I'm not really sure where to post this. I'm not looking to buy or sell anything so I don't feel it fits in the bazaar, even though it is trade advice.
I am about to have 20 jelly gems, but I need a four star shield to get my four star shield certification and continue doing missions. I'm thinking about just trying to trade the Antigua or sealed sword I get to someone who can give me a four star shield because I don't want to have to farm the elite orbs, buy some elite orbs, and possible buy the recipe instead of just upgrading my great defender. Do you think I should try to make a trade like this happen? If not can anyone tell me what is a good four star shield that I would eventually upgrade to a good five star shield. Also if I should get a sealed sword or an Antigua if you think I should keep what I get from brinks. If you think I should get Antigua, what line, sentenza or argent peacemaker. My current build is a salamander mask, an ash tail coat, a super blaster, a blazebrand, and a great defender. Thanks for the advice.
Sealed Sword/Antigua for a four star shield
First, in general: You should always plan in terms of 5-star items, because that's where everything ends up. Also, you may think that you've spent a lot already (time, money, crowns, etc.), but costs go up exponentially with star level. So don't upgrade any item to 5 stars unless you really want the 5-star version. Don't go throwing good money after bad. In other words, it is never too late to change your alchemy path. Finally, you may benefit from reading my detailed sword guide.
Now, specifically about you:
Your Ash Tail Coat (Skolver/Vog Cub/Snarbolax) and Blazebrand (Combuster) are both great. Your Super Blaster (Valiance) is a good gun even if not the best. So that's all fine.
Your Salamander Mask and Great Defender have terrible upgrades --- among the worst in the game. So you should not upgrade them further. Switch the Salamander line to Wolver, Gunslinger, Chaos, or Perfect Mask of Seerus. Switch your shield to Barbarous Thorn Shield or Grey Owlite Shield. See my sword guide for more ideas and justifications.
If I were you, I would do one of three things with my Jelly Gems:
* Trade them in for Jelly Glue, and sell that to another player. (First study the Auction House, to make sure prices are still good.)
* Trade them for a 3-star helmet, and sell that to a vendor for 3,500 crowns.
* Trade it for Sealed Sword, and work up to Gran Faust, to complement your Combuster.
I would not get Argent or Sentenza. The Antigua guns are easy to use, and they have good range. But they don't do especially much damage, they don't do statuses, they don't reward skillful play, and they become boring quickly. Just stick with your Super Blaster while working on 4-star certification.
Also, in the future please just continue your other thread that's already running on a similar topic:
Thank you for all your advice. Next time I will not make a new thread. Sorry. (I think you mean next time I post, don't make a new thread, but in case that you actually meant that I should stop posting on this thread and go back to the chroma mask line thread, I am sorry and I didn't realize that's what you meant.)
I'm going to try and get the miracle hood, and one of the shields you recommended. I'll go check the price on jelly glue, and if it's not that good I will get a sealed sword. I will eventually upgrade it to Faust. I was originally thinking Avenger, but it also does elemental damage like the blazebrand, so having it would be semi-redundant.
You'll have to unbind it first, as boss rewards are automatically bound to you.