I don't play Beta so don't have access to what's going on there regarding gear optimization, but I would like to ask a question and then express a concern.
Has any thought been given to having an initial cap or ceiling on optimizing items, say level 5?
This is a cap that can always be raised or even removed in future releases while minimizing it's initial impact on the game while it's reviewed and mearsured.
My concern is that without a cap/ceiling, with the supply of cash/nuggets required, ANY toon can turn a simple shop item into something that could/would create a measurable and clear imbalance in some dynamics of the game. I've heard of some left hands being optimized to level 9 so far, so I'm guessing there's not a cap/ceiling at least to level 10, even if there is one.
An example is a Modified Winchester (250-250 damage) at a price of $19,000 each in my Gunsmith. I can buy 200 of them at a cost of $3.8M without blinking an eye. Add in the cost of optimizing, not a sweat.
But the question to be posed is: do the Devs and Mod Team really want me running around with a 1000-1000 damage left hand at fort fights?
Better yet, as an advent, I'd loan it to a dueler and let him start handing out what, 3k-4k crits???
Wasn't Geronimo's shotgun removed from the game because of this measurable and clear imbalance?
I know optimization will be a level playing field dynamic of the game because each and every player will have equal access to exercise and benefit from it, and I'm looking forward to it.
But I'm suggesting/encouraging baby steps at a time until it's impact can be discerned and reviewed.
Don't put yourself in a position to have to take away a level 25 optimized left hand or dueling weapon.
Some might argue that such an optimizing venture is highly improbable because of the cost to get a piece of gear to that level. Ok, so it's highly improbable and expensive.
My argument is that if it's possible, it will be done, to what I believe, a detriment.