When should i upgrade my armor?

Hello im a level 19 W/E and i still have the armor that i bought in ascalon city. You know the kind that only has 50 armor + 10 or 20 and one of them reduces it. And so i know the armor sucks but im sick of getting killed easily with my low armor. Im trying to hold out for another city but the farthest ive been is ventaris refuge. Please help

Around Ventari's Refuge are collectors with AL 71 +20 vs. physical pieces. A +21 to your AL translates to about -42% damage, which will serve you well.

Alternatively, new Gladiator's armor is available in Maguuma Stade or the Henge of Denravi, I forget which, which is 65 AL +20 vs. physical and +7 energy for a full suit (you could have bought a 50 +20 suit of this in yak's bend).

Since I'm just to the Riverside mission, I'm not sure whether it's smarter to wait. a +15 or +21 to your AL will be very significant, though.

Being blunt here, so excuse me.

As everyone's life could very well translate into success or frustrating defeats for not just themselves but your entire group, one owes it to oneself and whoever might partner one in quests to get better armor. I commend you that you are considering it, i'll ask others to consider it much earlier in their advancement.

I personally am not someone who carries 100 plat on him to swap suits of armor whenever he feelslike it, so i understand you being frugal. However, the trick is to stay competetive. Plan on two suits till level 20. Grab your next one at the Henge of Denravi or the Amnoon Oasis if you can make it. The Henge is a level 17 area if i remember correctly and the Oasis is a level 19. The armor found in these two places will serve you decently well in your ascention quests in the crystal desert as well.

If you find that the costs are beyond you and all you can afford is a couple of parts, buy the chestpiece first and then the leggings and you'll be in ok shape till you can afford more pieces.

Hope this helps.