I been playing this game for a couple of months now and my partner and I decided to each upgrade to lifetime membership! Wahoo!!! £400 for a pub with no one in it! lol Kidding!
But one pet bug really bothers me and thats the items you put on you, your team and your ship. Such as weapons, shields etc.
Can someone tell me what the difference with some of the items are, as say a Mark X Shield common can have the same stats as something which is rare or very rare?
The only thing I can see is the fact you pay either a lot more on the exchange for tut that is essentially the same as a common item, or something even worse than what you have equipt.
Its complete nonesense! If something is going to be classed as very rare or rare, can we have something other than the colour that means it is rare! And not being funny, I like purple!!!

Granted it would open more work for the dev's (maybe?). But another way could be to have a choice to make when you receive it, of where you want the skill point. Then when it is applied by the user, you can equip it or sell it unbound and at least deal with the issue that something is unique and different from common or uncommon items.
Maybe then a system could be created, say if more than a set 'quota' of very rare items with the same skills become rare or common. Then make it become a common item and so on. When it reaches the bottom maybe allow a second recycling of the item and then maybe have a final choice of attributes and then cap it at a certain level.
Just an idea and a thought, as there is nothing more annoying than really searching the exchange for obtaining the best item at a fair price.
Whats everyone elses view or ideas on this?
Comments
The Mark, or Mk, level of an item corresponds directly to the minimum rank a player must hold in order to be able to equip the item. The odd-numbered Marks (e.g. I, III, V, VII, IX) correspond to slightly lower-quality versions of the next Mark up. In other words, a Mk III item is a lower-quality version of a Mk IV item, both of which can be used by their corresponding rank (Lt. Commander). The higher the mark number, the greater the items' abilities.
Mark TiersTier Mark Item Rank
1st Mark III Lieutenant
2nd Mark IIIIV Lt. Commander
3rd Mark VVI Commander
4th Mark VIIVIII Captain
5th Mark IXX Rear Admiral Lower Half / Brigadier General
Mark XIXII Rear Admiral Upper Half / Major General
Mark TBD Vice Admiral / Lieutenant General
I understand what you have explained, but I still dont understand if you have say, an uncommon shield mk X and a rare sheild say Mk III. Sometimes there seems to be no difference between the two items other than the obvious colour and Mk. The stats seem to be exactly the same. I often have a lower Mk weapon or shield because it does more than the one I have at Vice Admiral Rank.
Am I missing something? I get the feeling that I am headed for a total self kicking for not knowing something I should have by now! lol
It would be great if there was unique items and I do think with the current revamp of the crafting it will keep things fresh. But for me, I feel that the same problem remains.
If you move up a level, the common will be better than the common at Mk VIII, but the common at Mk X will probably be of lesser quality than the very rare at Mk VIII. Something is uncommon, rare, or very rare only at a given level. Move up a level, and reset your expectations.
The fact that you can have a Mk IX item that is better than a Mk X item is what keeps the exchange interesting and profitable for those willing to take the time to look and compare.