We don't have the budget to give everyone Itshana Gauntlets. They'd cost 2 Ore 1 Crystal per fireteam, or 8/4 for a full squad.
Hmm.. I thought we had only one squad there. Looks like we've almost two.
But yeah, you're right, with addendums.
First off-
Last turnWe've got 8 ore to spend (of course we wouldn't want to spend it all, but let's talk broad strokes)
So, syntax issue, it'd be 2/1 for all fireteams in a squad, so both would be 4/2
Possibly more because of the "significant material issues", but a rifle is 3 ore and that seems like the only other immediately available problem solver.
But yes, unfortunately we'd only be able to outfit one squad with the Itshana gauntlets.
I feel like equipping fireteams could still significantly improve our speed capping the spire though.
The importance of this can't be overstated because we currently have no way to get them out of there, and until a spire is capped it contributes nothing to our cause but dead marines.
Edit:
1. Afaik, Barrel is on a cannon, Housing is on a glove. It's just crystals held on a glove with wire
2. Not sure silk is the only generator. Still have no idea if gauntlets are powered from "battery crystals" of some kind or take in aether from the atmosphere.
3. Yeah, the books have them burning the leather gauntlets they're wrapped around as a "first warning" of overheating. Not sure we even have the leather so very necessary, but I think everyone is addressing it.
Anyway. So like an aether rifle? It would be a long time to design which, above mentioned, means a lot more dead marines than we need.