The red scrips buyable set/tools from NPC is i180 with no materia slots, but you can craft the same sets (they are locked behind master books) and tools that are i170 with materia slots. Most of the mats required to make these are tradeable/can be sold on MB so technically you could collect all the sets without touching the red scrips if you had the gil to buy the mats off the MB and geared enough to craft so there are two avenues to get this gear. You would have to meld the crafted set but it has no time gate except having the materials and appropriate stats.
These crafted sets and tools are also tradeable unlike the red scrip gear.
The prices of these mats are another story.
Having to meld that many sets is kinda gross but what can you do.
