I have increased armor when using night stalker, and when used in conjunction with the Boolean Gemini armor perk, it's noticeable. Without Boolean Gemini I don't see much difference. So maybe that's just Boolean Gemini. I don't think it's a make or break perk. Hand cannon ammo is better since ammo reserves are lower in TTK.

So I've started hoarding good looking armor sets for my hunter, ones with good rolls for perks and stats.

Some are going to be more useful than others. I want hand cannon ammo, but the only one I've gotten that with has arc burn defense and arc armor. Ideally, I'd want solar armor because gunslinger.

I do the same thing. I probably spend too much time and effort perfecting my builds, but that's what I enjoy doing with games like this. I've always had different armor sets for each subclass, for different stats/perks, and later I even went as far as color-coordinating their shaders and sparrows.

I was extremely happy tonight when I was able to buy a chest piece to complete my Stormcaller build. 4 tiers on Int, 3 on Str (very nearly at 4, I think I can get there just through infusing what I already have), and all the elemental perks are Arc-based. Plus I've got a helmet with electric visual effects on it which goes PERFECTLY with The Impossible Machines. I look like I'm in Stormtrance all the time. :) Color scheme is mostly black, plus the blue electric effects on the armor, which goes great with the Ravensteel sparrow! That makes 2 subclasses so far that I have what I consider to be an "ideal" build (Nightstalker being the other one). Just 7 more to go!

I don't -think- its possible to get the "perfect" roll, but I can certainly try.

Oh, it's definitely possible. You're probably doing this already, but check the tower vendors. They probably won't have every piece you need, but if they have even a few, you're a lot closer than before. But, it's probably good advice to wait as long as you can before buying them. Sometimes the perfect piece falls into your lap on its own.