Just remember, it's better to be thought an idiot than open your mouth and prove it. Sure it worked for some people but I have been getting faction items and I haven't been to the crucible in a month of sundays. 1.The vanguard armor is easier to get if your not going into the crucible 2.once you have most of the raid gear (and exotic helm) your sack the armor anyways then start doing the hard raid for THAT helm 3.you can just gain faction rep after that without going into the crucible AND you get weapons that they don't even sell. Sorry but it IS a useless system, the vanguard armor is better because it's all you need to hit 29 (exotic helms are just as easy to get from Xûr) and right after you hit level 3 with the vanguard you grab one of your factions bonds and just level that up and you can get weapons like the "purifier VII" fusion rifle or the "prudence II" sniper rifle (new monarchy btw) since you don't need van marks for the factions you can save that up pretty easily.