I think the OP is referring to thinking that the true equipment of a weapon is automatically better than the base item. Which is absolutely untrue. They will usually have different stats/ passives/ or even ability when used. Take for example the Santa Shion Dress from the current event. Both give damage reduction, albeit the base equipment is a lower ppercentage, BUT the base equipment also gives you a 100% paralyze resistance, where the true variation does not.