Talk:Stat Growths/@comment-162.201.198.241-20150514022556/@comment-23878607-20150520004712

There really isn't any reason to level in any particular way other than "I want to" in this game. ;)

If one levels exclusively on the high strength side, generally what suffers is MATT and MDEF growth; for Warrior-built characters, stamina also has terrible stat growth. It's been my observation that when a pawn or Arisen has really high HP at the expense of MDEF, that high HP is going to add some extra protection against powerful spells that get through low MDEF. It is not perfect,though.

One of my prized possessions is a pair of master rings that do between 480-500 Stamina and high magick attack, and another pair of master rings that do high stamina and high strength. These are not as rare as the +STR/+MAG master rings, though it is a huge PITA to go through all the L3 Gear farming and purifications to find them.

The point being, any of the six stats, including DEF/MDEF, can be altered upwards via a ring. It is also possible--and significantly easier since all it takes is money-- to boost any of the six base stats through the application of appropriate tools/curatives, if one is inclined.