To be honest, Work whats best for you. Defenses really don't matter in the long run, because of the three main types of damage coming out. There are rarely staus, unless there are bombers, or you run into one of the traps. Its more common focusing on damage output, thus why Skolver (dubbed as clones) are so common in lockdown. Speed and damage, with considerable agility (abillity to dodge and evade) is my recommendation. Agility comes with practice.

I do not understand your question. According to the wiki, there is no current 2 star salamander suit, as it starts at 3 star. The only thing that closely resembles it is the spiral scale mail, which is one star.

Yes I read that post. Here are my thoughts: All weapons 4 star and up automatically bind upon acquiring in craft, due to the fact you need to equip while heating it, thus binding it. Merely unequipping it from your arsenal does not unbind it. Since you state you have it at lvl. 10, thus you have had it equipped to gain heat, thus its bound. Any item that has heat, has been equipped, is bound, and cannot be unbound except through vise in the bazaar. but you lose all heat doing so.