Materia

[Naberrie]

I was just trying to give a simplified example. I prefer not to throw too much information at someone at once. Information tends to bleed together and get lost.

[Sisqi]

I think I get it. The restrictions are more driven by what attributes/stats are already on the item, rather than the straight ilvl. Thank you for the advice!

[Urthdigger]

I think I get it. The restrictions are more driven by what attributes/stats are already on the item, rather than the straight ilvl. Thank you for the advice!

Well, yes and no. The restrictions are based on ilvl and the slot, but this restriction includes stats already on the item. Take the Spinel Ring. From the stats on the HQ, it would appear that the dexterity maximum for level 49 rings is +6. If you pick up a normal quality spinel ring, with +5 dexterity, you can only add +1 from materia to hit the cap of +6. Or you could grab a Rubellite Ring, which is also a level 49 ring but with no dexterity, and add +6 via materia so it has the same as a HQ Spinel Ring.

It should be noted that equipment that takes up multiple slots, like cowls, heavy armor, and flanchards, have the stat caps of BOTH slots combined.