Your questions aren't difficult but all the answers are subjective; depend on the taste(s) of the person offering the opinion. In general, here are some basic things to know: Intellect - reduces the cool down of your super Discipline - reduces the cool down of your grenade Strength - reduces the cool down of your melee [u]Here's what the factions focus on[/u]: Future War Cult armor offers bonuses in intellect (super) and discipline (grenade) cool downs Dead Orbit armor offers bonuses in discipline (grenade) and strength (melee) cool downs New Monarchy armor offers bonuses in intellect (super) and strength (melee) cool downs Determine what's most important to you; based on your play style, then make your choice. Of course, you can always tell the 'big three' to pi$$ up a rope and just rep the Vanguard.