Saying the RoE armor is terrible compared to the 5/5 skirmish +2 (whatever that may be. I have never touched SoA except to unlock the two jobs) is a little unfair.

I'm assuming the best of the best SoA gear takes a good while, and/or loads of gil to obtain. Buying upgrade items etc.

Whereas the RoE gear takes an hour or so to get a full set of any of the 4 sets available. Solo. Whilst doing other stuff.