| IDEA | How to properly implement a Gear Style Change system.

MaKTaiL · October 2016

OK, many of us at some point wanted to change their gear style to something new without having to re-craft everything again. Or maybe the style of the gear you dropped is not good but you need to use it so you are stuck with that awful design forever (Briarheart, I'm talking to you). So I had an idea to properly implement a system that allows us to change the style to any we want without being too easy.

1- There would be a new section on the crafting menus called “Change Style” (or “Reforge”).
2- You must have completely mastered the style you want to morph your gear into, so you would have to learn all pages of said style before using it on the forge. (I'm thinking like ZoS would think. I know they like to make things hard for us so having to master the style is probably something they would do).
3- Changing styles would require a certain amount of the style shards (5 for example) and 50 mats of the corresponding level.

So here is an example. Let's say I'm using a daedric style Night's Mother gear I crafted a long time ago. Let's say I want all my gear to be of Glass type. First I would need to learn all Glass pages to have access to this style on my "Change Style" menu on the forge. Then 10 items in total would need to be morphed (all gear and weapons). That would require me to consume 50 glass shards and 500 mats in total to change everything. Of course, the amount of materials required can change, I'm just giving an example.

This system IMO would be fair enough for all parties. It would be fairly easy to change styles yet it would not be a very common practice since it would consume materials to do it. What do you guys think? Feel free to give more ideas

EDIT

A friend of mine also suggested that we could also change a gear trait by consuming 100 shards of the desired trait. So the name "Reforge" would be better suited for the new section.

Arora · October 2016

I agree, that this should be done you can even use the existing dye table to do it

WhiteMage · October 2016

Oh, it's not fairness that's stopping them from doing this; it's the sheer number of coding hours it would take to implement due to how the code is currently written.

MaKTaiL · October 2016

WhiteMage wrote: »

Oh, it's not fairness that's stopping them from doing this; it's the sheer number of coding hours it would take to implement due to how the code is currently written.

I would say it is a lot easier that removing vet ranks and making One Tamriel a thing. My idea would be a walk in the park for them compared.

WhiteMage · October 2016

You can't really make that assumption, but even if it were true, One Tamriel can be justified as an entire update. They can look back at the time spent and say "Yeah, that was a good idea. I'm glad we did that." But an entire update just for this?

They could slowly put in the hours over a long period of time, of course (depending on the code), and release it a number of updates in the future, but at the moment the time it would take makes it a low priority despite its popularity.

MaKTaiL · October 2016

WhiteMage wrote: »

You can't really make that assumption, but even if it were true, One Tamriel can be justified as an entire update. They can look back at the time spent and say "Yeah, that was a good idea. I'm glad we did that." But an entire update just for this?

They could slowly put in the hours over a long period of time, of course (depending on the code), and release it a number of updates in the future, but at the moment the time it would take makes it a low priority despite its popularity.

I never said I wanted them to make an entire update just for this. They released costume dyeing with Dark Brotherhood for example. They can just roll it with a new DLC down the line. Also, this thread is not meant to discuss how hard it is for them to implement a feature (we can never know for sure). Just try to enjoy the idea for once instead of shutting it down because you THINK ZoS will never implement it. A few months ago Housing and Dueling were far away dreams. Always believe

Integral1900 · October 2016

This is by far the best idea yet, it would be perfect, I'd even be happy if the made it a dlc and shoved it in the crown store

WhiteMage · October 2016

The only thing we can say is it would take them a long time to do, and as such it is a low priority. I'd like it. You'd like it. Many of us would like it, but it's popularity is outweighed but the man-hours it would cost (from what I understand) which is compounded by it being merely a cosmetic feature.

MaKTaiL · October 2016

Integral1900 wrote: »

This is by far the best idea yet, it would be perfect, I'd even be happy if the made it a dlc and shoved it in the crown store

I don't think people would be happy about that. Hahaha.

MaKTaiL · October 2016

Bump.

ShadowscaleSithis · October 2016

Two things;

1 - No I should not have to master the desired style to be able to reforge something!! Some of us have our crafters on different toons due to lack of skill points in the beginning and lack of time to dedicate to learn crafting on all of our toons. Right after beta I made a main and 3 crafters so I could keep skills for my main. I know everyone going to say there is enough skill points to do all crafting and everything now, but there is not enough when you are under level 50 with max CP.

Also, someone who masters woodworking should not have to master blacksmithing to change a staff or shield.

2. No it should not take 100 of the new trait to switch it out. Not unless we are able to buy them somewhere. 5 or 10 max should get the job done.

MaKTaiL · October 2016

ShadowscaleSithis wrote: »

Two things;

1 - No I should not have to master the desired style to be able to reforge something!! Some of us have our crafters on different toons due to lack of skill points in the beginning and lack of time to dedicate to learn crafting on all of our toons. Right after beta I made a main and 3 crafters so I could keep skills for my main. I know everyone going to say there is enough skill points to do all crafting and everything now, but there is not enough when you are under level 50 with max CP.

Also, someone who masters woodworking should not have to master blacksmithing to change a staff or shield.

2. No it should not take 100 of the new trait to switch it out. Not unless we are able to buy them somewhere. 5 or 10 max should get the job done.

I never said you have to master Woodworking or Blacksmithing to do this.

Qbiken · October 2016

Yes to being able to change style, but changing trait, is that for crafted gear only or do you want it to be for dropped loot as well?? If it´s for crafted gear then I´m fine with it but being able to change trait on dropped gear would be way to broken (like changing trait on a maelstromweapon or monstermask that drops)

MaKTaiL · October 2016

Qbiken wrote: »

Yes to being able to change style, but changing trait, is that for crafted gear only or do you want it to be for dropped loot as well?? If it´s for crafted gear then I´m fine with it but being able to change trait on dropped gear would be way to broken (like changing trait on a maelstromweapon or monstermask that drops)

It wouldn't be broken if it costs a lot of materials to do it. It would be a kind of counter balance.

Qbiken · October 2016

MaKTaiL wrote: »

Qbiken wrote: »

Yes to being able to change style, but changing trait, is that for crafted gear only or do you want it to be for dropped loot as well?? If it´s for crafted gear then I´m fine with it but being able to change trait on dropped gear would be way to broken (like changing trait on a maelstromweapon or monstermask that drops)

It wouldn't be broken if it costs a lot of materials to do it.

It would be broken as ****. If we take monster helmets as example: Lets say I want the skoria helmet in light armor divines. With the new system were you can trade loot in a group (+ adding the 100& droprate on monsterhelmets on veteran version, or HM on veteran version, I`m not sure which one) the chance of someone in the group getting a light armor version of the helm is high. If your suggestion were to be added, it would matter which trait this helmet is since I can change it to divines by crafting, and if I´m filthy rich the material cost would mean nothing (if your a decent trader the materialcost for changing trait in this case would barely be a loss).

And then we come into maelstrom weapons (not even sure I want to discuss this since almost all suggestion about changing maelstrom are pure ***......but anyway). Maelstrom weapons are considered BiS (best in slot) for most endgame builds (you don´t need them for endgame content like veteran trials but it boosts your dps a lot so it helps). If changing trait on dropped loot were to be impliemented: I would just have to be lucky to get the right kind of weapon I want (since I can change trait for a "material cost"). (Only thing maelstrom need is a well-made token system, if it even needs changes at all). And if you don´t see how changing trait on dropped loot is broken........just *sigh*

Yes to being able to change trait on crafted gear, and style on all gear (since style is just a cosmetic component while trait is a performing component)

Bryanonymous · October 2016

How about we make crafters useful again and require:

1. Exact number of mats required to craft the leveled gear from scratch.
2. Knowledge of both the style you are changing from and style you are changing to.
3. Minimum level of research traits done including knowledge of the specific trait on the item you wish to change. Plus passives unlocked in the skill tree for restyling, which become available when you finish X number of traits on all items in that branch.
4. Resulting piece is white reguardless of quality before.
5. BoE items would stay BoE. BoP items would remain tradable with group.

And if you're not a crafter? Well too bad.

ShadowscaleSithis · October 2016

It was number 2 on your original post

MaKTaiL wrote: »

ShadowscaleSithis wrote: »

Two things;

1 - No I should not have to master the desired style to be able to reforge something!! Some of us have our crafters on different toons due to lack of skill points in the beginning and lack of time to dedicate to learn crafting on all of our toons. Right after beta I made a main and 3 crafters so I could keep skills for my main. I know everyone going to say there is enough skill points to do all crafting and everything now, but there is not enough when you are under level 50 with max CP.

Also, someone who masters woodworking should not have to master blacksmithing to change a staff or shield.

2. No it should not take 100 of the new trait to switch it out. Not unless we are able to buy them somewhere. 5 or 10 max should get the job done.

I never said you have to master Woodworking or Blacksmithing to do this.

MaKTaiL · October 2016

ShadowscaleSithis wrote: »

It was number 2 on your original post

MaKTaiL wrote: »

ShadowscaleSithis wrote: »

Two things;

1 - No I should not have to master the desired style to be able to reforge something!! Some of us have our crafters on different toons due to lack of skill points in the beginning and lack of time to dedicate to learn crafting on all of our toons. Right after beta I made a main and 3 crafters so I could keep skills for my main. I know everyone going to say there is enough skill points to do all crafting and everything now, but there is not enough when you are under level 50 with max CP.

Also, someone who masters woodworking should not have to master blacksmithing to change a staff or shield.

2. No it should not take 100 of the new trait to switch it out. Not unless we are able to buy them somewhere. 5 or 10 max should get the job done.

I never said you have to master Woodworking or Blacksmithing to do this.

I said you have to master the style, not the profession. It is still the original post. I just added the (comment).

Jim_Pipp · October 2016

I love the idea. If it were implemented I expect that it would be something available through the crown store, after all it is just cosmetic changes. I suppose there are only 3 ways it would be available through crown store
1 - As a token, or item that gets consumed after one use.
2 - As a crafting assistant
3 - As a location that is part of a larger DLC

A fourth option is being ESO-plus exclusive.

I would prefer it wasn't crown store, but I can't object to ZOS charging for cosmetic features when the DLC's are so cheap.

Rune_Relic · October 2016

Time vs RNG vs Gold.
I have no problem with a time sink.
I prefer that to RNG and Gold.
As long as they dont stack Time (gathering) + RNG (luck)....or compulsory gold....I'm good.

Dasovaruilos · October 2016

Changing styles would be awesome and I think a very nice feature.

Regarding development time, I don't think this is that big of an issue. First, we already have a "Convert to Imperial Style", so they already know how to do it. I don't think it is impossible to expect that to be implemented sometime in the future, after things get stable again after One Tamriel.

Regarding traits change, I would just forget about it... It is an essential part of the game design to keep us playing more. I also don't like that the chances are sooo low... C'mon, people playing for YEARS, 8, 9 hours a day still haven't got some gears??... But I just don't think this is going to change.

They did say that they wanted to make all traits interesting, so I think we can expect more than one trait for PvE / one trait for PvP in the future.

And then all of us who deconstructed that purple Training gear will be fuming with anger when that trait actually becomes useful, hehe.

KloudKotuzai · October 2016

Or how about it only changes the look, and thats it. No need to change traits, at this point the OP is just talking about how hideous some armor is. Or unable to wear new armor due to having to recraft your whole armor. It would be nice to be able to create your character the way you want. And look the way you want. You're still grinding for everything.

Vindemiatrix · October 2016

I don't see why we shouldn't be able to customize the style, with an appropriate sacrifice of materials and the required style knowledge. What good is it investing in all these various styles and building up the crafting skills if we can't customize the armor we have?

ShadowscaleSithis · October 2016

MaKTaiL wrote: »

ShadowscaleSithis wrote: »

It was number 2 on your original post

MaKTaiL wrote: »

ShadowscaleSithis wrote: »

Two things;

1 - No I should not have to master the desired style to be able to reforge something!! Some of us have our crafters on different toons due to lack of skill points in the beginning and lack of time to dedicate to learn crafting on all of our toons. Right after beta I made a main and 3 crafters so I could keep skills for my main. I know everyone going to say there is enough skill points to do all crafting and everything now, but there is not enough when you are under level 50 with max CP.

Also, someone who masters woodworking should not have to master blacksmithing to change a staff or shield.

2. No it should not take 100 of the new trait to switch it out. Not unless we are able to buy them somewhere. 5 or 10 max should get the job done.

I never said you have to master Woodworking or Blacksmithing to do this.

I said you have to master the style, not the profession. It is still the original post. I just added the (comment).

A bit late, but ---- I will say again. If I am a Carpenter there should be no way I have to learn to style swords to change a staff or bow. That makes no sense whatsoever!

Rev Rielle · October 2016

Honestly, all they have to do is build on the 'change to imperial style' that is already in the game code.
Just a simple check would be needed: If our character has the knowledge to craft it outright, then I think they should be able to convert a piece of equipment they currently have to that known style. Perhaps it would consume one style material.

You'd right-click the item in your inventory to change it like how we currently can do so in game for the imperial conversion. That would be the easiest and - as far as I can tell - require the least effort.

Now if they really wanted to do it right they'd implement another tab into our crafting stations for reforging - like what you mention in your opening post. The item you want to converted substitutes out for the base materials. Your character just requires the appropriate style material for the style they want it changed to. Like what you mentioned.

Finally, to build on your post we would have an option to convert it to a 'lower level style' e.g. cloth style, or rawhide style. For some of the early styles are lost in the game these days, and their graphics and textures could be put to good use this way; adding more variability and options for players (especially when it comes to player aesthetics in an MMO) is never a bad thing.

It would be something really nice for them to add.

Cazic · October 2016

Fully agree with the idea of restyling armour. Either have the "convert to imperial style" option for all known styles, or add a new tab to the crafting window for it.

I don't think changing traits should ever happen though, unless they drastically change what certain traits do. Yeah it sucks getting the trait you don't want, but it's a core part of how loot works in this game, and keeps people coming back for more.