I've decided to delay Munkharama and go to the Gorn castle instead. Maybe there I'll get some better weapons
The fact that no good gear is being sold in New City really hurts the game if you import a new party. I think it's a difference if you start with chain/plate and a 20 damage weapon than wearing cloth armor and whacking things with quarterstaffs (even if, as I've heard, you start in a harder area).
In Wizardry 8, getting to Arnika is a real milestone because you can upgrade your gear in a way that lasts easily until mid-game. Ok there's the "money cheat" with Alchemy so you can buy plate for everyone right away, but there's no perfect game, it seems.
