So Joe has my exact same...hatred for level 4. Stupid shiny balls, they hurt...BAD! Either MP or HP kill you, which is SOOOOO annoying. Well, I got past it, eventually. Moved on to level 5, then 6, then 7, then 6 again, then 7 again (getting some treasure) and then went back out to save, heal, and synth some Orichalcum (I GOT THE SPELLING!) into the 2nd best weapons (which is only found in the Maze).

So Albel got his "Dark Faerie Claw" first, like on level 2 or something, so I had to upgrade him first. I did this when I was at level 2 by the way, so Albel was whipping the opponents for me, unless he died, then he sucked...

Now he's level 81, with 15677 HP, 1355 MP, 7204 attack, 553 defence.

Next came Cliff's "Raven Gauntlets," which I received on level 3, I didn't have much money so I had to do level 4 without uber gauntlets, but now that I got money from level 4...

He's level 82, with 19948 HP, 1224 MP, 7010 attack, 581 defence.

Finally, the main character, Fayt's weapon "Divine Avenger" was FINALLY received in level 7. Before hand, I started to refine the orichalcum, so it was prepped and ready. With the Divine Avenger, Fayt is...

Level 83, with 16566 HP, 1719 MP, 7095 attack, 624 defence.

I got practically everyone else's weapons too.

Efreet Cafe for Peppitat (who I did not recruit....)
Helm of the Dark Eye for Roger
Pumpkin Wraith Rod for Sophia
Shadow Phase Gun for Maria...

The Raven Gauntlet is also for Mirage.
....HEY! Where's Adray's weapon?!