}} and {{#skill:5427}} but later on can also use {{#skill:5428}} and {{#skill:5426}} for strong single target damage. However, {{#skill:5429}} and {{#skill:5427}} will still likely be your main skills. Black Tortoise is the more powerful of the skills with a decent AOE, so you will likely use this skill the most as you level. White Tiger on the other hand has a huge AOE and short cooldown which makes it very effective for farming. The Talisman Build is weaker than the EXO build early on but will really hit its stride once you get the time dimensions weapon for it. 
* '''EXO Build''' focuses on {{#skill:5425}} and is an incredibly high damaging ability with a large AOE around the user. It's not as fluid as you have to use {{#skill: 5421}} every cast, but if you enjoy the build, you'll have higher damage output at the same progression level as the Talisman build. 

As I go through the guide, I will note anything that is specific to a particular build. 

One of the benefits of the Soul Ascetic is its access to {{#skill:425}} which allows you to change the element of your skills. This will be very helpful leveling but will also be really useful for farming and MVPing. Due to the Soul Reaper skill {{#skill:2601}}, Shadow Element is the highest cap in terms of damage for Soul Ascetic. However, Neutral Element is generally what I focus on, as it is a great element since it can hit almost anything without any negative elemental modifiers aka you don't have to think too much about elements. 

For other classes and builds, the gear progression and concepts should be fairly similar other than a change in weapon and gear

== Relevant Skills ==
'''Talisman''': 
* {{#skill:5429}}: Your main ability while leveling. It provides good damage and a large 11x11 ground targeted AOE. 
* {{#skill:5427}}: Has a huge 15x15 AOE around the caster but provides significantly less damage than Black Tortoise. However, it is super useful for farming and once you get your Time Dimension Combo, every time you cast White Tiger, you will auto-cast Black Tortoise. 
* {{#skill:5431}}: A powerful ability but its main benefit is that it activates the Blessing of the Four Directions which provides a very significant buff to all of your Talisman Skills. To activate it, you cast Blue Dragon -> White Tiger -> Red Phoenix -> Black Tortoise -> Circle of Direction and Elementals. It's confusing at first, but you'll quickly get the hang of it! 
* {{#skill:5428}} and {{#skill:5426}}: While not powerful on their own, the combo becomes very powerful for single targets with the Time Dimension combo that auto-casts Red Phoenix when Blue Dragon is cast.

'''EXO''':
* {{#skill:5425}}: Your main skill in the EXO build. It is very powerful and has a large 13x13 AOE around the caster. 
* {{#skill:5421}}: Allows the user to collect souls while {{#skill:2609}} is active. Everytime you use EXO, you will have to cast Soul Gathering, so your combo will be Soul Gathering -> EXO -> Soul Gathering -> EXO, and so on.
* {{#skill:5422}}: A really useful supportive skill that provides HP and SP in an AOE. However, it also provides a huge buff to EXO when the user is under the Totem of Tutelary effect. 

'''General''': 
* {{#skill:425}}: A super useful ability that allows you to change the element of your damaging abilities. Use this effectively to take advantage of [[Elements|elemental weaknesses]]. 
* {{#skill:426}}: A movement ability that allows you to leap a decent distance and over terrain. 
* {{#skill:2612}}: Trades some of your HP to gain SP. Super useful in tandem with {{#skill:5418}}
* {{#skill:420}}: A self buff that provides a 20% chance of blocking long ranged abilities.
* {{#skill:462}}: Provides a buff that resurrects you when you die. But surely you won't ever die if you follow my guide right? 
* {{#skill:463}}: Provides a buff that trades some of your SP to gain HP whenever you are hit. 
* {{#skill:5424}}: A damaging ability that also restores some of your SP. 
* {{#skill:2601}}: Curses a target making it take increased damage from Shadow element.

'''Supportive''':
* {{#skill:2599}} Fairy Soul: Provides MATK and VCT% reduction
* {{#skill:5420}}: Provides S.MATK
* {{#skill:5423}}: Provides an increase in damage against water, wind, earth, fire, and neutral element
* {{#skill:5432}}: A party buff that provides a large buff in damage and recovers AP
* {{#skill:5418}}: Provides HP recovery every 3 seconds
* {{#skill:5419}}: Provides P.ATK
* {{#skill:2598}} Falcon Soul: Provides ATK and HIT 
* {{#skill:2596}} Golem Soul: Provides DEF and MDEF
* {{#skill:2597}} Shadow Soul: Provides Critical and ASPD
* {{#skill:2605}}: A party buff that provides HP recovery every 3 seconds
Generally, if I am playing by myself, Fairy Soul, Talisman of Magician, Talisman of Protection, and Talisman of Five Elements are the main buffs that I provide to myself. If I have the available skill points for Soul of Heaven and Earth, then I will cast that on myself as well.

'''Leveling''' is a bit difficult for Soul Reaper before reaching Soul Ascetic due to the Soul requirements on skills. As such, I recommend leveling with either {{#skill:2602}} and {{#skill:2604}} or {{#skill:2600}} and {{#skill:2601}}.
* {{#skill:2602}}: At level 10, Espa has no soul requirements, so is easy to spam. Affected by {{#skill:425}}
* {{#skill:2604}}: Very powerful ability but can only be used after Espa has been cast. Consumes 1 soul energy at level 10. Affected by {{#skill:425}}
* {{#skill:2600}}: Has no soul requirements, so it is easy to spam. It does Shadow damage.
* {{#skill:2601}}: Curses a target making it take increased damage from {{#skill:2600}} and increased damage from Shadow element. Consumes 3 Soul Energy

== Stats and Traits ==
Generally, Stats should be based on what best suits you. As such, I won't provide my exact Stat distribution, as you should update yours accordingly. Instead, I'll provide my priority and the benefits of each Stat:
# '''Int:''' Provides the highest bonus in StatusMATK. It also provides the second-highest reduction in Variable Cast Time. 
# '''Dex:''' Provides the third-highest bonus in StatusMATK. It also provides the highest reduction in Variable Cast Time from stats. Early on, you will want a lot of Dex, as your gear may not provide the VCT reduction you need. Later on, it will be a lower priority. However, I tend to keep a lot of dex in my full build, as I don't always use my full build in lieu of item drop rate gear.
# '''Vit:''' Provides a lot of tankiness through HP, SoftDEF, and SoftMDEF.
# '''Agi:''' Provides some additional tankiness by providing FLEE, and the ATKSPD improves DPS by reducing Cast animation. 
# '''Str:''' Provides additional weight capacity which will help for farming. 
# '''Luk:''' Provides the second-highest bonus in StatusMATK. However, I use more Dex than Luk because of the cast time reduction. 

Traits are additional stats that provide bonuses for fourth classes. Traits are bit more straightforward: 
# '''SPL (110):''' Provides the highest bonus in S.MATK and your abilities will additionally scale off SPL.
# '''CON (100-110):''' Provides the second-highest bonus in S.MATK.
# '''WIS (50-82):''' Provides Magical Resistance which I prioritize over Physical Resistance, as you will have a lot of Flee for physical damage.  
# '''STA (0-32):''' Provides Physical Resistance.

== Gear Progression ==
[[Madame Celery's Guide to MuhRO]] has a very useful section for Gear Progression and Useful Cards, so please check that out! The information I will provide for Gear Progression will be more specific to Magic Damage Classes, particularly EXO and Talisman Soul Ascetics. As you read through, you can look at the [[Choi's_Guide_To_Magic#Magic_Gear_Progression|Magic Gear Progression Table on my Guide to Magic]]. This table will have links that will guide you to the relevant pages. 

It may be tempting starting out to want to rush your end-game gear. However, I do not recommend doing this and instead recommend improving your gear gradually, so you can farm more effectively. 

=== Phase Eden ===
At Level 100, you can talk with Labraham and Louis at @go Eden to get your [[Beginners_Guide#Eden_Gear| Advanced Paradise Gear]]. These gears will require {{#item:7318}}, {{#item:1034}}, and {{#item:7200}}. <br> Additionally, you can talk with Lucy in the same room to receive your [[Beginners_Guide#Shadow_Gear| Advanced Paradise Shadow Gear]] by renting it for 20 Eden Coins for 3 days or buying the set permanently for 230 in total.

=== Phase One ===
Moving forward, your main priority is to see where you can reduce your fixed cast time, and your second priority will be increasing your damage output (for now). <br> Abilities will have a specific Fixed Cast Time and Variable Cast Time. For EXO your fixed cast time is 1.5s and your Variable Cast time is 2.2s. For Talisman your fixed cast time is 1.5s and your Variable Cast time is 1s <br>
Fixed Cast Time can be reduced by equipment (Most often through Shoes, Costume Enchant Stones, Accessories, and Higher Level Headgear).<br>
Variable Cast Time can be reduced by gear (all types of gear) and stats. The formula to calculate your Variable Cast Time Reduction is 1 -((1-((Int + (Dex*2))/530)) * (1 - Bonus VCT from gear)). <br>
For now, just assume that your VCT will come in time and go full int and dex for your stats. 

At Level 150, you can start using {{#item:470021}}, which can be obtained after completing the [[17.1_Illusion| 17.1 Questline]] from the [[Grace_Set| Sentinel NPC]]. The boots are the easiest way to obtain some Fixed Cast Reduction, providing .5s at Refine Level 7. However, due to EXO and Talisman builds high FCT requirements, you will want to go for {{#item:470088}} or {{#item:450268}} as soon as possible. <br>
At Level 170, you will have access to the [[Illusion_of_Labyrinth_Equipment| Illusion of Labyrinth and its related equipment]]. The Illusion Morpheus Set will provide a good boost in damage, and a +9 {{#item:19428}} will give you Skill Cast Interruption Protection. <br>
Lastly, the Advanced Paradise Equipment does not provide a Middle or Lower Headgear, so getting middle and lower headgears will provide an easy upgrade. 

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Phase 1 Gear
|-
! Type !! Item !! Notes
|-
| Upper || +9 to +11 {{#item:19428}}|| You can use {{#item:29001}} {{#item:29001}} depending on how long you plan on staying on Illusion Morpheus Hood. Make it +11 if you decide to enchant it. 
|-
| Middle || {{#item:410091}} or {{#item:410092}} || Depending on if you have a card or not. 
|-
| Lower || {{#item:420003}} ||
|-
| Armor || {{#item:450186}}, +7 to +9 {{#item:450118}} or +7 or +9 {{#item:450119}} || Espa: {{#item:450118}} or Curse Explosion: {{#item:450119}}
|-
| Weapon || +7 to +9 {{#item:2051}} or +7 to +11 {{#item:550030}} ||
|-
| Shield || {{#item:460018}} || 
|-
| Garment || +9 to +11 {{#item:20948}} or +7 or +9 {{#item:480019}} || You can use {{#item:29001}} {{#item:29001}} depending on how long you plan on staying on Illusion Morpheus Shawl. Make it +11 if you decide to enchant it. 
|-
| Shoe || +7 to +9 {{#item:470021}} <br> +7 {{#item:470088}} <br> +7 {{#item:450268}} || Early on you can use Grace Shoes, but you will want to get the Gray Wolf or Glacier Shoes quickly. 
|-
| Accessory (Right) || {{#item:32238}} or {{#item:490020}} || Use the Grace Ring if you're using the Grace Set.
|-
| Accessory (Left) || {{#item:32239}} ||
|}

Zeny Tip: Illusion of Underwater 2 and Illusion of Labyrinth are great places to farm zeny starting out, and you'll be able to get {{#item:100425}} and {{#item:100423}} to upgrade your gear or to make Safe to Refine tickets!

=== Phase Two ===
1.5s Fixed Cast Reduction is what you need. If you haven't already, your focus will be on getting {{#item:470088}} with the {{#item:310602}} or any other 1s FCT reduction shoe.

The [[Brilliant_Light_Accessories| Brilliant]]/[[Sinful_Accessories| Sinful]] Sapphire Accessory Pairs give a good amount of damage and provide .2s and .3s FCT reduction respectively. With the {{#item:25170}} that gives .3s FCT reduction, you'll have a total of 1.5s or 1.6s FCT reduction. I do not recommend getting a {{#item:25067}} if it's too expensive, as you'll already have enough FCT!<br>
Moving forward, we're just working on damage; let's up those numbers!! 

Between the {{#item:450178}} and the {{#item:450207}}, both options are great. {{#item:450178}} provides more damage and {{#item:450207}} provides more tankiness. Generally, {{#item:450207}} will be cheaper, as you can buy the necessary enchantment stones from other players. However, this requires other players to have and be willing to sell those stones, which may not always be the case. {{#item:450178}}, however, requires farming of {{#item:1000405}} which may be grindier but more reliable. My recommendation if you plan on going the snow flower route is to make sure that the stones you need for the {{#item:450207}} are available. 

The Vesper Headgear is time-gated, requiring mysterious ores from a 24hr cooldown instance. You can try to farm these if you would like or buy these from a vendor.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Phase 2 Gear
|-
! Type !! Item !! Notes
|-
| Upper || +9 to +11 {{#item:400154}} or +9 {{#item:400111}}|| [[Equipment_Crafting#Orbs_of_Survival.2C_Survival_Circlet.2C_Heart_Wings_Hairband.2C_Rosary.27s_Necklace.2C_Drooping_Gunslinger| To Craft]] and [[Various_Headgears_Reform#Survival_Circlet| To Reform the Survival Circlet]]. [[Equipment_Crafting#EXP_Advisor,_Vesper_Headgear|To Craft the Vesper Helmet]]
|-
| Middle || {{#item:410017}} or {{#item:410092}} || Unslotted versions are fine if you don't have a card to use. 
|-
| Lower || {{#item:420066}} <br> {{#item:420022}} <br> {{#item:420003}} || OoS: [[Equipment_Crafting#Orbs_of_Survival.2C_Survival_Circlet.2C_Heart_Wings_Hairband.2C_Rosary.27s_Necklace.2C_Drooping_Gunslinger| To Craft]] and [[Various_Headgears_Reform#Orbs_of_Survival| To Reform]]. Use OoS if you're using Survival Circlet. <br> YL: {{#item:311081}} or {{#item:310985}}, {{#item:4814}} or {{#item:310989}}, {{#item:4712}}. Use Young Leaf if you are using Vesper Helm. Any Young Leaf is fine; it's the enchants that matter.<br> Alternatively, you can continue to use CD in mouth combo for a while.
|-
| Armor || +9 to +11 {{#item:450178}} <br> +9 to +11 {{#item:450207}} <br> +9 to +11 {{#item:450265}} || GW: {{#item:310532}}{{#item:310510}}{{#item:310507}}. [[Gray_Wolf_Equipment#Gray_Wolf_Armor_Enchantments| Gray Wolf Gear can be obtained after completing Episode 18 ]] 
SF: {{#item:1000717}} or {{#item:1000718}}, {{#item:1000721}}, {{#item:1000773}}. [[Issgard_Equipment#Enchantment_Snow_Flower| Snow Flower gear can be obtained after completing Episode 19 ]]. Only get Snow Flower if the related Ice Flower Magic Stones are easily obtainable (available in vend). <br> Glacier: {{#item:312066}}, {{#item:312063}} or {{#item:312067}}, {{#item:312059}}. [[20_The_Immortal| Glacier gear can be obtained after completing Episode 20 ]].
|-
| Weapon || +9 {{#item:640033}} || {{#item:311353}}{{#item:311351}}{{#item:311349}}{{#item:311343}} '''Just buy this from a seller!'''
|-
| Shield || N/A || 
|-
| Garment || +9 or +11 {{#item:20948}} || You can use {{#item:29001}} {{#item:29001}} depending on how long you plan on staying on Illusion Morpheus Shawl. Make it +11 if you decide to enchant it. 
|-
| Shoe || +7 {{#item:470088}} <br> +7 {{#item:450268}} || GW: {{#item:310602}}. The other enchants don't matter. <br> Glacier: {{#item:312076}}
|-
| Accessory (Right) || {{#item:490064}} <br> {{#item:490052}} || [[Brilliant_Light_Enchantment| For Brilliant Enchants: Any Happiness, Any Destructive Evil]]. <br> [[Sinful_Enchantment| For Sinful Enchants: Any Horror, Any Dragon Scale]]. I recommend at least level 3 for both. 
|-
| Accessory (Left) || {{#item:490065}} <br> {{#item:490053}} || [[Brilliant_Light_Enchantment| For Brilliant Enchants: Any Happiness, Any Destructive Evil]]. <br> [[Sinful_Enchantment| For Sinful Enchants: Any Horror, Any Dragon Scale]]. I recommend at least level 3 for both.
|}

In terms of Priority: 
# Shoes and Weapon
# Accessories and Minor Cast Stone  
# Armor and Headgears
# Garment and Shoes. 

Zeny Tip: Thanatos 11 and 12 are great places to farm at this point and in general, and you'll be able to farm the materials for your accessories. {{#item:12710}} will help tremendously to prevent the {{#skill:30}} debuff effect.

=== Phase Three ===
You can sit pretty comfortably on the Phase Two gears for a while. The best spots to upgrade are probably the Garment and Shoes if you're still on Grace. Now would be a good time to start farming your [[Shadow_Gear|Shadow gear]] as well!

Dim Glacier Weapons are a great place to start dipping your toes into the [[Grade_Enhancing| painful world of item grading]]! Luckily, the {{#item:101637}} helps ease you in. [[Issgard_Equipment|Dim Glacier and Snow equipment can be obtained after completing Episode 19]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Phase 3 Gear
|-
! Type !! Item !! Notes
|-
| Upper || +9 to +11 {{#item:400154}} <br> +9 {{#item:400111}}|| [[Equipment_Crafting#Orbs_of_Survival.2C_Survival_Circlet.2C_Heart_Wings_Hairband.2C_Rosary.27s_Necklace.2C_Drooping_Gunslinger| To Craft]] and [[Various_Headgears_Reform#Survival_Circlet| To Reform the Survival Circlet]]. <br> [[Equipment_Crafting#EXP_Advisor,_Vesper_Headgear|To Craft the Vesper Helmet]]
|-
| Middle || {{#item:410017}} or {{#item:410080}} ||
|-
| Lower || {{#item:420066}} <br> {{#item:420022}} || OoS: [[Equipment_Crafting#Orbs_of_Survival.2C_Survival_Circlet.2C_Heart_Wings_Hairband.2C_Rosary.27s_Necklace.2C_Drooping_Gunslinger| To Craft]] and [[Various_Headgears_Reform#Orbs_of_Survival| To Reform]]. Use OoS if you're using Survival Circlet. <br> YL: {{#item:311081}} or {{#item:310985}}, {{#item:4814}} or {{#item:310989}}, {{#item:4712}}. Use Young Leaf if you are using Vesper Helm. Any Young Leaf is fine; it's the enchants that matter.
|-
| Armor || +11 {{#item:450178}} <br> +9 to +11 {{#item:450207}} <br> +9 to +11 {{#item:450265}}|| GW: {{#item:310532}}{{#item:310510}}{{#item:310507}} <br> SF: {{#item:1000717}} or {{#item:1000718}}, {{#item:1000721}}, {{#item:1000773}} <br> Glacier: {{#item:312066}}, {{#item:312063}} or {{#item:312067}}, {{#item:312059}}
|-
| Weapon || +12 [A] {{#item:550089}} || EXO: {{#item:311458}}{{#item:311320}}{{#item:311320}} <br> Talisman: {{#item:311458}}{{#item:311319}}{{#item:311319}} or {{#item:311458}}{{#item:311317}}{{#item:311317}}
|-
| Shield || +11 {{#item:460018}} <br> +10 {{#item:460040}} || ISG: {{#item:29001}} {{#item:29001}} <br> Glacier: Your choice on the enchants for the Glacier Guard.
|-
| Garment || +11 {{#item:480125}} <br> +9 or +10 {{#item:450267}} || CMW: Please see below notes for more information on the convertible Wing <br> Glacier: {{#item:312070}} for Slot 2
|-
| Shoe || +7 to +9 [C] {{#item:470204}} || [[Equipment_Crafting#Pirate_Captain's_Coat,_Moan_of_Corruption,_Crown_of_Beelzebub| to craft it]]
|-
| Accessory (Right) || {{#item:490064}} <br> {{#item:490052}} || [[Brilliant_Light_Enchantment| For Brilliant Enchants: Any Happiness, Any Destructive Evil]]. <br> [[Sinful_Enchantment| For Sinful Enchants: Any Horror, Any Dragon Scale]]. I recommend at least level 3 for both. 
|-
| Accessory (Left) || {{#item:490065}} <br> {{#item:490053}} || [[Brilliant_Light_Enchantment| For Brilliant Enchants: Any Happiness, Any Destructive Evil]]. <br> [[Sinful_Enchantment| For Sinful Enchants: Any Horror, Any Dragon Scale]]. I recommend at least level 3 for both.
|}

[[Convertible_Wings| To craft]] the {{#item:480125}}, you'll need a +7 {{#item:20732}}, a +7 {{#item:20733}}, a +7 {{#item:16030}}, 5 {{#item:727}}, and 3 {{#item:27015}}.
* The {{#item:20732}} and {{#item:20733}} can be bought from the Mass Charleston npc with {{#item:6752}} which are farmed in the [[Charleston_Crisis| Charleston Crisis instance]] or exchanged for instance coins. They are also a random drop from the MVP in the Charleston Crisis
* The {{#item:16030}} require 300 {{#item:6751}}, 1 {{#item:1549}}, and 15 {{#item:6750}}, and will be exchanged with the Mass Charleston npc.
* The {{#item:1549}} requires 200 {{#item:999}}, 30 {{#item:7325}}, and a {{#item:1415}}. The {{#item:1549}} can be exchanged with the Gomer npc in Yuno with a mechanic class.
* You need Episode 15 done (you can use a clear ticket)
* You can use Safe to Refine Tickets on {{#item:20732}}, {{#item:20733}}, {{#item:16030}}, and {{#item:480125}}

Zeny Tip: You should be able to farm comfortably at Clock Tower Basement and Niflheim 2 now, and they'll provide a lot of great end-game material as well. As mentioned, now would be a great time to work on your shadow gear, as both those maps provide {{#item:25729}}.

=== Phase Four ===
We're almost at End Game. Time to make some of the tougher gears. You can skip to Phase Five if you think you can comfortably get the Equipment from Constellation Tower (Hard), Alice Twisted Madness (Hard) and Depth 1 and 2. 

For Talisman Builds, the Time Dimension Combo will be the biggest upgrade for the build, and you will be dropping Vesper Helm for the TD Crown. However, Depth 2 is a very difficult map, so you won't be able to farm there until Phase 5. That being said, feel free to Grade and upgrade your Vesper Helm or keep it at +9 or +12 or continue to use the Survival Circlet-LT until you can get to the TD Combo. 
For EXO Builds, you will continue to use the Vesper Helm, so you will want to Grade and Enhance it. 

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Phase 4 Gear
|-
! Type !! Item !! Notes
|-
| Upper || Talisman: +9 to +11 {{#item:400154}} or +9 to +12 {{#item:400111}} <br> EXO: +11 to +12  [A]{{#item:400111}} || Talisman: Grading and Upgrading of Vesper Helm is optional for Talisman builds. 
|-
| Middle || {{#item:410017}} or {{#item:410080}} ||
|-
| Lower || {{#item:420066}} <br> {{#item:420022}} ||OoS: [[Equipment_Crafting#Orbs_of_Survival.2C_Survival_Circlet.2C_Heart_Wings_Hairband.2C_Rosary.27s_Necklace.2C_Drooping_Gunslinger| To Craft]] and [[Various_Headgears_Reform#Orbs_of_Survival| To Reform]]. Use {{#item:420066}} if you are using the Survival Circlet-LT<br> YL: {{#item:311081}} or {{#item:310985}}, {{#item:4814}} or {{#item:310989}}, {{#item:4712}}. Do not change to Young Leaf until you switch to the Vesper Headgear. Any Young Leaf is fine; it's the enchants that matter. 
|-
| Armor || +11 {{#item:450178}} <br> +9 to +11 {{#item:450207}} <br> +9 to +11 {{#item:450265}} || GW: {{#item:310532}}{{#item:310510}}{{#item:310507}} <br> SF: {{#item:1000717}} or {{#item:1000718}}, {{#item:1000721}}, {{#item:1000773}} <br> Glacier: {{#item:312066}}, {{#item:312063}} or {{#item:312067}}, {{#item:312059}}
|-
| Weapon || +12 [A] {{#item:550089}} || EXO: {{#item:311458}}{{#item:311320}}{{#item:311320}} <br> Talisman: {{#item:311458}}{{#item:311319}}{{#item:311319}} or {{#item:311458}}{{#item:311317}}{{#item:311317}}
|-
| Shield || +11 {{#item:460018}} or <br> +10 or +11 [C] {{#item:460040}} || ISG: {{#item:29001}} {{#item:29001}} <br> Glacier: Your choice on the enchants for the Glacier Guard.
|-
| Garment || +11 {{#item:480125}} <br> +9 or +10 {{#item:450267}} || <br> Glacier: {{#item:312070}} for Slot 2
|-
| Shoe || +12 [A] {{#item:470204}} ||
|-
| Accessory (Right) || {{#item:490304}} || {{#item:311958}}{{#item:311998}} Second Slot Enchant is your choice. Best is {{#item:311943}} but its a .05% chance.
|-
| Accessory (Left) || {{#item:490307}} || {{#item:311958}}{{#item:311998}} Second Slot Enchant is your choice. Best is {{#item:311943}} but it's a .05% chance.
|}

=== Phase Five ===
AKA the final phase. Phase Five revolves around the gear you get from Constellation Tower, Alice Twisted Madness, and Biosphere Depths and Depths 2. 
The Enchants on the Stellar Spell Seal provide a large boost in VCT reduction that you'll need after losing the Convertible Magical Wing and Wolf Robe. I don't recommend switching out of the Convertible Magical Wing until you get the Stellar Spell Seal fully enchanted and upgraded. 

The {{#item:450284}} is the better armor, particularly against bosses. However, you will still likely need {{#item:450173}} before being able to farm Biosphere Depths effectively.  

The Items from Alice Twisted Madness can provide S.Matk and Magic Damage with Element or provide a lot of VCT Reduction. You should get enchants according to the amount of VCT reduction you need for your build. 

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Phase 5 Gear
|-
! Type !! Item !! Notes
|-
| Upper || EXO: +11 to +12  [A]{{#item:400111}} <br> Talisman: +12  [A]{{#item:400544}} || <br> TD: {{#item:4714}}, {{#item:312718}} or {{#item:312700}} or {{#item:312709}}, {{#item:312759}}
|-
| Middle || {{#item:410233}} ||
|-
| Lower || {{#item:420213}} ||
|-
| Armor || +12 [A]{{#item:450173}} <br> +11 to +12 [A]{{#item:450284}} || Nebula: {{#item:310688}},{{#item:310738}} or {{#item:310744}}, {{#item:4714}} <br> Depth: {{#item:312374}}, {{#item:312364}}, {{#item:312359}}
|-
| Weapon || EXO: +12 [A] {{#item:550089}} <br> EXO: +11 [A] {{#item: 550092}} <br> Talisman: +12 [A] {{#item:550131}} or +12 [A] {{#item:550132}} || Dim: {{#item:311458}}{{#item:311320}}{{#item:311320}} <br> Flush: {{#item:311393}}{{#item:311404}} <br> Time Dim: For the Dimensions Weapon, use the enchant you prefer. 
|-
| Shield || +9 to +12 [A] {{#item:460020}} <br> +10 to +12  [C] {{#item:460040}} || MB: {{#item:310860}} or {{#item:310872}}. <br> Glacier: Your choice on the enchants for the Glacier Guard.
|-
| Garment || +11 [A] {{#item:480233}} <br> +11 [A] {{#item:480284}} || DRM: {{#item:310925}}{{#item:4714}} Second Slot Enchant is your choice. <br> Dim: {{#item:312157}}, {{#item:312156}}, {{#item:312136}}
|-
| Shoe || +12 [A] {{#item:470204}} ||
|-
| Accessory (Right) || {{#item:490136}} <br> {{#item:490304}} || SSS: {{#item:310711}}{{#item:310711}} <br> TRR: {{#item:311958}}{{#item:311998}} If you don't need the VCT Reduction from Stellar Spell Seal you can use a Temple Rune Ring instead. 
|-
| Accessory (Left) || {{#item:490307}} || TMR: {{#item:311958}}{{#item:311998}} Second Slot Enchant is your choice. Best is {{#item:311943}}
|}

For pure damage, {{#item:490304}} is better than {{#item:490136}} due to the power of the Second Slot Enchant. However, the Second Slot Enchant is limited to two races (unless you get the normal/boss enchant). Additionally, the Stellar Seal gives 30% variable cast reduction from a single accessory which is very powerful. 

{{#item:490052}} and {{#item:490053}} will still be useful to have due to its race modifiers against dragon which will be very strong against Betelgeuse and Jabberwocky.

== Misc ==
=== Shadow Gear ===
For more information on Magic Shadow Gear, please check out the [[Choi's_Guide_To_Magic#Shadow_Gear|Shadow Gear section on the Guide to Magic]].

Some great options for mixed Blue Shadow Gear are: 
* Armor: {{#item:24883}}
* Weapon: {{#item:24753}}
* Shield: {{#item:24754}}
* Shoes: {{#item:24884}}
* Earring: {{#item:24665}}
* Pendant: {{#item:24668}}

=== Costume Stones and Pets ===
[[Costume_Enchants_(Fashion_Points)#Enchant_Stones| Costume Stones]]: <br>
* Soul Ascetic Combo: {{#item: 1001789}}, {{#item: 1001050}}, {{#item: 1001051}}, {{#item: 1001052}}/{{#item: 25845}} The Soul Ascetic Combo is better for Talisman builds.<br>
* Arch Bishop Combo: {{#item:1000857}}, {{#item:1000859}}, and {{#item:25709}}/{{#item:1000019}} The Arch Bishop Combo is better for EXO builds<br><br>

[[Pet_System|Cute Pets]]: {{#item:9134}}, {{#item:9122}}, {{#item:9139}}, and Icewind Egg (9147) are good choices.

=== Cards ===
You can find a list of cards to use in my [[Choi's_Guide_To_Magic#Cards|Guide to Magic]]. Depending on which element you are planning on using with {{#skill:425}}, the cards that you use may be different. However, the focus of the cards below are for a neutral element focus. 

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Cards
|-
! Type !! Item !! Notes
|-
| Upper || {{#item:27310}} or {{#item:4366}} || Depends on how much VCT you need
|-
| Middle || {{#item:300251}} or {{#item:4169}} || Depends on how much VCT you need
|-
| Armor || {{#item:300376}} or {{#item:300308}} ||
|-
| Weapon || {{#item:27384}}, {{#item:300455}}, or {{#item:4394}} || {{#item:300455}} Pairs with {{#item:300458}}
|-
| Shield || {{#item:27385}} or {{#item:300379}} || {{#item:300379}} should be used on a +12 shield
|-
| Garment || {{#item:300375}}, {{#item:300424}}, or {{#item:300273}} || {{#item:300273}} pairs with {{#item:4394}}
|-
| Shoe || {{#item:4658}}, {{#item:300458}}, or {{#item:300221}} || {{#item:300455}} Pairs with {{#item:300458}}
|-
| Accessory (Right) || {{#item:300470}} or {{#item:4040}}|| {{#item:4040}} allows the use of teleport!
|-
| Accessory (Left) || {{#item:300218}} || 
|}