Warrior General Games

I'm still not sure I understand this AEQ stuff fully. I haven't built a dot for several years now until recently, and I have one approaching the point of needing to start saving BT's for AEQ.

AEQ replaces regular EQ, so what's the benefit? Do you keep rolling until you get a piece that is better than the regular equipment piece you already have in that slot? Could you guys give me an example of what a good piece of AEQ would offer over the regular equipment?

Thanks, asking a lot here I know lol, just want to make sure I understand it before it's too late for my RB!

With AE you can get 3 more points than Normal EQ (+13 for AE vs +10 for Normal). however, the biggest impact for AE is the +% bonuses. A fully upgraded AE that starts as +5% ends up being +15%. 15% may not seem like a lot, but it is actually huge in this game.

Most people go with at least 3 AE with % bonuses. If their player is a position like OL that really only has one purpose, they will double/triple up on that one role (i.e. Hold Block for OL). If they are more rounded, like a LB, they may go 4 AE with 4 different % bonuses ( Make Tackle / Avoid Fake / Force Fumble / Break Block for a run stop LB for instance).

Awesome, that makes perfect sense now! I know I saw this a few days ago but have no idea how to find it now...when do you start saving BT's, and how many are needed for fully upgraded AEQ? I assume most light train from that point on until you have the number of BT's you need.

It takes 300 BTs to upgrade one AE. However, you also have to create / or shop for the original AE. Making an +3 / +5% AE costs 125 BTs, so the total maximum cost is 425 BTs per AE. It can cost less if you shop (altho you can also spend BTs on shopping and not get what you want). You get 6 BTs per light train, so you can do the math on how soon you need to switch.

Originally posted by aaron_c
Awesome, that makes perfect sense now! I know I saw this a few days ago but have no idea how to find it now...when do you start saving BT's, and how many are needed for fully upgraded AEQ? I assume most light train from that point on until you have the number of BT's you need.

From the start!

Typical progression of a build is like this:

(spending BTs for training enhancements and unlocking multi-training as you need)

- Intense train (cash in BTs for an SP or 2 when you fall just short of a cap)
- Multi train (cash in BTs for an SP or 2 when you fall just short of a cap)
- Light train around day 180-240 (depends if you want to go 3 or 4 pieces and AEQ and how much you've spent on training enhancements


By the time you get to that day 180-240 window where you have to figure exactly how many BTs you need, you should have a super healthy stockpile (whether it be in the form of BTs or already purchased/upgraded AEQ that you've started on)..

Is it okay to start on AEQ earlier if you want? I thought I'd read it was better to wait for some reason. Thanks again guys, I appreciate the discussion and help!

Originally posted by aaron_c
Is it okay to start on AEQ earlier if you want? I thought I'd read it was better to wait for some reason. Thanks again guys, I appreciate the discussion and help!

wait until level 41 to start shopping, anything before that will be like wise winning a WL title it aint gonna happen.

Originally posted by Thundercat_12
wait until level 41 to start shopping, anything before that will be like wise winning a WL title it aint gonna happen.

Some people suggest Level 31... I'd say if you want to shop at Level 31, that's fine, but BUDGET yourself. Give yourself 4 or 5 rolls and hold yourself to it.

That's where most people get in trouble on rolling for AEQ anyway, at any level... not knowing when to stop. Sometimes you just have to get up and walk away from the slot machine before "just one more roll" turns into 20 more rolls.

Originally posted by Novus
Some people suggest Level 31... I'd say if you want to shop at Level 31, that's fine, but BUDGET yourself. Give yourself 4 or 5 rolls and hold yourself to it.

That's where most people get in trouble on rolling for AEQ anyway, at any level... not knowing when to stop. Sometimes you just have to get up and walk away from the slot machine before "just one more roll" turns into 20 more rolls.

You could say same thing about beer

Originally posted by aaron_c
just want to make sure I understand it before it's too late for my RB!

a little off topic but that HB build looks rough, only has 77 speed at level 27? yikes

Yeah, that having been my first build in several years, I definitely balanced it out earlier than I should have. I'll probably take speed straight into the 80's natural next time before doing anything else. I enjoy trying various different strategies. I still may hold onto this RB until retirement age though (as long as he has a team), just to continue using him as a learning tool since I don't think I've ever done that.

I have a successful team that said they will take him next year so maybe it's not that bad of a 'first build' since coming back! I do admit I can't wait for day 40, so I can start on a new player...or three..lol.

Originally posted by Novus
Some people suggest Level 31... I'd say if you want to shop at Level 31, that's fine, but BUDGET yourself. Give yourself 4 or 5 rolls and hold yourself to it.

That's where most people get in trouble on rolling for AEQ anyway, at any level... not knowing when to stop. Sometimes you just have to get up and walk away from the slot machine before "just one more roll" turns into 20 more rolls.

Could you explain the emphasis on budgeting yourself if you shop at level 31, as opposed to 41? Is it more expensive at level 31, or what? I guess I'm not sure of the downside of doing it at 31 vs 41!

Originally posted by aaron_c
Could you explain the emphasis on budgeting yourself if you shop at level 31, as opposed to 41? Is it more expensive at level 31, or what? I guess I'm not sure of the downside of doing it at 31 vs 41!


Managing your BTs when shopping is key whether you shop at 31, 41, 61, or all of the above. However, you are somewhat less likely to find an AE you want at lower levels, which makes it easier to spend alot of BTs at 31 (or 41) without getting an AE that you want to buy.

With regards to the downside, at level 31, you will get one fewer EQ to choose from. I can't recall if it is 4 options at 31 and 5 at 41, or what, but whatever the exact number of EQ choices you get, it is one fewer at 31 vs 41. This makes you less likely per roll (i.e. per 3 BTs spent) to find a good AE. Also, the bonuses on the AE scale to your player's level. At level 1, you will see basically only +1 attribute or +2% bonus AE. By level 31, you start seeing some +3 attribute or +5% bonus AEs. However, at 31 they are still pretty rare (perhaps 10% of the EQ options will have that) plus you don't want to take just any attribute or % bonus, so getting the exact attribute or bonus that you want makes the chances even smaller. By level 41, the number of +3 attribute or +5% bonus AE has increased, making it more likely that you will find what you are looking for with fewer BTs spent on shopping.

I hope that makes sense.

Originally posted by aaron_c
Could you explain the emphasis on budgeting yourself if you shop at level 31, as opposed to 41? Is it more expensive at level 31, or what? I guess I'm not sure of the downside of doing it at 31 vs 41!


Budgeting at any level is important.

But I'd argue it's more important at lower levels simply because the lower your level, the fewer pieces you'll get per roll -- and thus the lower your chances of finding a good piece on each roll.

It's like the difference between "just one more roll" on a slot machine that pays jackpots once every 10,000 spins versus "just one more roll" on a slot machine that pays jackpots once every 1,000 spins. At either machine, you really should set a limit for yourself and walk away when you hit it. But you're a lot dumber doing "just one more roll" at the first machine than at the second one.

Originally posted by aaron_c
Could you explain the emphasis on budgeting yourself if you shop at level 31, as opposed to 41? Is it more expensive at level 31, or what? I guess I'm not sure of the downside of doing it at 31 vs 41!


Study the system. Know the costs for each item you seek or could seek. (Like knowing it costs 50 BT's to add a +3 skill to a AEQ piece with a SA or 5% bonus on it... or knowing that adding a 5% bonus to a +3 skill piece costs 75 BT's.) Knowing what stuff costs helps you estimate how much it takes to finish each AEQ piece. (Also note it costs 30 BT's for each upgrade.)
This knowledge gives you a "base number" for each piece you're wanting... which gives you an overall cost for all pieces you're seeking for that particular dot.

From that knowledge, my tactic is to have a BT number where I start rolling (if you're not going to build each piece) for my AEQ. Once I hit that number, I then roll no more than 3 times per "attempt". Pre-setting my rolling like this helps me avoid exactly what Novus was talking about... the "gambler's addiction"... where you keep thinking, "Just one more roll... I can feel it!". I'll do that for each piece I'm shooting for, then concentrate on upgrading those pieces until I'm done.