FFXI Paladin Armour hints

Right now, this is just a place I store lists of "max/best armor for paladin" within particular level ranges. It's a work in progress, as I level it.

It probably doesnt cover EVERY equipment upgrade yet. Just the biggies that I notice in my research so far.

Level 10-14
Solid [xyz] (mail, greaves, etc)
possibly also "coarse gauntlets", "coarse leggings", if you dont mind the -Evasion.
Aspis +1, or NM shield drop from "Goliath Beetle" if you can get it.
Level 14
Stamina Rings
Level 15
Warrior's Belt +1
Kingdom Bandana or San d'Orian Bandana
Level 17-?
Fine [xx] (Leggings, etc)
Level 18
Power Sandals
maybe Brave Belt, if you can stand the -DEX and -AGI
Level 20
Garrison Gloves
Royal Footman's Trousers
Level 24
Nomad's Mantle +1 (AGI +2)
Level 25
Kingdom Trousers
Level 29
Kampfhentzes
Kampfdiechlings
Level 30
Centurin's Scale Mail
Level 36
Drone Earrings (Possibly Alacrity rings also)

Highest defence rating gear for Paladin, by level

Currently only to lvl50. Mostly purely by DEF rating, although a few things make it in here based on their additional bonuses to VIT, etc.

Note: This list is not for the poor of gil. Although sometimes, a slightly cheaper alternative is given.

Level	Slot	Name	Def
15	Head	Kingdom Bandana	DEF 7, AGI +1
17	Hands	Fine Gloves	DEF 6
17	Feet	Fine Boots	DEF 6
17	Body	Fine Vest	DEF 16
17	Legs	Fine pants	DEF 11
19	Legs	Great Cuisses	DEF 12
20	Head	Trump Crown	DEF 10
20	Legs	Royal Footman's Trousers	DEF 12, VIT+1
21	Head	Beetle Mask	DEF 9 (if no trump)
21	Body	Beetle Harness	DEF 18 (+1 version has -fire)
23	Head	Great Headgear	DEF 10
23	Hands	Great Gloves	DEF 7
24	Head	Iron Mask +1	DEF 12
24	Hands	Chain Mittens +1	DEF 8
24	Body	Chainmail +1	DEF 24
24	Legs	Chain hose +1	DEF 17
29	Head	Kampfshaller +1	DEF 14, AGI +2
29	Hands	Kampfhetzes	DEF 10, VIT +2
29	Body	Kampfbrust	DEF 25, AGI +3
29	Legs	Kampfdiechlings	DEF 18, VIT +2, AGI +2
29	Feet	KampfShuhs	DEF 9, VIT +3
36	Head	Silver Mask +1	DEF 15
36	Body	Silver Mail +1	DEF 29
36	Body	Iron Scale Mail +1	DEF 29
40	Legs	Royal Squire's Breeches	DEF 22, DEX +1 AGI +2
40	Legs	Royal Squire's Breeches+1	DEF 22, DEX +1 AGI +2 ???
40	Body	Breastplate +1	DEF 33
40	Head	Iron Musketeer's Armet	DEF 17, VIT +2
40	Hands	Iron Musketeer's Gauntlets	DEF 12
40	Feet	Iron Musketeer's Sabatons	DEF 10
40	Feet	Plate Leggings +1	DEF 10
43	Hands	Iron Musketeer's Gauntlets +1	DEF 13
43	Hands	Iron Musketeer's Gauntlets +2	DEF 14
43	Body	Royal Squire's Chainmail +1	DEF 33 (if no breastplate+1)
43	Feet	Iron Musketeer's Sabatons +1	DEF 11
43	Feet	Iron Musketeer's Sabatons +2	DEF 12
45	Body	Brigandine +1	DEF 33 VIT +3 (3 million gil!)
46	Head	Banded Helm +1	DEF 19
46	Body	Banded Mail +1	DEF 37
46	Legs	Breeches +1	DEF 26
47	Feet	Steel Greaves +1	DEF 11 (in case you cant afford IM +1)
48	Body	Steel Scale Mail +1	DEF 37 (if no prior def 37)
49	Head	Mythril Sallet	DEF 20 (+1 version has earth -1)
49	Body	Mythril Breastplate +1	DEF 40
49	Feet	Mythril Leggings	DEF 11 (in case you cant afford IM +1)
49	Legs	Mythril Cuisses	DEF 29
50	Body	Iron Musketeer's Cuirass	DEF 40, VIT +1
50	Body	Parade Cuirass	DEF 38, Enmity +2 (only if hate problems)
50	Legs	Iron Musketeer's Cuisses	DEF 29, AGI +2
50	Hands	Royal Knight's Mufflers	DEF 13, ACC +3
50	Feet	Royal Knight's Sollerts	DEF 11, AGI +2
52	Body	Iron Musketeer's Cuirass +1	DEF 41, VIT +1
52	Body	Iron Musketeer's Cuirass +2	DEF 42, VIT +1
52	Feet	[PLD AF]	???
54	Hands	[PLD AF]	??
55	Body	Royal Knight's Chainmail	DEF 43, STR +2, DEX +2, ATT +3
55	Legs	Royal Knight's Breeches	DEF 30
56	Head	[PLD AF]	(DEF 24, ...)
58	Legs	[PLD AF]	DEF 34
60	Body	[PLD AF]	(DEF 47, ...)

Def, by Slot

Same as previous table, but just sorted by slot first.

Level	Slot	Name	Def
15	Head	Kingdom Bandana	DEF 7, AGI +1
20	Head	Trump Crown	DEF 10
21	Head	Beetle Mask	DEF 9 (if no trump)
23	Head	Great Headgear	DEF 10
24	Head	Iron Mask +1	DEF 12
29	Head	Kampfshaller +1	DEF 14, AGI +2
36	Head	Silver Mask +1	DEF 15
40	Head	Iron Musketeer's Armet	DEF 17, VIT +2
46	Head	Banded Helm +1	DEF 19
49	Head	Mythril Sallet	DEF 20 (+1 has earth -1)
56	Head	[PLD AF]	(DEF 24, ...)

17	Body	Fine Vest	DEF 16
21	Body	Beetle Harness	DEF 18 (+1 version has -fire)
24	Body	Chainmail +1	DEF 24
29	Body	Kampfbrust	DEF 25, AGI +3
36	Body	Silver Mail +1	DEF 29
36	Body	Iron Scale Mail +1	DEF 29
40	Body	Breastplate +1	DEF 33
43	Body	Royal Squire's Chainmail +1	DEF 33 (if no breastplate+1)
45	Body	Brigandine +1	DEF 33 VIT +3 (3 million gil!)
46	Body	Banded Mail +1	DEF 37
48	Body	Steel Scale Mail +1	DEF 37 (if no prior def 37)
49	Body	Mythril Breastplate +1	DEF 40
50	Body	Iron Musketeer's Cuirass	DEF 40, VIT +1
50	Body	Parade Cuirass	DEF 38, Enmity +2 (only if hate problems)
52	Body	Iron Musketeer's Cuirass +1	DEF 41, VIT +1
52	Body	Iron Musketeer's Cuirass +2	DEF 42, VIT +1
55	Body	Royal Knight's Chainmail	DEF 43, STR +2, DEX +2, ATT +3
60	Body	[PLD AF]	(DEF 47, ...)

17	Hands	Fine Gloves	DEF 6
23	Hands	Great Gloves	DEF 7
24	Hands	Chain Mittens +1	DEF 8
29	Hands	Kampfhetzes	DEF 10, VIT +2
40	Hands	Iron Musketeer's Gauntlets	DEF 12
43	Hands	Iron Musketeer's Gauntlets +1	DEF 13
43	Hands	Iron Musketeer's Gauntlets +2	DEF 14
50	Hands	Royal Knight's Mufflers	DEF 13, ACC +3
54	Hands	[PLD AF]	??

17	Legs	Fine pants	DEF 11
19	Legs	Great Cuisses	DEF 12
20	Legs	Royal Footman's Trousers	DEF 12, VIT+1
24	Legs	Chain hose +1	DEF 17
29	Legs	Kampfdiechlings	DEF 18, VIT +2, AGI +2
40	Legs	Royal Squire's Breeches	DEF 22, DEX +1 AGI +2
40	Legs	Royal Squire's Breeches+1	DEF 22, DEX +1 AGI +2 ???
46	Legs	Breeches +1	DEF 26
49	Legs	Mythril Cuisses	DEF 29
50	Legs	Iron Musketeer's Cuisses	DEF 29, AGI +2
55	Legs	Royal Knight's Breeches	DEF 30
58	Legs	[PLD AF]	DEF 34

17	Feet	Fine Boots	DEF 6
29	Feet	KampfShuhs	DEF 9, VIT +3
40	Feet	Iron Musketeer's Sabatons	DEF 10
40	Feet	Plate Leggings +1	DEF 10
43	Feet	Iron Musketeer's Sabatons +1	DEF 11
43	Feet	Iron Musketeer's Sabatons +2	DEF 12
47	Feet	Steel Greaves +1	DEF 11 (in case you cant afford IM +1)
49	Feet	Mythril Leggings	DEF 11 (in case you cant afford IM +1)
50	Feet	Royal Knight's Sollerts	DEF 11, AGI +2
52	Feet	[PLD AF]	???

Vitality gear for Paladin (Currently only to lvl45)

Level	Name	Statistics
1	Fortune Egg(ammo)	[VIT 1 is main thing]
1	Happy Egg(ammo)	[VIT 1 is main thing]
1	Musk Sachet(ammo)[GALKA?]	[VIT 2 is main thing]
1	Cassie Earring	Def 2, STR 1, VIT 1, MP to HP:50
1	Bastokan Ring	HP 3, Dex 1, VIT 1 (Rare/EX, conquest pts)
1	Marine Shield	Def 1, VIT 1, AGI 1
7	Shell Shield	Def 2, VIT 1, AGI -2
14	Amber Ring	VIT 1
14	Stamina Ring	VIT 2
14	Stamina Ring +1	Def 1, VIT 2
15	Warrior's Belt	Def 1, HP 3, VIT 2
15	Warrior's Belt +1	Def 2, HP 4, VIT 3
16	Rutter Sabatons	Def 16, STR 3, VIT 2, Attack 5.. [Slow +2%] [Rare/Ex, NM fight]
18	Power Sandals	Def 3, VIT 3 (Rare/Ex,Quested: selbina->Davoi)
18	Runner's Belt	Def 2, STR 1, DEX -1, VIT 1, AGI -1 [+enchant something]
18		[whole buncha other fairly useless versions of Barbarian's belt +enchantments. ignore them]
18	Barbarian's Belt	Def 2, STR 1, DEX -1, VIT 1, AGI -1
18	Brave Belt	Def 3, STR 2, DEX -1, VIT 2, AGI -1
20	Garrison Gloves	Def 4, VIT 1, INT 1
20	Legionnaire's Subligar	Def 11, VIT 1
20	Royal Footman's Trousers	Def 12, VIT 1
24	Turtle Shield	Def 6, VIT 3, AGI -6
24	Turtle Shield +1	Def 6, VIT 4, AGI -7
25	Bastokan Subligar	Def 12, VIT 1, Attack 3, Rng 3
25	Republic Subligar	Def 13, VIT 1, Attack 5, Rng 5
25	San d'orian Trousers	Def 13, VIT 1, Evasion 2
25	Kingdom Trousers	Def 14, VIT 1, Evasion 3
27	Savage Gauntlets(MITHRA)	Def 6, MP 16, VIT 4, MND 2
29	Eisenschuhs	Def 8, VIT 2
29	Kampfschuhs	Def 9, VIT 3
29	Eisenhentzes(hands)	Def 9, VIT 1
29	Kampfhentzes(hands)	Def 10, VIT 2
29	Eisendiechlings(legs)	Def 17, VIT 1, AGI 1
29	Kampfdiechlings(legs)	Def 18, VIT 2, AGI 2
30	Sattva Ring	HP 15, VIT 2, AGI 2, Enmity 3 (Rare/Ex, Promathia finish reward)
30	Centurion's Scale Mail	Def 23, VIT 1
30	Mercenary's Earring	Latent: VIT 2 (With Warrior subjob)
31	Savage Loincloth(MITHRA)	Def 12, MP 32, VIT 1, MND 1
31	Wonder Braccae(TARU)	Def 12, HP 21, STR 1, VIT 2, MND 2
33	Custom Tunic(HUME)	Def 18, HP32, VIT 3, CHR 1, INT -1,
33	Wonder Kaftan(TARU)	Def 18, HP36, STR 1,VIT 2, MND 1
34	Bastokan Scale Mail	Def 24, VIT 1
34	Republic Scale Mail	Def 25, VIT 1
35	Medieval Collar	Def 3, VIT 2
36	Sphene Ring	VIT 2
36	Verve Ring	VIT 3
36	Verve Ring +1	Def 2, VIT 3
37	Cavalier's Mantle	Def 8, VIT 2, Evasion -10
37	Cavalier's Mantle +1	Def 9, VIT 3, Evasion -10
39	Guarding Gorget	Def 4, VIT 1, AGI -1, Evasion -5
38	Jennet Shield	Def 10, VIT 1
40	Earth Mantle	Def 6, VIT 1, [..elementals..]
40	Iron Musketeer's Arnet(head)	Def 17, VIT 2
45	Brigandine(body)	Def 32, VIT 2 (+1 is VIT 3, but 3MIL)
49	Heims earring(ear!)	VIT 1, STR 1, INT 1, CHR 1
50	Iron Musketeer's Cuirass	DEF 40, VIT +1
51	Gaia Mantle +1	Def 8, VIT 2 (if you want to lose 1 VIT, for dropping EVA-10 from Cavalier's mantle +1, or you had regular mantle)
52	Iron Musketeer's Cuirass +1	DEF 41, VIT 1
52	Iron Musketeer's Cuirass +2	DEF 42, VIT 1
52	Republican Army Mantle	DEF 6, DEX 2, VIT 2
54	Chrysoberyl ring	VIT 3
54	Vigor ring	VIT 4
58	Beak Jerkin +1	DEF 42, VIT 2
58	Beak Mantle +1	DEF 9, VIT 2
60	Knightly Mantle	DEF 12, VIT 4

Outside links

Good paladin guide on allakhazam

Wistful history of a paladin 75

HNM tanking