Would you like class specific gear sets added to the game?

Justiciar · May 2017

I've been thinking for a while how I, personally, would try and make the rat race for gear a little more interesting. A thought I keep coming back to is a little reminiscent of tier sets from another popular mmo. I think it would be fun to have sets of gear that are specifically designed to be utilized by certain classes.

Challenging, but not impossible to get, these sets would have a 5 piece bonus that would be a signature part of the class for that patch/chapter. I'm thinking something that would alter one of the classes abilities. So for example, a sorcerer set could alter or improve one of their signature skills such as mages fury. The next chapter a new set could be introduced focused on a conjuration pet, and so forth. Each class would have it's own set in this way.

Ideally these sets would also look very attractive and be themed specifically for these classes, have a unique animation or particle effect, or something similar.

So that's the basic thought I've had. I enjoy the freedom of being able to equip any set of gear, and the fun class builds you can come up with as it stands, but often times, especially with Morrowind releasing soon, I find it hard to get excited about much of the new gear that is introduced. Something like this would make me excited for a new chapter of the game with the knowledge that at least one of the sets may radically change how my class plays for a patch or two.

I'd like to hear others thoughts on this, and if you'd enjoy something similar, or have your own idea on what could be added to making getting new gear more fun in ESO.

BigBragg · May 2017

For me there is more than enough gear sets in the game, and too much gear grind for some of the items. Adding a specific class one seems limiting and just annoying to acquire.

Bowser · May 2017

Class specific enchantments would be nice. Something like the Master or Maelstrom enchants, but for class abilities and craftable with rare new runes.

Justiciar · May 2017

BigBragg wrote: »

For me there is more than enough gear sets in the game, and too much gear grind for some of the items. Adding a specific class one seems limiting and just annoying to acquire.

I can understand that. There is certainly a plethora of gear sets in the game currently, though many of them are not terribly exciting.

I personally feel that there is a certain lack of progression when it comes to gear. An example of what I mean, is that my sorcerer has been wearing 5 piece Julianos ever since it came out. It's a great set, I'm glad that the resources I put into it have payed off. But there really is a need in mmo's to have something new to work towards. If there's a set of gear that makes you excited to get and try it out and defines your class for the next patch, it gives a sense of progression and something to work towards.

That is one of the goals of my idea. The 5 piece should be a class defining bonus that changes how you play and gives you something to progress towards.

ArchMikem · May 2017

BigBragg wrote: »

For me there is more than enough gear sets in the game, and too much gear grind for some of the items. Adding a specific class one seems limiting and just annoying to acquire.

There may be a lot of sets, but there are only a select few that are actually worth using for the end game, and of course if you try to do end game not wearing such sets, the player base craps on you for it.

They need to make the majority of the sets worthwhile, and more easily obtained. Lord knows how many of the crafted sets go unused and ignored.

BigBragg · May 2017

Agree that there aren't many for end game. So instead of diluting the pool even further, lets revamp some of the under performing one, including crafted. While things like Julianos are decent, they are far from best in slot, and with it taking month and month and months to max out crafting there should be better option. I was happy with Homestead at least offering two best in slots for Sorcs PvE with Necropotence and Burning Spell Weave. I would like to see a little bit more balance withing gear providing build options.

PVP is a whole different monster, but seems to have a lot of go to, but also a lot more experiments running around as well.

I am also an altoholic, so I like being able to move sets between characters and builds.

oibam · May 2017

NO MORE TRASH SETS!!!

Please

(Rework old ones)

Turelus · May 2017

Not for me.

I'd rather keep the current system of anyone in anything as it opens the game up to more variety in choice.

Justiciar · May 2017

oibam wrote: »

NO MORE TRASH SETS!!!

Please

(Rework old ones)

I don't think you actually read the OP. No one is asking for trash sets. The idea suggested is to add powerful class unique sets that fundamentally change how a classes ability functions, similar to tier sets from another game.

Reworking old sets so that they aren't worthless also doesn't address the problem of uninteresting gear to progress towards. There needs to be something worth progressing towards and simply changing an old set that's been taking up space in your bank would not accomplish that.

theher0not · May 2017

Yes. It would make it easier to balance sets since they would only have to consider the class it is made for.

And it could give special class skill bonuses similar to how some MSA weapons give certan skills a bonus.

(but there need to be a token system if this happens, or some other bad luck protection to prevent people from getting gear to a class they don't use)

kongkim · May 2017

sure way not

NewBlacksmurf · May 2017

I'd rather they remove 4 crafted sets ppl don't use and replace those 4 with class sets that are arguable OP. Maybe in the 3-6 trait range but the challenge is these would end up being hybrids or healing, dos or tanking weighed so then ppl would ask for class sets with all roles and hybrids built in.

Prob should already exist as Main story reward for jewelry.
Fighters and Mage guild rewards for weapons
Gear should come from normal and vet dungeon rewards from Undaunted dailies.

Do away with Monster set keys and come up with some other place for those.

idk · May 2017

BigBragg wrote: »

For me there is more than enough gear sets in the game, and too much gear grind for some of the items. Adding a specific class one seems limiting and just annoying to acquire.

This. Also, for a class specific set it would have to provide a bonus to a class ability. Zos does not have a solid understanding of the classes and builds that are strong to develop a good set for each class.

Additionally, to be worthwhile the set would have to be pretty strong which could cause further issues to Zos's inability to balance the classes. Many point to CP and the removal of soft caps, but Zos has always had it where at least one class underperformed to a great extent.

MagnusBlackmane · May 2017

Ummmm... no.

Class specific sets are generally a bad idea, especially if they are meant to change/boost certain skills. Such sets would make you "play the set" rather than "play the class", and while the build diversity is now somewhat mediocre such set would kill all diversity.

psxfloh · May 2017

MagnusBlackmane wrote: »

Ummmm... no.

Class specific sets are generally a bad idea, especially if they are meant to change/boost certain skills. Such sets would make you "play the set" rather than "play the class", and while the build diversity is now somewhat mediocre such set would kill all diversity.

diversity is an illusion.. each and every mag class had to get bsw since it came out.
with class specific sets you'd at least have one set per class.. or more, for different builds like stam/mag/tank/heal/... !

MagnusBlackmane · May 2017

psxfloh wrote: »

diversity is an illusion.. each and every mag class had to get bsw since it came out.
with class specific sets you'd at least have one set per class.. or more, for different builds like stam/mag/tank/heal/... !

Well, I'm late to the party then... never owned a piece of BSW, picked up Julianos/Seducer combo.

DeadlyRecluse · May 2017

I think that any "class" sets should be kinda suggestive rather than restricted--BSW, for instance.

I think a properly balanced BSW should be BiS for magDKs, while being just okay on any other class using an inferno staff. Then it isn't "class locked" necessarily but plays best with just one or two classes.

War Maiden and Netch's Touch are two more examples of "soft" class gear sets--Soulshine and Cyrodiil's light, too. I'd like those sets to just be tuned a bit better rather than hard class locks put on gear.

Queo · May 2017

NO, no, no, nope, nada, no, no, no.

bad idea. things get out of whack, no bad bad. I can live with out monster sets i can craft some nice that work just fine for me. something like will take that ability way. then we have to farm for it. Every one will be the same, have to have your class set... blah no please.

brandonv516 · May 2017

Personally I miss quests like the one I did for my Hunter's Ancient Keepers Bow/Stave in WoW.

That was one of the single most memorable things from that game. The quest was no walk in the park and the weapons were awesome.

Nolic1 · May 2017

Justiciar wrote: »

BigBragg wrote: »

For me there is more than enough gear sets in the game, and too much gear grind for some of the items. Adding a specific class one seems limiting and just annoying to acquire.

I can understand that. There is certainly a plethora of gear sets in the game currently, though many of them are not terribly exciting.

I personally feel that there is a certain lack of progression when it comes to gear. An example of what I mean, is that my sorcerer has been wearing 5 piece Julianos ever since it came out. It's a great set, I'm glad that the resources I put into it have payed off. But there really is a need in mmo's to have something new to work towards. If there's a set of gear that makes you excited to get and try it out and defines your class for the next patch, it gives a sense of progression and something to work towards.

That is one of the goals of my idea. The 5 piece should be a class defining bonus that changes how you play and gives you something to progress towards.

Well they do have that now for sorc its called Netch's Touch it increases your shock damage and is geared more to them then any other class. There are alot of sets like this in the game that can be used really only for certain classes.

Oh and no I would not like to see this in game cause then the meta would just be those gear sets and then fall in line with all other mmos to gear restriction.

Fiskerton · May 2017

It would basically make it like diablo 3. But honestly, diablo 3 style item sets might be better cuz they promoted different playstyles by forcing certain abilities to be used.

Lynx7386 · May 2017

Might be interesting to have class gear sets that modified abilities for that class in some way, but the problem is ZOS's "any class, any role" game design. How could you make a nightblade set that could cover tanking, healing, and DPS? Chances are they'd make it a stealth damage set, which would screw over anyone who doesnt play the iconic build type. Similarly, any DK set would be tanking focused, any sorc set magicka focused, any templar set healing focused.

Unless they made 4 sets per class (magicka dps, stamina dps, tanking, and healing), maybe 5 if you want to add in magicka tanking vs stamina tanking, which is an absolutely huge amount of developer time and resources for very little gain.

Justiciar · May 2017

Lynx7386 wrote: »

Might be interesting to have class gear sets that modified abilities for that class in some way, but the problem is ZOS's "any class, any role" game design. How could you make a nightblade set that could cover tanking, healing, and DPS? Chances are they'd make it a stealth damage set, which would screw over anyone who doesnt play the iconic build type. Similarly, any DK set would be tanking focused, any sorc set magicka focused, any templar set healing focused.

Unless they made 4 sets per class (magicka dps, stamina dps, tanking, and healing), maybe 5 if you want to add in magicka tanking vs stamina tanking, which is an absolutely huge amount of developer time and resources for very little gain.

My thought was to have each patch/chapter have 1 new set per class introduced that focuses on a different ability. Eventually every type of build would have a set, players would have plenty of time to get each one and experiment. And it wouldn't be overwhelming trying to get 4 sets x 5 classes all at once.

Gilvoth · May 2017

we would have to see the results from it for a few months before making the decision of it being a good, or bad thing.

EvilCroc · May 2017

I like the idea, but I do not want to let ZOS implement such thing. I do not believe in their "hip flaps" art designers and in their capability to balance such sets. Dead horse.

Wolfenbelle · May 2017

ArchMikem wrote: »

BigBragg wrote: »

They need to make the majority of the sets worthwhile, and more easily obtained. Lord knows how many of the crafted sets go unused and ignored

This. Absolutely agree.

1. There are way too many sets in the game.
2. Only a handful are used.
3. The overwhelming majority of crafted sets are pointless.
4. ZOS once promised crafted sets would be equal to if not superior to dropped sets.
5. The overwhelming majority of the best dropped sets are bind on pickup, making them inaccessible to many, if not most players. And the majority of the better sets added to the game are this type.
6. Many times when non-elite players finally get the set they want, ZOS comes along with major game changes that make those sets useless.

It's all quite discouraging.

Gilvoth · May 2017

EvilCroc wrote: »

I like the idea, but I do not want to let ZOS implement such thing. I do not believe in their "hip flaps" art designers and in their capability to balance such sets. Dead horse.

we should allow for a third party to handle the balancing of classes and adding of any new armor sets. zenimax has a track record.

magictucktuck · May 2017

How about instead of new gear set just like the new Maelstrom weapon but they all have a class specific skill!??!

Justiciar · May 2017

magictucktuck wrote: »

How about instead of new gear set just like the new Maelstrom weapon but they all have a class specific skill!??!

This idea is decent, but once again would fail to satisfy what, for me, is a key part of an mmo; Desirable gear from new content. vMA is already a painful chore and I would rather get new gear, or a weapon as you suggest, from new content, rather than just recycling old material.

Galwylin · May 2017

I think class specific gear would be interesting but really only if its something you acquire through play. Instead of that set piece you get for reward that you trash because you aren't maxxed level. But something, probably the only, gear that does grow with you. Just give health, magicka/stamina and recovery with a bonus to next cast or just more health. Nothing overpowered but something you could use instead of grinding gear. Its really going to be hard because classes still can vary a good deal so main stats are the only thing everyone can use.

Magdalina · May 2017

It could be interesting. Perhaps bring some of the underused class skills up there(crystal blast anyone?) and bring more diversity rather than less.

I doubt the overall community would be too fond of it though because "play the way you want" mentality. Also, farming it would be...different. Would those be random set drops in some kind of new content? Perhaps class specific drops in certain content? But that'd only encourage 1 single class to run it so that's a bad idea. Random set drops? But that'd discourage people who just want to get their DK gear yet keep getting sorc one(granted we already kinda get that with this rng). Drops locked to the characters's class? But what about the people who farm gear on a different character than the one they want to use it on?