This is the explanation I have seen before, and I see no reason it doesnt apply to all equipment.

I suspect that it does but I can't be certain. The problem is that a piece of Special Equipment may, for example, require a material, a piece of equipment requiring two materials, and 2 pieces of equipment requiring 4 materials, and Shaman's equipment is similar. So you are not combining 4 like things.

Having said that, the calculation doesn't seem to be needed much there. It is extremely unusual to see anyone with Special or Shaman equipment that is not legendary because it is simply not worth the gamble when you have to go to the trouble of getting all the items together in the first place.

I've always wondered how they calculate what chance you have of getting a certain level of equipment. Nice work.

I'm also of the opinion that I don't like taking the 60/40 or 43/57 chances on getting legendary equipment, especially when you're dealing with Shaman gear. I've done it before with mixed results, but not anymore. Way too much time and effort getting enough of the right pieces to leave it to a roll of the dice.

I would tend to agree, yet if you look at many players you will find pieces of mixed quality.

Maybe theres a sound reason, or maybe they just dont care about having to upgrade and loose material, because in the mean time there are bonuses to be had.

Which is more effective and which is most efficent ?

I think that it's a combination of things that gives mixed equipment with perhaps money being the most important. If you have enough money you can make anything.

As for effectiveness and efficiency, it comes down to which items you make and how you play. I remember reading long ago that epic building gear was OK but you should go for legendary knowledge gear because there is a lot more learning than building. That made sense to me but it doesn't seem as clear cut for other equipment.

As I played I tried to make useful Rare equipment and gambled sometimes. Now I have made some legendary equipment and I don't gamble.

My aim is to get perhaps a dozen pieces of legendary equipment that suit the way I play and perhaps a few pieces of useful invader equipment which will be as good as I can make them so I may gamble there.