Good post BA,
"Btw, there is a substantial difference between 400mg of Deca vs 400mg of Test vs 400mg of EQ. Deca is much stronger, and I wouldn't recommend more than 300mg."
This is very true, and what a lot of newbies confuse. Its IMPOSSIBLE to put exact dosages and compounds together for a first cycle, there are just to much criteria that go into determining this, like you say ... age, height, weight, training experince, bodyfat etc etc... Some people respond well to extra test in their bodies, while some dont at all. Some are gyno sesitive, some are not. Genetics really is key.
2 compounds that probably need mentioning for the newbie IMO are dbol and EQ.
Dbol is one compound that I think can be run at a low dose and almost EVERYONE should gain from it. There is no need for a newbie to be taking 40-50mgs of dbol for 4-5 weeks for a kickstart. That is just asking for trouble. 20-25mgs really should suffice for most (again this depends on size, weight, etc etc...). This is potent stuff, and mg for mg, the strongest steroid on the planet, and is so anti-catabolic, thats why everyone gains off of it. Lets say you ran dbol at 30mgs/day. This is only 210mgs/wk. What other compound would come close to the gains you would make with the same dosage? I cant think of anything ... Deca would probably be the closest.
Now EQ. I think that this is the one steroid that a newbie could run at a high dose and have no problems with. This is probably the number one drug that is underdosed. I think that a newbie would have no problems at all running this at 750/wk, where other compounds at this dosage could cause some problems. There are some really goos points in your first post.
Mavy