Comparing loot while looting? Really confused.

[Naromi]

Hi everyone,

so I'm a new player, and yesterday I killed two soldiers for a quest. They dropped a helmet and some weapons.

When looking at the helmet on the loot screen, it displays what looks like it's comparing my gear to what I have on. I'll see red numbers in parentheses such as Stab defense 9 (-2).

I assumed it was comparing to what I was wearing, but it makes no sense at all. I'l hover over the helmet and see it says (-4) on a few stats but when I compare it to what I'm currently wearing in the inventory screen it's so much better than what I'm wearing.

How does comparing loot work when not in the inventory screen and on the loot screen? Do the red numbers (-5) show a comparison between what I'm about to loot and what I'm wearing?

I'm really confused, do I honestly have to loot every single item and then compare it in the char screen?

Thanks.

[Jaunitta 🌸]

You can use Q to find out about everything.
If the armor or weapon is suitable for your level you can keep it otherwise sell them :)

[grafstefan]

Actually, I always thought the numbers in parentheses were adjustments to the base stats of the item because of the condition. I expect wear and tear reduce the effectiveness of weapons and armour.

[AfLIcTeD]

Ignore the brackets as that is just the stat loss due to poor condition, once you repair it there won't be any stat loss.

[Naromi]

Originally posted by AfLIcTeD:

Ignore the brackets as that is just the stat loss due to poor condition, once you repair it there won't be any stat loss.

Thank you, and thanks everyone for the response.

So if the brackets are a durability stat loss and not a comparison metric this does indeed mean there is no way to directly compare items unless an item is looted and then compared from your inventory, is that correct?

[theo]

Oh you meant THOSE numbers, nvm...

Originally posted by Naromi:

there is no way to directly compare items unless an item is looted and then compared from your inventory

Correct

[JimmysTheBestCop]

It's hard to compare looted or found equipment because it's usually in such bad shape.

If you highlight a better piece of equipment you will see your defense numbers go to light blue meaning it increases.

But so much loot is under 50% durability even if your equipment stinks but is at 100% it might still show better.

And even when you max out maintenance you still can't repair severely damaged equipment it must go to the appropriate tradesman for repair.

[Naromi]

Originally posted by JimmysTheBestCop:

It's hard to compare looted or found equipment because it's usually in such bad shape.

If you highlight a better piece of equipment you will see your defense numbers go to light blue meaning it increases.

But so much loot is under 50% durability even if your equipment stinks but is at 100% it might still show better.

And even when you max out maintenance you still can't repair severely damaged equipment it must go to the appropriate tradesman for repair.

Thanks very much.

Is it worth the weight and gold cost of picking up items to be repaired at another time? Or is it better to just buy weapons and gear from Vendors?

I'm curious what the main progression loop is for gear.

Thank you

[JimmysTheBestCop]

It's worth it to sell all of that equipment. As there are a number of ways to make gold. Robbing, selling, hunting, and making potions to name a few.

You kind of have to manually check if a piece is good so you can save it for repair. As repairing a great find is still cheaper then buying new.

And as others have said you need to use the numbers in black since the red negatives are from degradation.