Do we need to build and pay for an item only once
It's true for weapons and armor not built at the Proving Grounds.
It's not true for utility items and weapon-attachments, and anything built at the Proving Grounds.
When you build an item in the Proving Ground, you only get 1 copy of it each time. So, for example, if you want to equip your entire squad with any of the following types of armors:
- Spider suit
- E.X.O. suit
- Wraith suit
- W.A.R. suit
then you'll need to build one for each soldier.
Weapon and class items built in engineering only need to be purchased once:
- Rifles (Specialists and Psi Operatives)
- Gremlins (Specialists)
- Psi Amps (Psi Operatives)
- Shotguns (Rangers)
- Swords (Rangers)
- Cannons (Grenadiers)
- Grenade Launchers (Grenadiers)
- Sniper rifles (Snipers)
- Pistols (Snipers)
Medium class armor can also be purchased once for your entire squad, unlike the light and heavy armors from the Proving Ground:
- Predator armor
- Warden armor
All other items built in engineering will only give you 1 new copy for each purchase.