I think it would be a good idea if the was a trade skill or repair skill to reuce the cost of upkeeping armour. This way players could put points into it and reduce cost but in return would have less point to spend on other skills like powerstrike. The repair skill could be tied strength or agility or both. The repair skill would reduce upkeep maybe 8-10% per lvl of repair. I think this would solve some problems allowing players to sacrifice skill points for less upkeep and therefore better equipment.