Just hit 40 and transferred to Soulbreaker (male)... So many skills, so little SP. Which should get priority? Any I should avoid altogether? Thanks! Also, what armor/weapon for C grade? I'm guessing weapon is focus SLS? Would it be ok to stick to common stuff for C and save for B grade? This is my first character to hit 40. Only been playing a couple weeks.
Edit: Also for the pieces of a set that aren't needed to achieve a set bonus (i.e. Plated Leather Helmet & Gloves), should I just use pieces with the highest pdef? I was leaning towards common for those pieces for C grade. Oh and can I use common jewelry for C grade?
Yes, use common on as much as you can, you will only have that option in c grade, since those sets complete with only 3 or 4 items, B grade and up will have sets taking up all slots.
Unless you plan on maxing enchants on jewelry, always get the common items. They only weigh 1/3 of real stuff and that makes you be able to carry more shots :D
Incidentally Spread Wing is supposed to be becoming Circular AoE. This would be a nice overhit skill if you AoE to xp (pole in catas etc.) or even just pull too many mobs. I generally get everything except the really useless stuff (traps on a soul hound, Scorn on a zerker etc.).
Smittie is right however. Prioritize masteries first. I usually go armour, weapon, then depending where I'm currently xping, magic resistance or some key skills. Despite Spread Wing being purportedly useless, I trained it fully by S grade (because of the supposed change and potential future fxes in general).
Working out a system to get the less amazing skills when they are close to you is cool as if changes are made, you don't need to agonise over it later at high end when your saving like hundreds of millions of SP for uber stuff. Purely psychological but yeah ^_^.
Get the upgrades of the skill you use the most to do damage. More damage = faster leveling. In my case I get Soul of Pain first (and Shining Edge) and Rapier masteries. Armor/mdef masteries don't do much so that's secondary to getting new skills and skill upgrades. And yea just forget about getting Spread Wing at all for now.