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Trying to find a decent rapier, because I'm told that's ideally what you want to aim for for a 1h+shield setup, but having trouble finding anything around the right level--the ones in the bazaar are crap, and the ones in the WTS sub all seem to be either much higher (too high to soulfuse) or free but low quality. Anyone have suggestions on how I should handle gearing around level 150-160?
It is the worst part of the game and every novice came through it.
Sadly, but current balance of the game has that problem and there is very little you can do it (because most shop-keepers are high-level players and they are selling their drops that correlate their levels).
Just use the weapon you can afford and suits you best in your current level. Do not be shy to use any other weapon but rapier until you find one decent rapier - preferably Axe or Shortsword.
In my case right until level ~350 I have used Legendary Shortsword.
Then I accidentally dropped pretty bad Legendary Rapier and stick with it.
Then about level ~380 I have found in bazaar (yes, in bazaar) Legendary Rapier with ADB 42% and level 489 - I bought it, waited until I be level 389 and soulfused it.
In short - use whatever you can afford and find - occasionally check WTS-section for good rapier (and other equipment) and when you will find something good - buy it.
On your level, I think, Exquisite or low-tier Magnificent quality would be enough, Legendary is a bit too earlier.
btw, if you are looking for rapier, then your ultimate choice would be "Ethereal"-prefix (or Demonic/Hallowed are good too, but they are for special cases) and "of slaughter"-suffix, but once again - this is an ultimate choice, and until you will be high-level stick with whatever good you will find.
This post has been edited by f4tal: Sep 17 2017, 12:40