Is your point 1 saying you don't think I should lock at all? I'm not really a fan of leveling up slower but the way everyone talks on the boards it seemed mandatory to not get your butt kicked? FYI I will be soloing a lot unless I find some steady teamates that like to play from 9:30 pacific time on. I would actually love not to lock I just thought I was gonna get crushed for not doing so.
For point 2 is armorer a good choice then or should I do something else that could be useful and make money instead?