Would this work? (Learning sets)

Logan9a

Each character point you spend (1-3) allows you to learn say three different set bonuses.
Each character point you spend allows you to learn a new set bonus - it works the same as learning traits.

After looking at the new armor set bonuses ( http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/118944/1-3-0-armor-and-weapon-sets/p1 ) it seems that all armor will have four different possible bonuses - two piece, three piece, four piece and five piece. This means there are four different things for the smith to learn.

Time to learn the set bonuses:

Two piece bonus = 4 days
Three piece bonus = 8 days
Four piece bonus = 16 days
Five piece bonus = 32 days

To be able to learn this bonus, the smith/tailor/wood crafter would need to get the original piece of armor and learn the bonus from it, destroying the piece of armor in the process. In other words, it would work exactly as learning traits does.

A benefit to this would be a large market would open up for the armor.

Special forges or materials to make the various sets could be required as well.

The crafter could then make sets of armor which are currently drop only IF they can obtain armor pieces to strip the set bonuses from.

Constructive criticism welcomed.

poodlemasterb16_ESO

Cue howls of rage from the trial guys.

Logan9a

Well, unless one of them was a smith (for example) or sold it to a smith, they wouldn't be out in the market. Even if they finished up with the trials and gave the smith a full suit and said "Knock yourself out", it would then take the smith 4+8+16+32 (ie about two months) before the smith could sell armor with the set bonuses.

Elitism aside.

DeLindsay

The problem is ZoS chose the Crafting system the way it is now including BoE Motif drops, Research timers, etc. Even though I think it makes more sense that you learn a thing from deconstructing it (reverse engineering) our current system would be hard to completely change up without serious backlash from the current crafting community. I say that as a player from 5-day early access who is already done with all WW trait Research, and I have something like 11 more 8-traits either done or going right now.

Also keep in mind ZoS is adding a 9th trait soon so that's another 68 days per item (unmodified) or Research. They're also adding more Motifs, eventually. It's unclear if the Motifs will come with the incoming Glass, Dwemer, Imperial Daedric Armor and the likes or not.

Logan9a

The system proposed would be an 'in addition to currently existing'. It could even be something that opens up at (craft) level 50.