Etchesketch wrote: »

Let's say you research adds armor to something. You go to make the item and it says adds 4%. Is there a way to improve this? Does it level or does it have anything to do with the starting item?

Say you have two with the trait but one is better... Is there a reason to research the higher level one?

I think it increases based on the quality of the item.

That's my understanding... so I have some white-quality weapons and armor with Traits to be researched in my bank (or on alts)... and when I get a green-quality weapon/armor with the same Trait, I go ahead and deconstruct the green-quality item and keep the white-quality for Research.

I believe that, as noted, when you upgrade your Trait-carrying item from white to green and then from green to blue you should see that % increase.