To #1, I for one base my gear on my exotics, and try to have well rounded stats. I need the New Monarchy helmet for when I run Heart of the Praxic Fire, so that my melee cool down is shorter, and grenade kills cool it even more. Different people play differently, and they want gear from the factions for either looks, or stats, or for their weapons. Your opinion on what gear is best for what mode only applies to you.