Originally posted by Swish37
When do you start purchasing the AEQ? How much does it cost to upgrade along the way? What constitutes a good piece?
Thanks for answering rookie questions. So much to learn, so little time...
Ok I'm just going to do my best to give you the full rundown of AEQ and how it works.
I generally do not shop for AEQ (random rolls-2 BT per) until late in the build (Level 45+) when you roll more items/they are better. If you are going to build your own AEQ you can buy it at any time. I like to build one piece early on and shop for others later. A good piece is usually +3 attribute (speed for FS, maybe vision if you absolutely have to), then +1 SA or +5%. If you buy one or the other you can enhance it for BT. For example, you roll a +3 speed piece with no other modifier, you can then pay to enhance it with an SA or +%. The converse works the same way, you get one that is ONLY +SA/% (no attributes at all) then you can add +3 to it later on. It costs 40 BT to add +3 attribute, and between 15 and 60 BT to add an SA/+5%, play around with the "build eq" menu in the equipment store and just look at the prices, you can build whatever you want even if you don't have enough to buy it. Plan out what you think your "ideal" set is going to be and by what methods you will get it, then plan your BT saving accordingly.
For a FS, I like Superior Vision EQ for sure, you definitely want at least one piece with that. The rest kinda depend on the build, but popular ones are Change Direction (due to low cost to add it to a piece). Other ones would be +% eq like +5% Pass Deflection or +5% Avoid Fake. Intercept Chance and Make Tackle Chance are useful, but not optimal IMO. Things that are not +5% (+2% or +3%) are not really worth it, but if you are really limited late in the build you might take one of them just to have something.
Shopping theories do differ. Earlier on (low teens, mid-20s or upper 30s) there are some sweet spots where you are likely to roll either +3 attribute OR +5% but not as much of both on the same piece. These are prime candidates to be enhanced. My level 36 CB just picked up +5% PD and +5% Avoid Fake (120 BT value) for a combined 48 BT (counting shopping trips) so that seems to be a good level for items like this. It will cost me 80 more BT to add +3 attribute to both, but the full cost of 128 BT is a steal considering the pieces. You'll have to play around a little . . . it's not an exact science. Just don't get caught up shopping and burn off 20 BT because you think "maybe next time." Shop once or twice, and if you're not seeing the type of EQ you want (e.g. you're seeing all +2 attribute or +3% or combo pieces that can't be enhanced), stop and wait a few levels. Bonus Tokens are your most precious resource, and before you know it you can shop away an amount that would have bought a good enhancement later on.
My FS's AEQ, to give you an idea:
+3 Speed/+1 Superior Vision
+3 Speed/+1 Change Direction
+3 Vision/+5% Deflect Pass
Keep in mind that he was built and these were purchased during a time when AEQ/BT were much much different. These are still examples of good FS AEQ, and ultimately the type of items you should be shooting for. At his current level (62) these each have 192 BT invested in the upgrades alone (24 BT every 8 levels), and it will get up to 240 by the end of his career for a grand total of 720 BT (upgrades alone!) at level 72. It's one thing to get the base item of your dreams, it's a whole 'nother animal upgrading it.
Should you roll something like +2 Speed/+5% Avoid Fake (+5% items are the most expensive enhancements, and best found by shopping), don't just pass it up! That's still pretty damn good, and if it can be had at a huge bargain it could constitute your 4th piece. Only in a very perfect world will you have 3 or 4 pieces of AEQ that are exactly what you want them to be. Just something to keep in mind. The other factor with shopping is that if you roll something good but already have a piece in that slot, it is 12 additional BT to move it to another slot. This can get annoying when shopping for the 3rd or 4th piece, but sometimes it's worth it to grab something and drop 12 BT rather than shopping 6 more times (12 BT) and hoping you get something even comparable in a slot you can use (unlikely).
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any more questions. If you truly are a rookie then I'll give you the best single piece of advice I have: Be patient, don't waste your resources just because they're burning a hole in your pocket. It's all about spending things at the right times in the right places, and planning ahead so you know when those times and places are.
