Thank you for the walkthrough and examples. If you eliminate over capping of DCI, you will always get Case #2. Player A will be superior to Player B, regarding HLD. It makes sense and should be that way. Player A refined his armor at the cost of an unknow value of resists. HLD will always have some effect. Please keep Case #2.
As it stands now, we have many Player Bs from Case #1. HLD has no effect on them. There should be no way to eliminate an ability, only ways to reduce its effects. Please get rid of Case #1.
Stayin Alive,
BG