Asking for a friend. 
Forum > FAQ's, Player Guides and Newbie Help > Anyone have a decent AEQ guide they can link?
TJ Spikes
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Theo wrote an encyclopedia a while back. Not sure if that qualifies to your exacting standards.
Originally posted by Theo Wizzago
I wrote this up in the forums to help answer an AEQ question so there's gonna be some direct replies to persons within the wall of text, but the overall subject matter is spot on as to my approach in shopping for AEQ. When BUILDING your AEQ, it's simple mathematics and is also included in the reply below. Enjoy and hope this helps you.
If you're going to BUILD your AEQ pieces, then you need to know that maximum costs for any piece which is as follows;
50 BT's to purchase +3 to the skill of your choice.
75 BT's to purchase the 5% bonus of you choice. (Note, SA additions cost less.)
300 BT's to completely upgrade the piece.
Total MAX cost for each built AEQ piece is 425 BT's.
If you're going to SHOP for your piece you can choose many ways to go but here is what I've been doing for years and years now and I continually get 90+% of all my dots all 4 AEQ pieces for much less than building them AND that also means I can train on multi-train longer before switching to light training. ALl of my current dots (except for the youngest that isn't able to shop for his pieces yet) have 4 AEQ pieces and were gotten using this method.
I start as soon as intelligently possible... which is level 31 (Monty covered that well above).
PLAN!!! I cannot emphasize this enough. PLAN it out. Know exactly WHAT pieces you MUST have... what pieces you WANT... and what pieces you will ACCEPT. Below is a list of pieces and their quality/value, in order, so you can see what I'm talking about.
#1. +3 to your primary skill & 5% bonus of choice. This is the perfect piece. It's the most expensive to build.
#2. 5% bonus of choice but NO skill bonus. Costs 50 BT's to add on the skill of your choice.
#3. +2 to your Primary skill & 5% bonus of choice. I use to think this was a #4 piece but the amount of time and BT's you save by settling for this piece is much more valuable than the following piece which I use to have here.
#4. +3 to your primary skill with NO bonus to any SA/ability. It costs a MAX of 75 BT's to add on the 5% bonus of your choice.
#5. +3 to your Primary skill & a +1 to the SA of your choice. A very good piece.
#6. +3 to any SECONDARY skill (not a blue star but a gold star skill) & a 5% bonus of your choice.
#7. +3 to any TRICIARY skill (a blue star skill important to your build design) & a 5% bonus of your choice.
#8. A +1 to any SA of your choice with NO bonus to any skill. Costs 50 BT's to add on the +3 skill bonus.
#9. +3 to any SECONDARY skill (not a blue star but a gold star skill) with NO bonus to any SA/ability. It costs a MAX of 75 BT's to add on the 5% bonus of your choice.
ANY other piece is simply a waste of time and BT's. IMO.
I also only shop for the 1st 3 pieces... then, depending on how lucky I was shopping, I might try to shop just a few times for the 4th, but not more than 2 or 3 refreshes. Why? Because it costs 15 BT's to 'Swap Out' a piece and there's only 4 different pieces you can get; Head, Hands, Feet, and Body. The first piece is the easiest to get because anything works. After you get your 1st piece, then you don't want a second one that goes in the same place... I'll take it if it's an awesome piece and spend the 15 BT's to swap it but that's 15 less BT's in your pocket... which is 1/2 of an upgrade. It's not something you want to do a lot of. So the more pieces you get, the tighter the pool becomes. Trying for the 4th piece generally is an exercise in frustration. Rather than spend a LOT of BT's and time shopping for it, it's much easier to just build it instead. Problem solved.
DO NOT let good pieces slip past in search for the perfect piece... it generally ends up costing you a LOT more BT's doing that and can be extremely frustrating. I swear the game knows whenever I have done just that... let a +3 only piece slip past hoping for something better and then spending 40 more BT's shopping just to get a replacement for the piece I let slip by.
Also Monty is right about your CEQ as well. Rather than trick it out every single time an upgrade is available, just do the 1st two upgrades (initial purchase gives you +6 to your skill, the second one lets you select the SA tree) only and wait on further upgrades until you have finished shopping for your AEQ. This way, if you DO end up selecting a piece that isn't quite 'perfect' but is really good, then you can use your CEQ to make up for the difference.
Lastly, I have a rule of only refreshing the shop 4 times per visit. Why? Because it costs 3 BT's every time you refresh. 3 times 4 is 12 BT's for a shopping trip. Every time you multi-train (if you're training 4 way) you get 12 BT's. This way I always refresh my BT's back up and it keeps me from doing stupid which happens to so many who shop for BT's. They refresh, don't get quite what they want, refresh, still don't get it, refresh again and again ans soon believe that surely the next refresh MUST bring them a good piece. They end up spending 100 BT's just shopping for ONE piece. Bad. Very bad. I have a cutoff when I shop at 48 BT's (that's 4 shopping trips at 4 refreshes per trip). After that, I give up and build the piece. It doesn't happen very often (to me, anyways), but when it does, I then build the dot as a 3 AEQ dot and build ALL the pieces rather than just continue to pound my head against the wall. This usually only happens when you're building a non-standard style dot (example would be a RQB you want to build as a power style runner).
In the end, be smart. PLAN it out. Keep track and know where you're going and what you want/need. Shopping works usually and usually works best. Building is easier to plan for but will cost you more BT's that way. Choice is yours.
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Early use of BT's depends on which way you decide to build a dot. There are 2 ways (when using the 4-way multi-training method... which is what most everyone does) to go about it.
#1, you are going to train your primary skill from the very beginning to the very end of the dots' life. In this way you purchase your primary skill as a fixed training slot along with 2 other skills you plan on training all the way as well. The last remaining slot you rotate various important skills in and out as you need to create your build. For O-linemen, QB's, Kickers, Punters, and a few other types of builds, this style works best and makes for the best builds for those kinds of dots.
If you go this route, you should probably 3x enhance all of your fixed training skills. You MIGHT consider 1x or 2x enhancement of SOME of your other skills important to the dot. One of my faves is to 2x Stamina since I will train it and it IS very important. Something like Vision you might 1x enhance (if important to the build). Generally speaking, it's up to you for those secondary skills you plan on training (usually blue star skills) if you want to spend a little BT's or not.
#2, You do NOT plan on training your primary skill past a certain point so rather than purchase a fixed training slot for it you are better off using those fixed training slots for skills you DO plan on training all the way... OR... in some cases you only have 2 skills you plan on training from start to finish so you can purchase a 4th fixed training slot which you plan on swapping out with one of your other fixed training slots later in the build. This type of approach is something you use for specialty builds. An example would be something like a Power WR build where you're trying to build a dot that can both block on outside running plays AND can actually work as a possession WR in the passing game. (I build these a lot lately). Since I need MORE quality in SEVERAL skills (Speed, agility, strength, catching, carrying, blocking, jumping, vision, stamina)... I need to be able to be more flexible with my multi-training. So I'll 2x enhance more than usual and also purchase an extra fixed training slot for a skill. These types of dot require serious planing and sticking to that plan like duct tape.
In the end, planing the build out really helps a lot (especially IF you do not use the VPB or don't have one that works). I've used these techniques for many years now and generally end up with about 180-200+ BT's by the time level 31 comes around... plenty to shop with. If, however, you are choosing to BUILD all your AEQ, then you WILL need more BT's... so you might not spend those extra BT's on enhancements to secondary skills just to be SURE you have enough to buy everything you need.
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Originally posted by Theo Wizzago
I wrote this up in the forums to help answer an AEQ question so there's gonna be some direct replies to persons within the wall of text, but the overall subject matter is spot on as to my approach in shopping for AEQ. When BUILDING your AEQ, it's simple mathematics and is also included in the reply below. Enjoy and hope this helps you.
If you're going to BUILD your AEQ pieces, then you need to know that maximum costs for any piece which is as follows;
50 BT's to purchase +3 to the skill of your choice.
75 BT's to purchase the 5% bonus of you choice. (Note, SA additions cost less.)
300 BT's to completely upgrade the piece.
Total MAX cost for each built AEQ piece is 425 BT's.
If you're going to SHOP for your piece you can choose many ways to go but here is what I've been doing for years and years now and I continually get 90+% of all my dots all 4 AEQ pieces for much less than building them AND that also means I can train on multi-train longer before switching to light training. ALl of my current dots (except for the youngest that isn't able to shop for his pieces yet) have 4 AEQ pieces and were gotten using this method.
I start as soon as intelligently possible... which is level 31 (Monty covered that well above).
PLAN!!! I cannot emphasize this enough. PLAN it out. Know exactly WHAT pieces you MUST have... what pieces you WANT... and what pieces you will ACCEPT. Below is a list of pieces and their quality/value, in order, so you can see what I'm talking about.
#1. +3 to your primary skill & 5% bonus of choice. This is the perfect piece. It's the most expensive to build.
#2. 5% bonus of choice but NO skill bonus. Costs 50 BT's to add on the skill of your choice.
#3. +2 to your Primary skill & 5% bonus of choice. I use to think this was a #4 piece but the amount of time and BT's you save by settling for this piece is much more valuable than the following piece which I use to have here.
#4. +3 to your primary skill with NO bonus to any SA/ability. It costs a MAX of 75 BT's to add on the 5% bonus of your choice.
#5. +3 to your Primary skill & a +1 to the SA of your choice. A very good piece.
#6. +3 to any SECONDARY skill (not a blue star but a gold star skill) & a 5% bonus of your choice.
#7. +3 to any TRICIARY skill (a blue star skill important to your build design) & a 5% bonus of your choice.
#8. A +1 to any SA of your choice with NO bonus to any skill. Costs 50 BT's to add on the +3 skill bonus.
#9. +3 to any SECONDARY skill (not a blue star but a gold star skill) with NO bonus to any SA/ability. It costs a MAX of 75 BT's to add on the 5% bonus of your choice.
ANY other piece is simply a waste of time and BT's. IMO.
I also only shop for the 1st 3 pieces... then, depending on how lucky I was shopping, I might try to shop just a few times for the 4th, but not more than 2 or 3 refreshes. Why? Because it costs 15 BT's to 'Swap Out' a piece and there's only 4 different pieces you can get; Head, Hands, Feet, and Body. The first piece is the easiest to get because anything works. After you get your 1st piece, then you don't want a second one that goes in the same place... I'll take it if it's an awesome piece and spend the 15 BT's to swap it but that's 15 less BT's in your pocket... which is 1/2 of an upgrade. It's not something you want to do a lot of. So the more pieces you get, the tighter the pool becomes. Trying for the 4th piece generally is an exercise in frustration. Rather than spend a LOT of BT's and time shopping for it, it's much easier to just build it instead. Problem solved.
DO NOT let good pieces slip past in search for the perfect piece... it generally ends up costing you a LOT more BT's doing that and can be extremely frustrating. I swear the game knows whenever I have done just that... let a +3 only piece slip past hoping for something better and then spending 40 more BT's shopping just to get a replacement for the piece I let slip by.
Also Monty is right about your CEQ as well. Rather than trick it out every single time an upgrade is available, just do the 1st two upgrades (initial purchase gives you +6 to your skill, the second one lets you select the SA tree) only and wait on further upgrades until you have finished shopping for your AEQ. This way, if you DO end up selecting a piece that isn't quite 'perfect' but is really good, then you can use your CEQ to make up for the difference.
Lastly, I have a rule of only refreshing the shop 4 times per visit. Why? Because it costs 3 BT's every time you refresh. 3 times 4 is 12 BT's for a shopping trip. Every time you multi-train (if you're training 4 way) you get 12 BT's. This way I always refresh my BT's back up and it keeps me from doing stupid which happens to so many who shop for BT's. They refresh, don't get quite what they want, refresh, still don't get it, refresh again and again ans soon believe that surely the next refresh MUST bring them a good piece. They end up spending 100 BT's just shopping for ONE piece. Bad. Very bad.
I have a cutoff when I shop at 48 BT's (that's 4 shopping trips at 4 refreshes per trip). After that, I give up and build the piece. It doesn't happen very often (to me, anyways), but when it does, I then build the dot as a 3 AEQ dot and build ALL the pieces rather than just continue to pound my head against the wall. This usually only happens when you're building a non-standard style dot (example would be a RQB you want to build as a power style runner).In the end, be smart. PLAN it out. Keep track and know where you're going and what you want/need. Shopping works usually and usually works best. Building is easier to plan for but will cost you more BT's that way. Choice is yours.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Early use of BT's depends on which way you decide to build a dot. There are 2 ways (when using the 4-way multi-training method... which is what most everyone does) to go about it.
#1, you are going to train your primary skill from the very beginning to the very end of the dots' life. In this way you purchase your primary skill as a fixed training slot along with 2 other skills you plan on training all the way as well. The last remaining slot you rotate various important skills in and out as you need to create your build. For O-linemen, QB's, Kickers, Punters, and a few other types of builds, this style works best and makes for the best builds for those kinds of dots.
If you go this route, you should probably 3x enhance all of your fixed training skills. You MIGHT consider 1x or 2x enhancement of SOME of your other skills important to the dot. One of my faves is to 2x Stamina since I will train it and it IS very important. Something like Vision you might 1x enhance (if important to the build). Generally speaking, it's up to you for those secondary skills you plan on training (usually blue star skills) if you want to spend a little BT's or not.
#2, You do NOT plan on training your primary skill past a certain point so rather than purchase a fixed training slot for it you are better off using those fixed training slots for skills you DO plan on training all the way... OR... in some cases you only have 2 skills you plan on training from start to finish so you can purchase a 4th fixed training slot which you plan on swapping out with one of your other fixed training slots later in the build. This type of approach is something you use for specialty builds. An example would be something like a Power WR build where you're trying to build a dot that can both block on outside running plays AND can actually work as a possession WR in the passing game. (I build these a lot lately). Since I need MORE quality in SEVERAL skills (Speed, agility, strength, catching, carrying, blocking, jumping, vision, stamina)... I need to be able to be more flexible with my multi-training. So I'll 2x enhance more than usual and also purchase an extra fixed training slot for a skill. These types of dot require serious planing and sticking to that plan like duct tape.
In the end, planing the build out really helps a lot (especially IF you do not use the VPB or don't have one that works). I've used these techniques for many years now and generally end up with about 180-200+ BT's by the time level 31 comes around... plenty to shop with. If, however, you are choosing to BUILD all your AEQ, then you WILL need more BT's... so you might not spend those extra BT's on enhancements to secondary skills just to be SURE you have enough to buy everything you need.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------THE END -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totally depends on the following things;
#1. The dot builder. If you have something you've been doing and it's been successful, then stick to it. Some start later... some wait until the end... I generally start at level 31 but in a limited way. I will only go through my 4x refresh two times and if I haven't gotten a piece by then, I wait until level 41 to try again. Same for level 41. Once I hit level 51, either I've had success or I have not. If not then I'm building and, likely, only 3 pieces. At least to start with. As always keep constant track of your BT's.
#2. The type of dot. While I won't spam the world with notes taken on various attempts to shop for AEQ, I will say this with 100% certainty... not all dots are created equal "shopping-wise". Some dots I have extremely seldom have issues with getting top quality AEQ. O-line would be one of those. Then there are dots where getting top quality pieces is like pulling teeth. STOP's can be one of those... specialty builds like using a Deep Passer archetype to build a Power RQB... stuff like that. Then there's what's in between... which is many standard dots like LB's and FB's where they're hurt because there's too much variance to choose from (in AEQ wants and/or needs).
Lastly I'm working on upgrading that 'Guide' as I've always wanted to simplify it as well as add on some other important stuff I've figured out over time. If/when I get that done I'll post it for others to use.
#1. The dot builder. If you have something you've been doing and it's been successful, then stick to it. Some start later... some wait until the end... I generally start at level 31 but in a limited way. I will only go through my 4x refresh two times and if I haven't gotten a piece by then, I wait until level 41 to try again. Same for level 41. Once I hit level 51, either I've had success or I have not. If not then I'm building and, likely, only 3 pieces. At least to start with. As always keep constant track of your BT's.
#2. The type of dot. While I won't spam the world with notes taken on various attempts to shop for AEQ, I will say this with 100% certainty... not all dots are created equal "shopping-wise". Some dots I have extremely seldom have issues with getting top quality AEQ. O-line would be one of those. Then there are dots where getting top quality pieces is like pulling teeth. STOP's can be one of those... specialty builds like using a Deep Passer archetype to build a Power RQB... stuff like that. Then there's what's in between... which is many standard dots like LB's and FB's where they're hurt because there's too much variance to choose from (in AEQ wants and/or needs).
Lastly I'm working on upgrading that 'Guide' as I've always wanted to simplify it as well as add on some other important stuff I've figured out over time. If/when I get that done I'll post it for others to use.
IMO the only reason to shop at 31 is impatience 
I do it sometimes, and feel real stupid when I don't get my Eq, but super happy when I do.
It's always best to wait till later on (41, 51, etc) the odds are more in you favor...but is it the funnest?
I do it sometimes, and feel real stupid when I don't get my Eq, but super happy when I do.
It's always best to wait till later on (41, 51, etc) the odds are more in you favor...but is it the funnest?
Could be true (impatience) but I just know I generally end with 4 AEQ which is the goal in the end. How you get there is a builder's personal preference, imho. As long as you have a plan, stick to it, and always keep track of BT's. I think what kills most people is that last bit. Spending 48+ BT's just to get one piece doesn't save you a heck of a lot vs building. A top piece costs around 27 BT's to buy + whatever you spent on shopping (refreshes). So 48+27=75. Cost to build the same piece costs 125 so you save 50 BT's. I much prefer saving a lot more so, again, keeping track of your BT's is important (imho).
vtech9
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Originally posted by SeattleNiner
IMO the only reason to shop at 31 is impatience
I do it sometimes, and feel real stupid when I don't get my Eq, but super happy when I do.
It's always best to wait till later on (41, 51, etc) the odds are more in you favor...but is it the funnest?
This is me. I usually shop a few times at lvl 31. I've been lucky a few times, but more often than not, I end up having to wait until lvl 41 anyway.
IMO the only reason to shop at 31 is impatience
I do it sometimes, and feel real stupid when I don't get my Eq, but super happy when I do.
It's always best to wait till later on (41, 51, etc) the odds are more in you favor...but is it the funnest?
This is me. I usually shop a few times at lvl 31. I've been lucky a few times, but more often than not, I end up having to wait until lvl 41 anyway.
TJ Spikes
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I realize this probably isn't helpful but, you hit L51 right around the time you need to decide if you're going to do a 3 or 4 AEQ build. That's what I would use as a cut off date to have everything sorted. If you're doing 4 AEQ you need to step down to Light training around that time.
Also haven't seen it mentioned anywhere that the longer you wait, the more pieces come with an attribute plus and % (or SA) attached already. That might sound good, but it can be a pain in the ass when you get that great 5% piece you've been looking for with a +2 Jumping or something else worthless attached to it.
The only other thing I have to add is that it probably also depends on the position, and your own personal luck. I never have any issues shopping for QB % gear for example, but any time I do a TE I always just buy the gear, because I have 0 luck shopping for it.
Also haven't seen it mentioned anywhere that the longer you wait, the more pieces come with an attribute plus and % (or SA) attached already. That might sound good, but it can be a pain in the ass when you get that great 5% piece you've been looking for with a +2 Jumping or something else worthless attached to it.
The only other thing I have to add is that it probably also depends on the position, and your own personal luck. I never have any issues shopping for QB % gear for example, but any time I do a TE I always just buy the gear, because I have 0 luck shopping for it.
Spot on, TJ. The normal range of when I switch to light training is between day 165-175. For me, at least, it helps to know exactly where I am with AEQ before then so I shop early in hopes (and almost always successful at) of having all my AEQ done and already putting BT's into. That way some simple math and I know when to make the switch. I suppose it's much simpler building all 4 pieces but that also means you'll be stopping (multi-training) quite a bit earlier and switching over to light training sooner. I prefer to max out my training as once you switch over the gains are so small that working on any main skill is totally pointless. I usually address skills still below the 1st cap... where I can get better gains.
And, yeah. Some builds just don't get great shopping gear. That's when a simple +3 to your primary (or, even, secondary) skill is still big. Even if it comes with no Bonus or SA, it's still a 7 BT cost for a 50 BT upgrade. Counting the cost of refreshing the store, that's saving 40 BT's (if you get real lucky on the 1st refresh). 40 BT's is 7 days of light training... or the cost of 1 1/3rd of an AEQ upgrade. It really adds up. I've had a few times when I had to give up and go with only 3 AEQ... and I've had times when I could only get 2 good pieces from the store then build the other two... it's never perfect and everyone has a different experience. How I do it could well not work for crap for someone else. It does work for me, for sure.
And, yeah. Some builds just don't get great shopping gear. That's when a simple +3 to your primary (or, even, secondary) skill is still big. Even if it comes with no Bonus or SA, it's still a 7 BT cost for a 50 BT upgrade. Counting the cost of refreshing the store, that's saving 40 BT's (if you get real lucky on the 1st refresh). 40 BT's is 7 days of light training... or the cost of 1 1/3rd of an AEQ upgrade. It really adds up. I've had a few times when I had to give up and go with only 3 AEQ... and I've had times when I could only get 2 good pieces from the store then build the other two... it's never perfect and everyone has a different experience. How I do it could well not work for crap for someone else. It does work for me, for sure.
regnac
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Is the switch to light training Day 180 still good for getting enough BT's to build AEQ and end up with 4 pieces if you don't get lucky shopping?
Originally posted by King of Bling
RQB is the WORST for shopping!
It is. Also any 'unusual builds' or specialty style builds. But yeah. RQB's keep getting lots of passing gear but little rushing gear when shopping.
Originally posted by RyanCane26
I do 160 to be safe
Pretty close. I think it's earlier if you plan on building all 4 AEQ pieces. (checks notes)
Yeah. 1,200 top end spending for 4 AEQ which takes 200 days worth of light training (if you have 0 BT's at the time).
RQB is the WORST for shopping!
It is. Also any 'unusual builds' or specialty style builds. But yeah. RQB's keep getting lots of passing gear but little rushing gear when shopping.
Originally posted by RyanCane26
I do 160 to be safe
Pretty close. I think it's earlier if you plan on building all 4 AEQ pieces. (checks notes)
Yeah. 1,200 top end spending for 4 AEQ which takes 200 days worth of light training (if you have 0 BT's at the time).
regnac
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Originally posted by RyanCane26
I do 160 to be safe
That is what I was thinking as well.
I do 160 to be safe
That is what I was thinking as well.
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