Pally Armor

[Abner]

Is the next step up from banded bronze? What's after that? Steel of some sort?

[Daldaen]

Banded -> Bronze -> Fine Plate -> Armor of Ro -> Deepwater or Valorium

In my opinion Fine Plate isn't really worth it. You can get more for your money by questing Armor of Ro or buying Deepwater.

Fine Plate just has novelty in that you can dye it any color.

[williestargell]

I would personally never spend plat or time to buy anything less than Ro armor. The time spent in EC is actually the bigger drain than the money. Just get yourself to one of the places that alot of bronze drops and loot it. You can see where it drops at the locations for each size here: http://wiki.project1999.com/Bronze_Armor_Set

(One thing that Daldaen has to factor into our continuing paladin discussion about encumbrance is that HIE can wear small banded/bronze at 2-3 less pounds per piece than regular bronze that HEF has to wear and other small race armors that HEF can't wear like Dwarven Ringmail Tunic. Hehe.)

Hit some other spots that are both good exp and drop various armor pieces. Low level, crushbone Dwarven Ringmail Tunic, unrest bloodstained mantle and tunic, dwarven work boots. Get exp and armor at the same time, don't stand in EC and spend your cash until you are buying something that has a longer useful lifespan.