ML's are a yes but they aren't the 100% needed thing people make them out to be. But get your ML's done it shouldn't be very hard to do.
As for suits, people still use artifacts though usually only 1-3 and generally only a few of them are useful, just type in: <Class name> template into google you'll see various templates and you can get a feel for what artifacts people use. Player crafted armour is still a must in all templates. I can't think of a template I've seen that doesn't have at least one piece.
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Amurdora
Voltagex
Amur (insert something stupid here)