And what I'm saying is that it shouldn't be a three-way choice.  You should either pick the Hearthstone Bracers or the Skin-Mount.  Especially if you're going to be crafting the Silken Armor sometime along the way.  The Essence Armor is helpful, yes, but it's *draining* - 3 motes of Essence for every time it activates to defend you.  And given a Dragon-Blood's relatively small Essence pool, it's better suited for Celestials.  If you want defense, you're better off taking the Bracers, which will raise your Dodge DV by 1 or 2 (depending upon whether your dice pool is odd or even before you add the three die from the Bracers - for the +2 to DV, make the dodge die pool even - Exalts round up), doesn't cost Essence aside from attunement, and definitely doesn't have a Repair rating.<br/><br/><br/>And something to add to the discussion (which isn't too spoilerific): if anyone's considering buying the Arsenal background (which, given that this isn't a huge, war-themed game, I hope isn't happening), don't bother.  Once the PCs' group gets recognized as a legitimate Lookshy military unit (albeit a rather small one), you'll be given access to the Arsenal background, with upgrades to come with successful missions.