armor issue

[kcir]

I've got a problem here that I just can't figure out. Why are there even in-between armor sets? the non-merciless armor and even an incomplete of merciless armor is a worse to wear than the last completed level. for example, the merciless hollowfang armor grants +4% attack and move speed and +1 gear level. you lose those bonuses by replacing 1-3 pieces and won't see them again until you go through more levels of gear and have enough pieces to get the next bonus again. so....as soon as i upgrade a piece of armor my entire stats drop until i can equip the full set of merciless upgrades AFTER that rank....it doesn't make sense.

[Suzaku]

Specifically for PvE, your damage dealt and damage taken is directly related to your gear score compared to the enemy you're fighting. Replacing just 1 piece doesn't have any value, since you lose the set bonuses and don't gain GS, but further increases in gear directly translates into more damage dealt and increased survivability compared to the tiny bonuses you dropped for it.

[admos]

This occurs so that the lower tier armor doesn't become obsolete the instant you get one piece of the next tier's armor.

[kcir]

Originally posted by Suzaku:

Specifically for PvE, your damage dealt and damage taken is directly related to your gear score compared to the enemy you're fighting. Replacing just 1 piece doesn't have any value, since you lose the set bonuses and don't gain GS, but further increases in gear directly translates into more damage dealt and increased survivability compared to the tiny bonuses you dropped for it.

ahhhh. ok. that could definitely use a better worded tooltip. i thought i was getting +1 gear per item. still sucks that every other tier loses whatever bonus and just gives hp instead.