Awesome post again VydarrTyr! I knew there was materia but I'm a ways off from understanding how it works. I have noticed a spirtbond meter on my equipment but I assumed it was just related to my character's ability to maximize the use of that equipment... clearly that was a stupid assumption as I now realize I didn't see any changes to my stats that would indicate so. Now I get it, thanks a lot for the thorough and detailed response. After just reading a couple of your posts I feel more informed than I did after playing for a couple weeks!