As most things, it depends on re-loading to get good stats on it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Mine was good, and i had the Larian armor, but never up-graded it. I think, for the most part, they are equally as good.
To get the sheild, toss one of your teleporter stones past the guards and through the gates. Just make sure you don't get near the guard, otherwise he will prevent you from going in. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Hope this helps a wee bit.
Happy belated birthday! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/birthday.gif" alt="" />
