Gearing up?

[BuffaloDown]

Just wondering how much exploring and gearing up did you do before committing to a faction?

[SkilledZero]

Next to none, I didn’t even think about it thoroughly. My first character had a fang sword and shield and I think makeshielf leather clothes, might not have had a hat either lol

[Lapinoire]

For me, I just typically rush dungeons in this order before joining a faction:
Prologue: Kill Hyena, hope for Predator Bones, dismantle first tattered clothes, craft makeshift leather armor with the hides and second tattered clothes from Yzan(when talking to him while naked), pick up everything from the island and sleep 1 hour.

Before starting, I buy an Iron Mace from Loudhammer and craft a Fang Club.

1- Cierzo Storage: Grab everything in there, sell them all. Go back to give Bandage for Blood Price Writ. Kill the Shrimp around, grab Blue Sand(return at night and go to starfish cave for more blue sand).
2- Make all the Hyenas around Cierzo and Hyena burrow chase you(typically 8~15 Hyenas), then throw the Old Lantern picked up in your house+Cierzo Storage to burn all of them to death at little risk. Sell all the hide, and all the predator bones(craft one fang weapon if it wasn't already crafted) Buy a Nomad Trade Pack.
3- Montcalm Fort: Grab Melfino Trade Pack, kill everything in there, return to Cierzo and sell
3a- If luck was on your side and you looted a Tiny Aquamarine and Small Sapphire from Mantis+Blue Mantis Shrimp, as well as chests and junk piles, and the Bandit Captain in Montcalm, go to Bluster Burrow(continued in 4a).
4- Vendavel Fortress: Set up three tripwire traps on Crock and finish him off. Set up 5 tripwire traps on Conqueror and throw a lantern on him, wait behind gate for him to bleed and burn to death. Put three tripwire traps on Witch and throw lantern on her to kill her instantly. Be careful of the adds. Grab Ornate Chest in center by interacting with the northwest hoop switch. Go down the trapdoor into Trog Infiltration. Avoid mobs and head out.
4a- Bluster Burrow: Open the locked doors, grab the three Great Healing Potions and gear in there. Grab Mushroom Shield and Giant Heart Garnet. Return to Cierzo and give the Shield and Garnet for 100 silver.

After clearing all those, typically taking about 2 hours at most depending on how fast or slow you are, you should have around 2,000~3,000 silver to play with.

You can even grab the entire Master Trade set in between points to make travel easier/faster. It all comes down to how well you know the game, really.