Maybe someone can post their own Proto Gallente Assault fittings. That would help a lot with the general concepts. Thanks in advance. =)

I just don't get the shield extender. It's only 66 points. Is there something I'm missing? With the two complex reppers I feel like going for shields is pointless. Grab the +5% damage, right? What don't I get?

What is with the shield extenders? I just don't understand at all.

66 hp is one RR shot or one TAC shot. Idk... I don't want to be a bother, and I don't want you to have to write a novel, but could you explain maybe in a theoretical example. I just don't see the benefit vs the faster ttk on such a small clipped weapon.

Okay, this might be a fundamental misunderstanding then. So is HP completely king? should I be looking at my HP as my primary resource?

It's a delicate balance. Hence the specific build.

This might be a good place to ask this. A lot of medium frame fits I have seen are dual tanked. Is this just a feature of the medium suits?

Okay very cool. Are there any viable pure armor tank fits?

You've been super helpful, would you mind looking at my skills and giving me some ideas with what I've got going?

Dropsuit Command
Dropsuit Command III
Gallente Medium Dropsuits V

Dropsuit Upgrades
Dropsuit Upgrades II
Dropsuit Armor Upgrades II
Armor Plating III
Armor Repair Systems V
Dropsuit Shield Upgrades II
Shield Extension III
Dropsuit Core Upgrades IV
Dropsuit Electronics IV
Dropsuit Engineering IV
Nanocircuitry II

Weaponry
Weaponry III
Explosives I
Handheld Weapons Upgrades V
Light Weapon Operation IV
Assault Rifle Operation V
Assault Rifle Proficiency I
Assault Rifle Sharpshooter II
Sidearm Operation V
Scrambler Pistol V
Scrambler Pistol Proficiency IV
Scrambler Pistol Ammo Capacity V

That's all I've got skill wise.

I think what my plan is as follows:
max out base fitting skills
max out assault rifle fitting skills (light weapons V, assault rifle proficiency V, and assault rifle fitting optimization V)
if (1.8 === released) {
max out ion pistol fitting skills (ion pistol V, pistol proficiency V, and ion pistol fitting optimization V)
}
else{
cry
}
Armor Plates V
Gallente Assault V

You've been super helpful, would you mind looking at my skills and giving me some ideas with what I've got going?

Dropsuit Command
Dropsuit Command III
*Gallente Medium Dropsuits V (ouch, that sucks bro, but maybe it'll be made viable in 1.8, who knows) [get in to racial suits ASAP]

Dropsuit Upgrades
Dropsuit Upgrades II
*Dropsuit Armor Upgrades II (extra armor per Lv, this is very important)
*Armor Plating III (extra armor per mod, also important)
Armor Repair Systems V
Dropsuit Shield Upgrades II (while not as important as the related armor skill, still very useful
Shield Extension III (very important to be able to use complex shield extender - nothing else will do) [skill to Lv 5 ASAP]
Dropsuit Core Upgrades IV
Dropsuit Electronics IV
Dropsuit Engineering IV
Nanocircuitry II (very important to be able to use the allotek) [skill to Lv 5 ASAP]

Weaponry
Weaponry III
Explosives I
Handheld Weapons Upgrades V
Light Weapon Operation IV
*Assault Rifle Operation V (right now the AR is out classed by every other assault type weapon, this may change in 1.8)
*Assault Rifle Proficiency I (it is very important to have at least Lv 3, but Lv 4 is preferable. Wouldnt recommend skilling Lv 5 until much later on)
Assault Rifle Sharpshooter II
Sidearm Operation V
*Scrambler Pistol V (Lv 5 was probably not the best investment you could have made)
*Scrambler Pistol Proficiency IV (that is fine for now. Focus on other stuff)
*Scrambler Pistol Ammo Capacity V (Lv 5 was probably not the best investment you could have made)

That's all I've got skill wise.

I think what my plan is as follows:
max out base fitting skills
*max out assault rifle fitting skills (light weapons V, assault rifle proficiency V, and assault rifle fitting optimization V) [this is a terrible idea, see reasons above]
if (1.8 === released) {
*max out ion pistol fitting skills (ion pistol V, pistol proficiency V, and ion pistol fitting optimization V) [again, this is a terrible idea. Also read my analysis of the Ion pistol first, found here: https://forums.dust514.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=138138]
}
else{
cry
}
*Armor Plates V (should be a priorety over maxing out your weapon's skills)
*Gallente Assault V should be a priorety over maxing out your weapon's skills)