Gear level basically replaces traditional xp and it's pretty straightforward once you get the idea. Your total power comes from everything equipped, armor pieces jewelry and weapons all adding up. For reference when you've got dawnthorn armor pieces at 7 each plus a corrupted artifact weapon at 21 and dark silver spear at 21, you're looking at a solid 70 gear level

The system tracks everything important, with higher-tier bosses staying blurred until you're properly geared to face them. Your gear level directly impacts combat, affecting damage dealt and taken, so staying upgraded is crucial. You'll notice certain areas are locked behind gear requirements, making progression feel natural

Getting better gear happens through multiple paths really. Work with crafting stations, take down v blood carriers for new recipes, research at desks, or trade with merchants using silver and goldsun coins. The mid-game sets are particularly interesting, offering nice bonuses like physical power or movement speed boosts. The whole loop works smoothly - better gear lets you tackle tougher bosses, which then unlock even better equipment recipes, and so on

Tip: focus on completing armor sets first since the bonuses stack nicely. Makes a real difference when you're pushing into new areas or taking on those challenging v blood carriers