THA:CSMNG-Equipment1

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  From here on, I will be showing you what you should strive for. As mentioned above, this is likely not the absolute best gear available... but it is the most preiswert. Furthermore, I will be assuming 1200+ Job Points, as, much like BLU, all SMNs should strive for 1200 to be truly worthwhile to their groups. Everything before 1200 should be you working towards being 1200+.
As I have said, this guide isn't for the iLv."121" NirvanaNirvana (Level 119 III) description.png holder with 7 Aeonics and over 800M gil... It's for the average person. So don't expect anything like multiple Ultimate Weapons or anything like that. Reasonable recommendations.

"Alexander" Set

Espiritus icon.pngEspiritus description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Vox Grip icon.pngVox Grip description.png 32x32.png 32x32.png
Beckoner's Horn +1 icon.pngBeckoner's Horn +1 description.png Incanter's Torque icon.pngIncanter's Torque description.png Smn. Earring icon.pngSmn. Earring description.png Andoaa Earring icon.pngAndoaa Earring description.png
Apogee Dalmatica icon.pngApogee Dalmatica description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Lamassu Mitts +1 icon.pngLamassu Mitts +1 description.png Evoker's Ring icon.pngEvoker's Ring description.png Stikini Ring icon.pngStikini Ring description.png
Conveyance Cape icon.pngConveyance Cape description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Kobo Obi icon.pngKobo Obi description.png Beck. Spats +1 icon.pngBeck. Spats +1 description.png Apogee Pumps icon.pngApogee Pumps description.png
Augment-Icon.png

Skill: +156~157 (612~613Total)

Glyphic Bracers +1Glyphic Bracers +1 description.png are another option than what's listed above. You'll already need a pair for Magic Bursting with Garuda, as well as easily maximizing Favor for maximum BPdelay... so using them here and foregoing the Lamassu Mitts +1Lamassu Mitts +1 description.png is a space saving option.
And while Convoker's Horn +2Convoker's Horn +2 description.png/+3Convoker's Horn +3 description.png may have higher skill than Beckoner's Horn +1Beckoner's Horn +1 description.png... Given that you're already using Beckoner's in multiple places... For a paltry 6 skill, it's not really worth the inventory space, IMO.
Beckoner's Doublet +1Beck. Doublet +1 description.png offers you 1 less skill than a Path D Apogee DalmaticaApogee Dalmatica description.png... but seeing as how you'll already want that Dalmatica for your idle set, and the Doublet is only good for for Physical and Hybrid Blood Pacts until you get your hands on a Convoker's Doublet +2Con. Doublet +2 description.png... It would make a viable alternative. Though if you find yourself unable to get Vagary wins... that might be less feasible for you.
There is also Lucidity SashLucidity Sash description.png should you be unable to have a group that is able to beat Seiryu in Escha Ru'Aun. Lucidity Sash's NM is fairly easy to solo on SMN to boot.
And, obviously, Stikini Ring +1Stikini Ring +1 description.png and Apogee Pumps +1Apogee Pumps +1 description.png are strictly better versions of their NQ... if you have the hundreds of millions. (And there's also Globidonta RingGlobidonta Ring description.png if you have the people for Incursion.)
In addition of the general Odin-Alexander-Atomos trio, you will also want to use this set for Fenrir's Impact; hence why "overcapping" the skill here is a benefit, as it will boost Impact's potency.
And if you wanted to be exceptionally lazy, or if you really need that one more equipset because you have so many other jobs that need them, you can get by on using this for your buffing Wards. There really isn't much of a difference between this set and that one.

A Note on Moonshade Earring

MoonshadeTPBonus.png   MoonshadeRefresh.png

There are only two real options for Moonshade augment options. And while many may argue with me, both are equally valid. It really comes down to what jobs you play. If you are like me and find yourself on hard mage jobs more often than not; the MP&Refresh is a perfectly valid choice. These jobs tend to not benefit from having a TP Bonus (which I freely admit you will more likely find yourself choosing as it is more universally useful) and the added Refresh rate is the larger boon to those jobs. So don't let someone berate you for picking the only refresh earring in the game. Hard mages tend to not be in melee range, let alone using a WS or even being engaged on the NM... And the type of person who is likely to berate your choice is probably heavily invested in their physical DD jobs. Which is fine too. Just that their experience isn't one that validates an exclusive or near exclusive user of hard mage jobs to make their Moonshade into an earring that they are likely to never use outside of solo ventures that don't really matter. So make and wear your Refresh Earring with pride!
Should there ever come a point where there is another Refresh or TP Bonus Earring, it is likely that one or the other paths for Moonshade will come to disuse.
And if you ever find yourself regretting or expanding your jobs selection to include more DDs, fret not. You can always go back and repeat the last fight of Wings of the Goddess, to get a new Moonshade after you toss your current one!