There appear to be two kinds of iron armor

[Maharin]

I just picked up a level 3 "iron leg armor" that has much better armor rating than the level 4 I was wearing.  The only thing the level 4 has that is better than the level 3 is 1 better explosion resistance a bit better durability.  Is this intentional or is there something else going on.  I have actually seen this once before.

[RipClaw]

This is normal. These are the random stats.

 

[Maharin]

I didn't actually realize they added random stats, honestly.  I was gone for most of the previous alpha (18) and some of this one.

 

Thank you.

[Danidas]

Everything beyond Stone Tier has random stats with in over lapping ranges so a lower tier or quality can have better stats. But naturally higher tier/quality items have a way higher chance at better stats. Mean while as mentioned Stone tier items always have the same stats as they are too easy to bulk craft.

 

As a result the player is incentivized to endlessly look for better and better gear even when kitted out with max tier purple gear.

[Junuxx]

Do the random stats follow a uniform or a normal distribution?

[stample]

Random, with a uniform amount per quality tier. 

 

        <passive_effect name="PhysicalDamageResist" operation="base_add" value="7.25,10.25"/>
        <passive_effect name="PhysicalDamageResist" operation="base_add" value="0,3.75" tier="1,6"/>

 

Basically its random between 7.25 and 10.25 base, then .75 per QL above 1.

Its got much more overlap than weapons' damage ratings.  A perfect roll on T1 would only be slightly worse than the worst roll on T6, and exactly match a worst roll on T5.