Dex question for dits

Well my low-leveled Bandit is basically STR-less and just a teeny bit below the DEX needed for equips (like, maybe 5 DEX less than an "normal" bandit). I've seen that the only thing STR gives me are some Chief Bandit/Shadower-only ATT shields, which I can simply just use an ATT Maple Shield for the rest of his life, eh. And of course, some STR Daggers, but those aren't really a "must" have. Should I be working on DEX or STR equips?