IDEA: Optional ability/spell color variations

farorae

I had an idea the other day that I thought might be cool, so I figured I'd post it. But before I say anything, this is just an idea, nothing concrete and I'm not sure if this has been posted before.
I think it would be cool if we could unlock different colors for our class spells/abilities based on if you have a stamina or magicka morph. An example from another MMO would be in WoW where Warlocks can unlock the ability to have their fire spells become green fel-fire as opposed to regular fire.

(All of this would obviously be optional/toggle-able and would not work with every single ability)
For example:

Dragon knight:
-Magicka: fire abilities now appear as blue fire.
-Stamina: poison abilities could appear purple

Nightblade abilities:
-Magicka: black color
-Stamina: blue color

Templar:
-Magicka: while color on light-based abilities
-Stamina: maybe more orange colored on light-based abilities.

Necromancer:
-Magicka: purple rather than blue. (different color purple than DK stamina)

Warden:
-Magicka: white ice abilities

Sorcerer:
-Magicka:

I haven't thought out all of the colors for each morph just yet, but I just thought this idea might be interesting and I wanted to see community feedback on the ideas. I suppose these variations could be unlocked through achievements or even some sort of recipe/motif you could make. Or they could just be available from the get-go.

Some issues I could foresee from this:
-Difficulty distinguishing what ability your opponent/teammate is using due to the new colors (which is why I only suggested 1 new color for each class/specialization)
-Lore issues (maybe?)

Anyways, please leave any suggestions and feedback

idk

My first thought is a solid no and I have solid reasons why.

First, this is more load on the server as it is more information that has to be transmitted from every player to every player within sight of them. It is not a calculation but it is still something the server much check then send out the related information. In PvP, that information really adds up making this an extremely bad idea to consider.

Second, it does not really add anything of value to the game.

Royaji

So now you want them to come and take the last bastion of class identity we have left, our spell colours. And then we will officially have nothing. What a sad day this will be.

farorae

idk wrote: »

My first thought is a solid no and I have solid reasons why.

First, this is more load on the server as it is more information that has to be transmitted from every player to every player within sight of them. It is not a calculation but it is still something the server much check then send out the related information. In PvP, that information really adds up making this an extremely bad idea to consider.

Second, it does not really add anything of value to the game.

Hmm I hadn’t really thought of that server issue. I agree with you on that point.
However, I can’t agree with it adding nothing of value. I further think character options/customization definitely adds value and flavor to the game.

Royaji wrote: »

So now you want them to come and take the last bastion of class identity we have left, our spell colours. And then we will officially have nothing. What a sad day this will be.

I think this is simply an exaggeration. Not to mention, I specifically said this was an IDEA.
Furthermore, the class colors ideally wouldn’t overlap.

idk

farorae wrote: »

idk wrote: »

My first thought is a solid no and I have solid reasons why.

First, this is more load on the server as it is more information that has to be transmitted from every player to every player within sight of them. It is not a calculation but it is still something the server much check then send out the related information. In PvP, that information really adds up making this an extremely bad idea to consider.

Second, it does not really add anything of value to the game.

Hmm I hadn’t really thought of that server issue. I agree with you on that point.
However, I can’t agree with it adding nothing of value. I further think character options/customization definitely adds value and flavor to the game.

Meh. Extremely small value. Zos looks at effort, value and if they feel it fits with the game. So the low value this provides is not helpful.

Further, and more importantly, Royaji is correct. Zos has specifically spoken to this when they added the warden. They explain the color of the skills, that greenish color, was part of its identity.

They are not exaggerating.

farorae

idk wrote: »

farorae wrote: »

idk wrote: »

My first thought is a solid no and I have solid reasons why.

First, this is more load on the server as it is more information that has to be transmitted from every player to every player within sight of them. It is not a calculation but it is still something the server much check then send out the related information. In PvP, that information really adds up making this an extremely bad idea to consider.

Second, it does not really add anything of value to the game.

Hmm I hadn’t really thought of that server issue. I agree with you on that point.
However, I can’t agree with it adding nothing of value. I further think character options/customization definitely adds value and flavor to the game.

Meh. Extremely small value. Zos looks at effort, value and if they feel it fits with the game. So the low value this provides is not helpful.

Further, and more importantly, Royaji is correct. Zos has specifically spoken to this when they added the warden. They explain the color of the skills, that greenish color, was part of its identity.

They are not exaggerating.

Gonna have to agree to disagree I suppose.

Saying that colors are related to class identity wasn’t what I was referring to when I said it was being exaggerated. I was referring to it being “the last bastion of class identity”.

idk

farorae wrote: »

idk wrote: »

farorae wrote: »

idk wrote: »

My first thought is a solid no and I have solid reasons why.

First, this is more load on the server as it is more information that has to be transmitted from every player to every player within sight of them. It is not a calculation but it is still something the server much check then send out the related information. In PvP, that information really adds up making this an extremely bad idea to consider.

Second, it does not really add anything of value to the game.

Hmm I hadn’t really thought of that server issue. I agree with you on that point.
However, I can’t agree with it adding nothing of value. I further think character options/customization definitely adds value and flavor to the game.

Meh. Extremely small value. Zos looks at effort, value and if they feel it fits with the game. So the low value this provides is not helpful.

Further, and more importantly, Royaji is correct. Zos has specifically spoken to this when they added the warden. They explain the color of the skills, that greenish color, was part of its identity.

They are not exaggerating.

Gonna have to agree to disagree I suppose.

Saying that colors are related to class identity wasn’t what I was referring to when I said it was being exaggerated. I was referring to it being “the last bastion of class identity”.

I have no issues with you disagreeing because I pretty much stated a fact.

Their comment about the "last bastion of class identity was pretty much because there is little class identity right now and Zos has acknowledged that as well. You should read and watch more of what Zos has to say.

TheShadowScout

farorae wrote: »

I think it would be cool if we could unlock different colors for our class spells/abilities based on if you have a stamina or magicka morph...

I had that idea a while ago, but added to my idea of actually "morphing" your class into a "specialized" class whle gaining a fourth skill line...
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/492733/class-specialization-idea/p1

Of course, IF that sort of thing was made, then it needs to hinge on -one- easily checked variable. Not per skill, but... in general for that character. Which could be done I guess... they could for example add a "spellpower source" like personalities, that changes your classes "usual" color scheme... but the question would be, how far?

Adding a second color/effect, like making your templars "golden light" spells be golden with green motes or golden with red flames or golden with white sparks? Or the nightblades reddish stuff to reddish with purple sparks or reddish with black mist or reddish with blue motes across all abilities? Sure, I can see that. It would be just another customization, much like coloring your armor or having a personality active...

Changing another classes abilities entirely to necromancer cyan? Don't really seems very good a option, considering that some people would feel vexed about looking the, what was it? "Last bastion of class identity?" So, err, "nope" on that one. Not even an option lover like me would want that!

farorae

Yeah I agree maybe it isn’t the best idea, but I thought it would at least be something interesting to discuss. But I can see the response is overwhelmingly negative, so I know where at least some of the community stands on this idea.

TheShadowScout wrote: »

I had that idea a while ago, but added to my idea of actually "morphing" your class into a "specialized" class whle gaining a fourth skill line...
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/492733/class-specialization-idea/p1

Of course, IF that sort of thing was made, then it needs to hinge on -one- easily checked variable. Not per skill, but... in general for that character. Which could be done I guess... they could for example add a "spellpower source" like personalities, that changes your classes "usual" color scheme... but the question would be, how far?

Adding a second color/effect, like making your templars "golden light" spells be golden with green motes or golden with red flames or golden with white sparks? Or the nightblades reddish stuff to reddish with purple sparks or reddish with black mist or reddish with blue motes across all abilities? Sure, I can see that. It would be just another customization, much like coloring your armor or having a personality active...

Changing another classes abilities entirely to necromancer cyan? Don't really seems very good a option, considering that some people would feel vexed about looking the, what was it? "Last bastion of class identity?" So, err, "nope" on that one. Not even an option lover like me would want that!

I like the alternative you suggested. That might be a better idea if anything.

In regards to “changing classes abilities to necromancer cyan”, I never advocated for that. In fact, the additional colors added should be unique to their specific class. Perhaps I should have made that clearer in the OP.

idk wrote: »

farorae wrote: »

idk wrote: »

farorae wrote: »

idk wrote: »

My first thought is a solid no and I have solid reasons why.

First, this is more load on the server as it is more information that has to be transmitted from every player to every player within sight of them. It is not a calculation but it is still something the server much check then send out the related information. In PvP, that information really adds up making this an extremely bad idea to consider.

Second, it does not really add anything of value to the game.

Hmm I hadn’t really thought of that server issue. I agree with you on that point.
However, I can’t agree with it adding nothing of value. I further think character options/customization definitely adds value and flavor to the game.

Meh. Extremely small value. Zos looks at effort, value and if they feel it fits with the game. So the low value this provides is not helpful.

Further, and more importantly, Royaji is correct. Zos has specifically spoken to this when they added the warden. They explain the color of the skills, that greenish color, was part of its identity.

They are not exaggerating.

Gonna have to agree to disagree I suppose.

Saying that colors are related to class identity wasn’t what I was referring to when I said it was being exaggerated. I was referring to it being “the last bastion of class identity”.

I have no issues with you disagreeing because I pretty much stated a fact.

Their comment about the "last bastion of class identity was pretty much because there is little class identity right now and Zos has acknowledged that as well. You should read and watch more of what Zos has to say.

Personally, I think the class identity issue has more to do with weapon abilities and the homogenization of certain abilities/playstyles. But I could be wrong.

ArchangelIsraphel

All I can say is that I'd actually play a dragon night if I could turn the skill colors purple, gives me an idea for a new character. But unfortunately, it probably wont happen, even if it would be quite a lot of fun.

idk

farorae wrote: »

Yeah I agree maybe it isn’t the best idea, but I thought it would at least be something interesting to discuss. But I can see the response is overwhelmingly negative, so I know where at least some of the community stands on this idea.

TheShadowScout wrote: »

I had that idea a while ago, but added to my idea of actually "morphing" your class into a "specialized" class whle gaining a fourth skill line...
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/492733/class-specialization-idea/p1

Of course, IF that sort of thing was made, then it needs to hinge on -one- easily checked variable. Not per skill, but... in general for that character. Which could be done I guess... they could for example add a "spellpower source" like personalities, that changes your classes "usual" color scheme... but the question would be, how far?

Adding a second color/effect, like making your templars "golden light" spells be golden with green motes or golden with red flames or golden with white sparks? Or the nightblades reddish stuff to reddish with purple sparks or reddish with black mist or reddish with blue motes across all abilities? Sure, I can see that. It would be just another customization, much like coloring your armor or having a personality active...

Changing another classes abilities entirely to necromancer cyan? Don't really seems very good a option, considering that some people would feel vexed about looking the, what was it? "Last bastion of class identity?" So, err, "nope" on that one. Not even an option lover like me would want that!

I like the alternative you suggested. That might be a better idea if anything.

In regards to “changing classes abilities to necromancer cyan”, I never advocated for that. In fact, the additional colors added should be unique to their specific class. Perhaps I should have made that clearer in the OP.

idk wrote: »

farorae wrote: »

idk wrote: »

farorae wrote: »

idk wrote: »

My first thought is a solid no and I have solid reasons why.

First, this is more load on the server as it is more information that has to be transmitted from every player to every player within sight of them. It is not a calculation but it is still something the server much check then send out the related information. In PvP, that information really adds up making this an extremely bad idea to consider.

Second, it does not really add anything of value to the game.

Hmm I hadn’t really thought of that server issue. I agree with you on that point.
However, I can’t agree with it adding nothing of value. I further think character options/customization definitely adds value and flavor to the game.

Meh. Extremely small value. Zos looks at effort, value and if they feel it fits with the game. So the low value this provides is not helpful.

Further, and more importantly, Royaji is correct. Zos has specifically spoken to this when they added the warden. They explain the color of the skills, that greenish color, was part of its identity.

They are not exaggerating.

Gonna have to agree to disagree I suppose.

Saying that colors are related to class identity wasn’t what I was referring to when I said it was being exaggerated. I was referring to it being “the last bastion of class identity”.

I have no issues with you disagreeing because I pretty much stated a fact.

Their comment about the "last bastion of class identity was pretty much because there is little class identity right now and Zos has acknowledged that as well. You should read and watch more of what Zos has to say.

Personally, I think the class identity issue has more to do with weapon abilities and the homogenization of certain abilities/playstyles. But I could be wrong.

And you are entitled to your opinion. However, Zos has specifically stated that color plays a role when they discussed the Warden. Their opinion on this matter is actual fact.

luen79rwb17_ESO

We will probably see another shade of color for camel mounts before this because it's simply easier and probably more profitable per hour spent on development.

navystylz_ESO

I loved this in City of Heroes. It let you bring together your thrown together skill sets into a cohesive whole. I feel game liks this suffer from that. Oh, look, let's throw a bunch of random skill lines together that feel all out of place!

Thank god my main Vampire Magblade thematically fits as a Vampire blood sorcerer, and Necromancers are pretty self contained skill wise. So I'm not bothered we can't pimp our FX.

Sylvermynx

My one regret in my gaming life is somehow missing out on CoH. *sigh*