I use a set atm that gives me a pretty decent bonus..

It's that bandana thingy that gives 8 rage combined with a regalia for +10% xp.
And the set bonus it another +5% xp.

With 1 point in that talent it's a total +25% xp which is really really nice actually:)
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silver surfer vaporizer
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Cavalier

At the early beginning absolutely, later on less, and at the near end it has like negaive add-on value, as instead of getting more XP you could have higher morale, or if you prefer archers, than +100%DMG from the scope + 1 morale from the beer jug -> togehter you get +30%critical (so if you use other morale bonsues for dwarves - canoneers become lethal even for black dragons :) with +3 in outrage this is the ultimate advantage)

Sadly I don't prefer shooting army...

The Knight set is good once you are a high level. Thats alot more troops. I havent gotten everything for it yet, I still need the sword and that is all. Anyone know where to get the sword?

most items are random in game. only items gained from other heroes and mosnter stacks are pre writtin in game i belive.

i got sword and armour but the others.

elven set
+1 morale to elfs


:
elven crown
elven bow
silver mail
silver horn

Total randomization is pretty damn stupid. I've literally only come across one or two set items AT ALL in 25 levels.

Nice Mage Set
 

I agree random items and troops is kinda annoying and frustrating, so far ive only been lucky enough to find one set and lucky me its perfect for my mage it gives intellect, mana, and +2 mana regen per round and that stacks with concentration so i get +8 mana gained per round.

Bandage of Conentration

Monk Belt

Pilgrim boots

Gives +2 mana regen per round besides the item bonuses to intellect and mana.

prob with giant set bonus
 

I completed the giant set, and loved it. All the items were good anyway, and since I used ogres as the main HTH killer, no big sacrifice.

sandals: +1 move to giants/ogres, and i think a defense bonus
belt: +4 defense
club: +4 attack, +20 percent damage to giants/ogres

One problem, though, lies in the club. It loses 2 percent morale everytime you use it. So after 25 fights, it revolts-- and, you guessed it, you lose 2000 leadership.

Which means that if you're out in a dungeon when that happenes, all of your troops are now out of control. THis REALLY sucks.... i think it was an oversight by the devs. You basically have to go back to a castle and try to put some troops in storage, or dismiss a full 2000 leadership worth of troops from several stacks, before going in to subdue the club again.

I don't use any of those items.. I used the set untill about lvl 25, then is switched to more usefull gear.. But it made me finish the game at lvl 30, since I had the +25% bonus xp allmost entire game (10% from the mind skill as well)
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Ffm Babysitter

rage belt end technical manual gives +15% xp

very good imo