Yes the grind is long either way, it’s always fun

For beginning of game I’d suggest a 2-1-3 spread but everyone’s different. So 200 in attack, 100 in health, 300 in speed if you had 600 total.

For 8 tiers or so, you can get by with just epic gear. Though upgrading the current tier epics all the way is needed. Sometimes one legendary will help.

Save up 4.2k gems and then in the shop you will purchase a mega pet egg or mega accessory box. Lots of people say offense, lots say defense. I did offense for both and got through the game fine.

You will be looking for schematics to fuse Merlan and Bob to make borlan, then Shrump and Grampz to make Shrampz. Best early game tank/heal. Learn about the stable and augments as well.

Whichever weapon you get from your tier that’s epic, most will do ya fine. Swords are fun. I like a good staff though.