Cryptic posted an explanation for this before. Basically, they are totally different things, they are currently mis-named.
Common (and techs): are for STF sets
Rare (and a prototype or something): are for high quality non-set anti-borg gears (e.g. purple mk XII Covariant shields)
The deal with "rare salvage" is that you can go to the store and choose whether you want a shield, engine or deflector, etc, and with exactly the bouns you want.
Right so its common I need for my new shield/engine/def set?
yes, but there is other ways. let me explain.
20 common will buy you a common borg item. this will be like a phaser or shield that is slightly better against the borg. (ie a good item but not one of the sets)
or you can get a rare borg salvage and buy one straight away.
30 common salvage will buy you one piece of a set.
or you can get rare borg shield/engine/def salvage that will get you one of the set straight away. each task force offers a different piece as a random drop. so infected is the shield tech for example. you might get one on the first run through or the 20th, depending on how lucky you are.
you get one piece of common every time, and you extra extra drops that could be common or rare as you go along. they will have special weekends where the salvage is increased, or the elite versions will offer more as well.
theoretically 90 runs is the maximum amount of plays i will take you to get a set, playing on normal, but with rare drops and extra random loot you should get it much much quicker. if you were trully lucky you could play each once and get the rare drop each time, although the odds of that are remote.
I think they should reevaluate that and make it available to buy the new sets with rares, since I was so disappointed to get two and couldn't use them for the sets.
Comments
Common (and techs): are for STF sets
Rare (and a prototype or something): are for high quality non-set anti-borg gears (e.g. purple mk XII Covariant shields)
The deal with "rare salvage" is that you can go to the store and choose whether you want a shield, engine or deflector, etc, and with exactly the bouns you want.
yes, but there is other ways. let me explain.
20 common will buy you a common borg item. this will be like a phaser or shield that is slightly better against the borg. (ie a good item but not one of the sets)
or you can get a rare borg salvage and buy one straight away.
30 common salvage will buy you one piece of a set.
or you can get rare borg shield/engine/def salvage that will get you one of the set straight away. each task force offers a different piece as a random drop. so infected is the shield tech for example. you might get one on the first run through or the 20th, depending on how lucky you are.
you get one piece of common every time, and you extra extra drops that could be common or rare as you go along. they will have special weekends where the salvage is increased, or the elite versions will offer more as well.
theoretically 90 runs is the maximum amount of plays i will take you to get a set, playing on normal, but with rare drops and extra random loot you should get it much much quicker. if you were trully lucky you could play each once and get the rare drop each time, although the odds of that are remote.
its confusing at first but i hope that helps.