Maker - Alchemy Skill FAQ and Walkthrough

Keep in mind that when you are forging, there is a chance for some variability. For example, when you forge an overall, with no stimulator or crystal, it could still have a stat that is below average.

I don't think this is true or no one would use stims in the first place. All other forgings give average [the main ones like el nath, ludi, etc]. The only one that doesn't is the maple admin with weapons.

But it doesn't make sense for stats to change on it's own. Stims would lose all purpose.