Here's a prime example of a good exchange rate.
a pair of dark fur sleeves 4db 2pb 0mvs 0abs
a pair of ringmail sleeves -2db 0pb 0mvs 5abs
a pair of flexed obsidian vambraces -3db -4pb 0mvs 10abs
I could go from dark sleeves to ringmail loosing 4db for 5 abs or go from dark to obsidian loosing 7db for 10 abs, these are both well worth it.
Here's an example of a bad exchange rate.
a pair of dark cloth leggings 6db 0pb 0mv 0abs
a pair of bearskin trousers 5db 0pb 1mv 1abs
a pair of baggy green breeches 4db 1pb 0mv 1abs
a pair of thick leather leggings 2db 0pb 4mvs 4abs
a pair of thin metal leggings 0db -2pb 6abs
a pair of ringmail leggings -2db 1pb 8abs
a pair of flexible riveted chainmail leggings -2db -5pb 0mvs 8abs
I could go from dark leggings to anything below and gain abs with a db loss but the pb gain is horrid, and let's face it any piece of eq not giving a minimum of 4% abs isn't worth messing with, what's 1% abs gonna do for a person?
Here's the best exchange pieces I've found.
a murky colored hood 4db 1pb 0mv 0abs
a black iron half-helm with a crimson crescent moon insignia -1db -2pb 0mvs 8abs - 5db loss for 8 abs, that's a good deal
a worn animal hide vest 8db 4pb 2abs
a snug-fitting jerkin of cured grolm hide 5db 4pb 0mvs 14abs - 3db loss for 12abs, a great deal
a pair of dark fur sleeves 4db 2pb 0mvs 0abs
a pair of flexed obsidian vambraces -3db -4pb 0mvs 10abs - 7db loss for 10abs, a great deal
a pair of swordsman gloves 3db 2pb 0mv 0abs
a pair of black ridged gauntlets 0db -3pb 0mvs 7abs - a 3 db loss for 7abs, a damn good deal
a pair of gold-fringed boots 4db 1pb 5mvs 0abs
a pair of hard leather boots 3db 0pb 4mvs 2abs - a 1db loss for 2abs, best gain for feet, all other eq echanges db for abs 1 for 1.
Shoulder eq is a problem, There's not even a 1 for 1 exchange rate, its a 2 for 1 rate. Shoulder eq needs to be upped in abs % anyways, I'd say add 1-2% to combo and abs shoulder eq and leave dodge eq as is.
Here's the current stats on the eq and below it is what I would change it to, btw you would need to remove abs% from another body part, I would suggest removing it from the body, plates, tunics, jerkins, etc have more than enough % to handle a 1-4% loss.
SHOULDER:
a set of white leather shoulder pads with scales 4db 1pb 0mvs 1abs
golden knots of rank 3db 2pb 0mvs 0abs
a set of finely worked shoulder pads sparkling with gold 3db 1pb 0mvs 1 abs
a set of shoulder pads worked with silver 2db 2pb 0mvs 2abs
a pair of tough leather shoulder pads 1db 1pb 1mv 1abs
Ideal stats
a set of white leather shoulder pads with scales 4db 1pb 0mvs 1abs
golden knots of rank 3db 2pb 0mvs 2abs
a set of finely worked shoulder pads sparkling with gold 3db 1pb 0mvs 2 abs
a set of shoulder pads worked with silver 2db 2pb 0mvs 3abs
a pair of tough leather shoulder pads 1db 1pb 1mv 2abs
With the new stats you could exchange white pads for silver pads loosing 2db for 3abs, that's a decent exchange.
I'd change abs shoulder eq to 3-4abs.