Honestly, I think the OP proved they aren't exclusive. I have a script that attempts to reduce mana cost without wasting MP by losing MP just from switching gear. It uses a series of checks against cli_execute("speculate") to make sure the new max MP isn't less than the current MP I have. For example, if I have 1000 MP and swapping out an item would drop me to 400 MP, then it doesn't change it.
From what the OP is describing, step 3.5 is "switch equipment back" which causes a changes in max MP values, which can lower MP below max MP. Shouldn't 3.5 be at 2.5 or does mafia do it differently? wrldwzrd89! Can you post a snippet of your log that shows this happening?
equip pants Travoltan trousers
buy 22 magical mystery juice at market price from Gouda's Grimoire and Grocery
You acquire magical mystery juice (22)
You spent 2,090 Meat
equip pants Hodgman's lobsterskin pants
use 22 magical mystery juice
You gain 796 Mana Points
equip pants Travoltan trousers
buy 1 magical mystery juice at market price from Gouda's Grimoire and Grocery
You acquire an item: magical mystery juice
You spent 95 Meat
equip pants Hodgman's lobsterskin pants
use 1 magical mystery juice
You gain 35 Mana Points
equip pants Travoltan trousers
buy 16 black cherry soda at market price from Black Market
You acquire black cherry soda (16)
You spent 1,216 Meat
equip pants Hodgman's lobsterskin pants
use 16 black cherry soda
You gain 161 Mana Points
equip pants Travoltan trousers
buy 4 black cherry soda at market price from Black Market
You acquire black cherry soda (4)
You spent 304 Meat
equip pants Hodgman's lobsterskin pants
use 4 black cherry soda
You gain 41 Mana Points
outfit Knob Goblin Elite Guard Uniform
buy 16 Knob Goblin seltzer at market price from Knob Goblin Laboratory
You acquire Knob Goblin seltzer (16)
You spent 1,280 Meat
custom outfit Backup
use 16 Knob Goblin seltzer
You gain 166 Mana Points
outfit Knob Goblin Elite Guard Uniform
buy 3 Knob Goblin seltzer at market price from Knob Goblin Laboratory
You acquire Knob Goblin seltzer (3)
You spent 240 Meat
custom outfit Backup
use 3 Knob Goblin seltzer
You gain 33 Mana Points
equip pants Travoltan trousers
buy 42 soda water at market price from Market Demon
You acquire soda water (42)
You spent 2,772 Meat
equip pants Hodgman's lobsterskin pants
use 42 soda water
You gain 178 Mana Points
equip pants Travoltan trousers
buy 6 soda water at market price from Market Demon
You acquire soda water (6)
You spent 396 Meat
equip pants Hodgman's lobsterskin pants
use 6 soda water
You gain 26 Mana Points
equip pants Travoltan trousers
buy 5 magical mystery juice at market price from Gouda's Grimoire and Grocery
You acquire magical mystery juice (5)
You spent 475 Meat
equip pants Hodgman's lobsterskin pants
use 5 magical mystery juice
You gain 180 Mana Points
equip pants Travoltan trousers
buy 1 magical mystery juice at market price from Gouda's Grimoire and Grocery
You acquire an item: magical mystery juice
You spent 95 Meat
equip pants Hodgman's lobsterskin pants
use 1 magical mystery juice
You gain 37 Mana Points
equip pants Travoltan trousers
buy 16 black cherry soda at market price from Black Market
You acquire black cherry soda (16)
You spent 1,216 Meat
equip pants Hodgman's lobsterskin pants
use 16 black cherry soda
You gain 160 Mana Points
equip pants Travoltan trousers
buy 4 black cherry soda at market price from Black Market
You acquire black cherry soda (4)
You spent 304 Meat
equip pants Hodgman's lobsterskin pants
use 4 black cherry soda
... (more logs omitted)