Gear

Math Comparison
Merge: To obtain 1-star red gear (helm): Requires 3^11=177,147 1-star green helms Recycle: To obtain 1-star red gear (random): Requires 25,000x6=150,000 equipment coins (150,000 1-star green (any) gear pieces)

Merge or Recycle?
Recycling will: +  Save 15.3% gear pieces +  Allows use any gear piece to get the coins +/- Will not give credit towards gear merge dailies or event missions -  Will result in a random 1-star red gear piece. Merging will: +  Give credit for gear merge dailies and event missions +/- Results in the same gear piece as those merged. -  Costs 15.3% more equipment pieces to obtain 1-star red -  Requires the same gear piece to be merged to reach 1-star red gear.

Gear Management Strategies
1. As a surplus of 1 type of piece (usually boots and chests) occurs, recycling boots/chests can correct the imbalance over time. 2. Merging higher star gear pieces for credit yields the most efficiency. If you can complete your missions with auto-merge purple and below option on, that is most efficient.