GEAR:
Each preset character prefers using one item from each of these seven categories and won't equip anything else. Randomized, rescuable characters who stay in yr party until you get them to a safehouse choose a random entry from each, and then stash whatever gear they had in the safehouse's wardrobe.

Gotta work out some sillier eq types for the rescuable characters to care about, so that not every item you receive by finding them is all that pertinent... =P