Equipment upgrades: compare the improvement you actually gain

Use the difference, not the headline stat

The developer confirms weapons, armor and vehicles for henchmen. To compare replacements, first write down your existing item’s relevant stats. The benefit of a replacement is the difference between the new and old setup, subject to the game’s actual equip rules.

A large number on an item card is not evidence of the same increase to your whole crew. Check the active loadout or summary before and after equipping.

A fair cost comparison

Illustration: replacing an item with 80 attack by one with 100 adds 20 displayed attack. If the replacement costs 2,000 cash, that is 100 cash per added attack point. An upgrade costing 1,500 for 25 added points costs 60 per point.

This only compares the same stat under the same conditions. It cannot equate attack with defense, account for a special effect, or predict combat damage without the game’s formula. Include any required materials in your decision even when you cannot assign them a cash value.

Test one change at a time

1. Record the intended unit, active slot, old item and displayed summary.
2. Change one item while keeping the rest of the setup constant.
3. Confirm the item is equipped, not merely owned.
4. Record the new summary and any visible ability change.
5. If testing combat, use comparable opponents and multiple attempts.

If equipping fails, inspect the exact message for ownership, level, slot or duplicate-use restrictions. Do not assume the requirement from a different version.

Balance crew spending with income

An upgrade that unlocks a needed activity can matter more than its raw stat efficiency. Describe that objective before spending. For optional upgrades, compare the cost of delaying an income purchase.

Read the henchmen overview for recruitment checks, then save your intended purchase in the session planner. There is no tested universal gear tier list in this guide; recommendations should change when your objective or the game changes.