Another Returning Player Asking for Advice

Anthracite, I can probably help run you through one of the older raids in hopes that the cultural raid slot 12 aug drops. The slot 11 (sublime for your level) won't have the focii just the +320 hp/mana and stats but I can make these for you if you need them still. The slot 12 sunshard (from Solteris raid events) or serpent's (from TSS-Ashengate/Frostcrypt raid events) is what is needed to gain the focii itself.

It sounds like you are looking to add augmentations to your cultural armor, and you will not be able to buy "Last Blood" since those are no trade, and drop off on raid mobs. Even if you get your hands on those, you still need to put more plat into making it an augment you can use.

I would have to agree with others that it would be better off using your Defiant until level 80, and get upgrades from there.

Check out this for "Last Blood"
http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/item.html?item=45215
and this is one of the augmentation it can be made into
http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/item.html?item=44481

Follow the links on the augmentation, and you can see it demand a bit of time and money.

I think you meant it doesn't change appearance from 2.0 to 2.5. As 2.0 & 2.5 have particles that the 1.5 does not.

I play with a lot of spell effects off. I don't think my weapon should have sparkles lol. I remember the 2.0 ranger swirl around the blade now. I prefer the look of the blade without it.