Spell and Pet Skins

aspergalas4

This topic comes up every now and again from what I've seen but will we ever be getting development to the collectible category with regards to the Warden Pet skin and skins for pets and spells in general? We have customisable action animations, it is now past the time for spells/pets to get some attention in this arena.

The Warden is a very niche class aesthetically within the Elder Scrolls universe as all its wildlife and flora are based around VVardenfell and its added overland content, despite being a nature focused class that would be far more apt both lorewise and within the more established overland content for the Breton/Bosmer aesthetic. It would seem appropriate to provide the means for Wardens to better define their class in conjunction with their racial choice and provide alternative animal companions and new forms of the existing spell set. So a Senche or Bristleback/Welwa instead of the bear for example, or an eagle or bat instead of the cliffracer. Nixad or butterfly for the netch etc.

The Sorcerer class, in a similar but not quite the same situation, desperately needs either the base game models for their summons updated or new skins released for a greater variety of Daedra whilst mechanically performing the same as to not affect game balance. Ideally both would be achieved here, but the winged twilight for example should have a Flame Atronach or dremora archer/mage option, Clannfear alternative skins as seen in game or a melee Dremora/Ruinach etc.

There is so much scope here I am unsure why it hasn't been implemented in some way already, would love to hear others thoughts and ideas. Would really flesh out existing content without adding too much that would affect gameplay.

LunaFlora

skins like a different fur colour for the bear would be awesome yes.
skins aren't different creatures though.

different creature summons would likely happen as apart of a new skill line

Danikat

aspergalas4 wrote: »

This topic comes up every now and again from what I've seen but will we ever be getting development to the collectible category with regards to the Warden Pet skin and skins for pets and spells in general?

As far as we know the answer is no. Or more precisely there has been no answer.

ZOS must know players have requested it repeatedly but apart from the grey bear that came with Morrowind there's been no mention of new skins or effects for any skills. As far as I know they haven't acknowledged any of the threads, even to say they can't/won't do it, but that's as good as saying no in this situation.

aspergalas4

LunaFlora wrote: »

skins like a different fur colour for the bear would be awesome yes.
skins aren't different creatures though.

different creature summons would likely happen as apart of a new skill line

I'd retort on the latter point that this is less likely because it would upset game balance and add needless complications when the change can be done cosmetically. Changing the bear to a Senche with the same attack speed and stats is literally just reskinning the pet to a different one in appearance whilst making sure the skill remains the same functionally. But I agree that different colours would be a good starting point, lot more potential beyond that though.

LunaFlora

that would be a different creature with a different skeleton and model, so not a reskin.

I'd like it sure but a new skill line for extra combat pets would be fun and if we dont get something new because of fear of upsetting game balance then we won't get anything new at all that affects combat.

Kendaric

Warden is in a weird spot anyway... the bear doesn't fit a Dunmer, while all of the other summons don't really fit anyone but Dunmer.

So, yeah.. I'd love to get other skins as options or even a new/alternate skill line.

Erickson9610

I hope that we eventually get skins and polymorphs for Werewolf Transformation and its morphs. The only way we can modify our appearance is by selecting a different morph (unmorphed for brown fur, Werewolf Berserker for black fur with white accents, Pack Leader for white fur) which means that your character's appearance is tied to the combat system, which isn't a great feature for a player vanity system.

There have been many proposals to allow Werewolf Transformation's fur color to change with a collectible like how the Warden's Slate-Gray Summoned Bear collectible changes the Feral Guardian fur color from brown to gray. The Warden bear uses glowing sigils or eyes to communicate the morph of the ability, so Werewolf Transformation could do something similar — give glowing eyes to Berserker, and Pack Leader already has the dire wolves.

There are many existing skins in-game to pick from, such as grey fur (used by NPCs), black fur with white accents, white fur, brown fur, solid black fur (used by some werewolves in Moon Hunter Keep), and of course all of the "undead" werewolf skins used by characters like Faolchu. Plus, polymorphs for Werewolf Transformation — such as the skeletal werewolf model used in Unhallowed Grave — would be incredible to have.

phaneub17_ESO

It was explained years ago that each creature type has their own attack animation timers, the Bear just a few years back had readjustments to their attack timing so their normal swing doesn't interfere with their swipe cooldown. Same thing with the Clannfear and its tail swipe. Switching to any different creature would have to redo their attack animation and timings just the same, so we most likely won't see them ever changing the ability to summon anything else.

LukosCreyden

Something like skill skins and animation replacers would sell ridiculously well. As such, we will likely not be getting them, because the monetization folk would've surely jumped right on the idea if it was possible to execute.
Basically, I do not think it is possible, or they would've already done it and monetized it.

Danikat

LunaFlora wrote: »

that would be a different creature with a different skeleton and model, so not a reskin.

I'd like it sure but a new skill line for extra combat pets would be fun and if we dont get something new because of fear of upsetting game balance then we won't get anything new at all that affects combat.

It's a reskin in terms of the skill. The mechanics would all still be the same - it would do the same damage in the same way, with the same cost, same delay as the animal reaches the target etc. etc.

The fact that it's a change of model and not just the skin is a distinction which really only matters to the artist making the change.

Amottica

Danikat wrote: »

aspergalas4 wrote: »

This topic comes up every now and again from what I've seen but will we ever be getting development to the collectible category with regards to the Warden Pet skin and skins for pets and spells in general?

As far as we know the answer is no. Or more precisely there has been no answer.

ZOS must know players have requested it repeatedly but apart from the grey bear that came with Morrowind there's been no mention of new skins or effects for any skills. As far as I know they haven't acknowledged any of the threads, even to say they can't/won't do it, but that's as good as saying no in this situation.

They have seen the threads and have likely even discussed it to a small degree.

The issue becomes that a skin that changes the type of creature would have to be very similar to the current creature since the attacks must be the same. If they are different attacks then it is a completely different creature and not a skin.

Since players have requested a number of different creatures that are very different than the current designs my guess, and only a guess, is that Zenimax has decided to move on from the topic. They likely see no reason to discuss it as it would be a pain to address every request players make and even when they do comment the requests still come up.

LunaFlora

Danikat wrote: »

LunaFlora wrote: »

that would be a different creature with a different skeleton and model, so not a reskin.

I'd like it sure but a new skill line for extra combat pets would be fun and if we dont get something new because of fear of upsetting game balance then we won't get anything new at all that affects combat.

It's a reskin in terms of the skill. The mechanics would all still be the same - it would do the same damage in the same way, with the same cost, same delay as the animal reaches the target etc. etc.

The fact that it's a change of model and not just the skin is a distinction which really only matters to the artist making the change.

it doesn't just matter to the artists.
it also matters to the people making the animations for skills as a different creature would use a different skeleton.
as far as i know only bears use the bear skeleton, so which creature would it be without changing the skeleton?

Kendaric

phaneub17_ESO wrote: »

It was explained years ago that each creature type has their own attack animation timers, the Bear just a few years back had readjustments to their attack timing so their normal swing doesn't interfere with their swipe cooldown. Same thing with the Clannfear and its tail swipe. Switching to any different creature would have to redo their attack animation and timings just the same, so we most likely won't see them ever changing the ability to summon anything else.

That would only apply to the bear and the sorceror pets though... skills like Dive and it's morphs shouldn't be affected by this. So getting a falcon, raven or bat instead of a cliff racer and a swarm of bats for the Fetcher flies should be possible and would already help to tie the warden skills together.
A few more skins for the bear would also be welcome, e.g. polar bear, black bear, vampire/undead bear, etc.

Basically anything to make our wardens more varied and less focused on Vvardenfell.

LunaFlora wrote: »

it doesn't just matter to the artists.
it also matters to the people making the animations for skills as a different creature would use a different skeleton.
as far as i know only bears use the bear skeleton, so which creature would it be without changing the skeleton?

That's a good question... it's possible that saber cats use the same skeleton/animations. But it's hard to judge without access to their models/animations.

TaSheen

LukosCreyden wrote: »

Something like skill skins and animation replacers would sell ridiculously well. As such, we will likely not be getting them, because the monetization folk would've surely jumped right on the idea if it was possible to execute.
Basically, I do not think it is possible, or they would've already done it and monetized it.

This is what I think too.

NotaDaedraWorshipper

LukosCreyden wrote: »

Something like skill skins and animation replacers would sell ridiculously well. As such, we will likely not be getting them, because the monetization folk would've surely jumped right on the idea if it was possible to execute.
Basically, I do not think it is possible, or they would've already done it and monetized it.

They could not add hip and crotch flaps constantly, yet they do that despite people would likely pay for them to stop.

We already have a skin for the warden bear, and have gotten no other one after that, so clearly re-colours are at least possible but we haven't gotten that.

They can give us "styles" that are invisible, but it took ages to get hide shoulder, and we have nothing more, despite they could easily monetise that.

The list goes on. There's a lot of things they definitely could do and monotise, but they haven't of some reason.

jtm1018

Pet skins, now that is an idea.
Bear mount skin that is also applicable to the warden bear.
Wolf mount skin that is also available to wolf backup when your in werewolf form.

Tyrant_Tim

Ability skins would be a great addition to the game as long as you can still identify the original skill.

AuroranGoldenEagle

Kendaric wrote: »

Warden is in a weird spot anyway... the bear doesn't fit a Dunmer, while all of the other summons don't really fit anyone but Dunmer.

So, yeah.. I'd love to get other skins as options or even a new/alternate skill line.

Yepp! That's why my Skaal Warden only uses the bear and BoP from the animal line

Nothing else fits hahah

aspergalas4

phaneub17_ESO wrote: »

It was explained years ago that each creature type has their own attack animation timers, the Bear just a few years back had readjustments to their attack timing so their normal swing doesn't interfere with their swipe cooldown. Same thing with the Clannfear and its tail swipe. Switching to any different creature would have to redo their attack animation and timings just the same, so we most likely won't see them ever changing the ability to summon anything else.

I disagree that changing the creature model makes this idea unfeasible. Just because an in game creature has a unique animation does not mean whatsoever that this current animation cannot be sped up or slowed down to match the current animal companion attacks speeds. You have said so yourself here that the speed was readjusted to suit the ability.

I personally think the only reason this hasn't been added yet is because ZOS clings to old gen console support. Which is the millstone around this games development as only a certain number of anims/assets can be loaded at a time from what I've gathered. This limit would vastly increase if development for the old gen console version of the game ceased. and focus was placed on next gen or just PC.

LunaFlora

aspergalas4 wrote: »

phaneub17_ESO wrote: »

It was explained years ago that each creature type has their own attack animation timers, the Bear just a few years back had readjustments to their attack timing so their normal swing doesn't interfere with their swipe cooldown. Same thing with the Clannfear and its tail swipe. Switching to any different creature would have to redo their attack animation and timings just the same, so we most likely won't see them ever changing the ability to summon anything else.

I disagree that changing the creature model makes this idea unfeasible. Just because an in game creature has a unique animation does not mean whatsoever that this current animation cannot be sped up or slowed down to match the current animal companion attacks speeds. You have said so yourself here that the speed was readjusted to suit the ability.

I personally think the only reason this hasn't been added yet is because ZOS clings to old gen console support. Which is the millstone around this games development as only a certain number of anims/assets can be loaded at a time from what I've gathered. This limit would vastly increase if development for the old gen console version of the game ceased. and focus was placed on next gen or just PC.

and if ps4 and xbox one were dropped thousands of people would not be able to keep playing.
i doubt zos would want to lose people due to that.

plus old pc hardware is also supported, not just last gen consoles.
if zos just focused on pc you'd still have old hardware supported.
and they'd lose a really really huge amount of people who play the game.

not everyone can afford the newest hardware or a new console.

it would be absurd for zos to drop consoles(new or old).

zaria

NotaDaedraWorshipper wrote: »

LukosCreyden wrote: »

Something like skill skins and animation replacers would sell ridiculously well. As such, we will likely not be getting them, because the monetization folk would've surely jumped right on the idea if it was possible to execute.
Basically, I do not think it is possible, or they would've already done it and monetized it.

They could not add hip and crotch flaps constantly, yet they do that despite people would likely pay for them to stop.

We already have a skin for the warden bear, and have gotten no other one after that, so clearly re-colours are at least possible but we haven't gotten that.

They can give us "styles" that are invisible, but it took ages to get hide shoulder, and we have nothing more, despite they could easily monetise that.

The list goes on. There's a lot of things they definitely could do and monotise, but they haven't of some reason.

Note that Khajiit and Argonians don't have back flaps since it clips with the tail.

aspergalas4

LunaFlora wrote: »

aspergalas4 wrote: »

phaneub17_ESO wrote: »

It was explained years ago that each creature type has their own attack animation timers, the Bear just a few years back had readjustments to their attack timing so their normal swing doesn't interfere with their swipe cooldown. Same thing with the Clannfear and its tail swipe. Switching to any different creature would have to redo their attack animation and timings just the same, so we most likely won't see them ever changing the ability to summon anything else.

I disagree that changing the creature model makes this idea unfeasible. Just because an in game creature has a unique animation does not mean whatsoever that this current animation cannot be sped up or slowed down to match the current animal companion attacks speeds. You have said so yourself here that the speed was readjusted to suit the ability.

I personally think the only reason this hasn't been added yet is because ZOS clings to old gen console support. Which is the millstone around this games development as only a certain number of anims/assets can be loaded at a time from what I've gathered. This limit would vastly increase if development for the old gen console version of the game ceased. and focus was placed on next gen or just PC.

and if ps4 and xbox one were dropped thousands of people would not be able to keep playing.
i doubt zos would want to lose people due to that.

plus old pc hardware is also supported, not just last gen consoles.
if zos just focused on pc you'd still have old hardware supported.
and they'd lose a really really huge amount of people who play the game.

not everyone can afford the newest hardware or a new console.

it would be absurd for zos to drop consoles(new or old).

It would be the right move long term for the longevity of the game, as it would allow the game to actually develop and introduce a lot more content and new systems that keeps it fresh and engaging to play. Rather than stagnant and monotonous as it has been in recent years at least gameplay wise.

LunaFlora

aspergalas4 wrote: »

LunaFlora wrote: »

aspergalas4 wrote: »

phaneub17_ESO wrote: »

It was explained years ago that each creature type has their own attack animation timers, the Bear just a few years back had readjustments to their attack timing so their normal swing doesn't interfere with their swipe cooldown. Same thing with the Clannfear and its tail swipe. Switching to any different creature would have to redo their attack animation and timings just the same, so we most likely won't see them ever changing the ability to summon anything else.

I disagree that changing the creature model makes this idea unfeasible. Just because an in game creature has a unique animation does not mean whatsoever that this current animation cannot be sped up or slowed down to match the current animal companion attacks speeds. You have said so yourself here that the speed was readjusted to suit the ability.

I personally think the only reason this hasn't been added yet is because ZOS clings to old gen console support. Which is the millstone around this games development as only a certain number of anims/assets can be loaded at a time from what I've gathered. This limit would vastly increase if development for the old gen console version of the game ceased. and focus was placed on next gen or just PC.

and if ps4 and xbox one were dropped thousands of people would not be able to keep playing.
i doubt zos would want to lose people due to that.

plus old pc hardware is also supported, not just last gen consoles.
if zos just focused on pc you'd still have old hardware supported.
and they'd lose a really really huge amount of people who play the game.

not everyone can afford the newest hardware or a new console.

it would be absurd for zos to drop consoles(new or old).

It would be the right move long term for the longevity of the game, as it would allow the game to actually develop and introduce a lot more content and new systems that keeps it fresh and engaging to play. Rather than stagnant and monotonous as it has been in recent years at least gameplay wise.

if you're talking about last gen consoles:
I'd like to still be able to play eso with my friends and my guilds.

if you're talking about only pc:
I'd like to be able to play eso.
and it would be absurd for zos to drop consoles

aspergalas4

LunaFlora wrote: »

aspergalas4 wrote: »

LunaFlora wrote: »

aspergalas4 wrote: »

phaneub17_ESO wrote: »

It was explained years ago that each creature type has their own attack animation timers, the Bear just a few years back had readjustments to their attack timing so their normal swing doesn't interfere with their swipe cooldown. Same thing with the Clannfear and its tail swipe. Switching to any different creature would have to redo their attack animation and timings just the same, so we most likely won't see them ever changing the ability to summon anything else.

I disagree that changing the creature model makes this idea unfeasible. Just because an in game creature has a unique animation does not mean whatsoever that this current animation cannot be sped up or slowed down to match the current animal companion attacks speeds. You have said so yourself here that the speed was readjusted to suit the ability.

I personally think the only reason this hasn't been added yet is because ZOS clings to old gen console support. Which is the millstone around this games development as only a certain number of anims/assets can be loaded at a time from what I've gathered. This limit would vastly increase if development for the old gen console version of the game ceased. and focus was placed on next gen or just PC.

and if ps4 and xbox one were dropped thousands of people would not be able to keep playing.
i doubt zos would want to lose people due to that.

plus old pc hardware is also supported, not just last gen consoles.
if zos just focused on pc you'd still have old hardware supported.
and they'd lose a really really huge amount of people who play the game.

not everyone can afford the newest hardware or a new console.

it would be absurd for zos to drop consoles(new or old).

It would be the right move long term for the longevity of the game, as it would allow the game to actually develop and introduce a lot more content and new systems that keeps it fresh and engaging to play. Rather than stagnant and monotonous as it has been in recent years at least gameplay wise.

if you're talking about last gen consoles:
I'd like to still be able to play eso with my friends and my guilds.

if you're talking about only pc:
I'd like to be able to play eso.
and it would be absurd for zos to drop consoles

What I said doesn't impact either. I simply believe development of the game for console should cease and the game remain as is there while PC and newer gen are given free reign to develop within the increased capabilities inherent to those systems. That way players on last gen can still enjoy the content up until the cut off with their friends and guilds, whilst allowing the game to actually go forward for everyone else.

LunaFlora

aspergalas4 wrote: »

LunaFlora wrote: »

aspergalas4 wrote: »

LunaFlora wrote: »

aspergalas4 wrote: »

phaneub17_ESO wrote: »

It was explained years ago that each creature type has their own attack animation timers, the Bear just a few years back had readjustments to their attack timing so their normal swing doesn't interfere with their swipe cooldown. Same thing with the Clannfear and its tail swipe. Switching to any different creature would have to redo their attack animation and timings just the same, so we most likely won't see them ever changing the ability to summon anything else.

I disagree that changing the creature model makes this idea unfeasible. Just because an in game creature has a unique animation does not mean whatsoever that this current animation cannot be sped up or slowed down to match the current animal companion attacks speeds. You have said so yourself here that the speed was readjusted to suit the ability.

I personally think the only reason this hasn't been added yet is because ZOS clings to old gen console support. Which is the millstone around this games development as only a certain number of anims/assets can be loaded at a time from what I've gathered. This limit would vastly increase if development for the old gen console version of the game ceased. and focus was placed on next gen or just PC.

and if ps4 and xbox one were dropped thousands of people would not be able to keep playing.
i doubt zos would want to lose people due to that.

plus old pc hardware is also supported, not just last gen consoles.
if zos just focused on pc you'd still have old hardware supported.
and they'd lose a really really huge amount of people who play the game.

not everyone can afford the newest hardware or a new console.

it would be absurd for zos to drop consoles(new or old).

It would be the right move long term for the longevity of the game, as it would allow the game to actually develop and introduce a lot more content and new systems that keeps it fresh and engaging to play. Rather than stagnant and monotonous as it has been in recent years at least gameplay wise.

if you're talking about last gen consoles:
I'd like to still be able to play eso with my friends and my guilds.

if you're talking about only pc:
I'd like to be able to play eso.
and it would be absurd for zos to drop consoles

What I said doesn't impact either. I simply believe development of the game for console should cease and the game remain as is there while PC and newer gen are given free reign to develop within the increased capabilities inherent to those systems. That way players on last gen can still enjoy the content up until the cut off with their friends and guilds, whilst allowing the game to actually go forward for everyone else.

so that would still exclude people.
thousands of people that paid to play eso that want to continue to actually play eso which includes future content.

it would be absurd for zos to cease development for consoles.
eso is a game for pc, xbox, and playstation.
accept that and keep it in mind when thinking about future content.

aspergalas4

Emotional based reasoning.

The fact there is still support for old gen consoles is why we got Tales of Tribute as a major Chapter feature and why we haven't had any new weapon types and other significant gameplay mechanics for years.

Accept that and keep it in mind when people want the game to have meaningful future content and not more of the same.

Mascen

Well idk about wardens but as a Magplar main, I would like a reskin of some of my abilities and not just the Nighthollow staff slapped onto a translucent effect.