Breaking the boundaries of GW Armor Design

I sort of like Gladiator armor for both sexes. Especially the plates that cover the right arm and not the left. I like that. Slap the chest and hand pieces on, then 15k kurzick leggings and boots. Tell me what you think.

Andy, I know how you feel, when I first started this game I knew I was going to go Necromancer, so I rolled one, I was, well, surprised to see what the armour looked like. I expected dark robes and perhaps a hood for necros, making them look rather sinister, but there was may rather wiry necro in tight-fitting leather pants, dodgy. But I played on, I did and still do, like the scar pattern headgear though (and was glad to see variety in factions), I thought perhaps the armour design would get better, and perhaps higher level armour would look better. Well the high level armour does look better, but for the most part it looks the same, just with fancy do-dads added on.

What would be quite nice perhaps, and I have very little idea of how it could be implemented, would be armour based on skill, and as the character develops, and becomes more skilled, his armour can be changed to denote his "rank" (anyone read 'Magician'?). Just an idea, but yes, I agree with you, a little diversity in design would be most welcome.

I think in a way, armor does change as your character develops. People wearing 15k armor or Fissure armor are basically saying "Been there, done that, got the Hauberk." As for armor developing with "skill", I think that would be a rather difficult measure to qualify. For me, the problem is not really method of acquiring armor, but the point you brought up initially: New armors might look slightly different or better (though imo, often worse) than what came before them, but it tends to be trapped in a model that basically presents us with more of the same, whether or not we liked what was there to begin with or not. New should at least involve some options that are different and appeal to tastes previously unexplored.

I dissagree with most of the OPs statement except the ones about the Male Elementalist. Whatever the style is supposed to be, most of it just look dumb. pretty much all of the Prophecies designs are pretty retarded.

Canthan designs were a tad better. And the Vabbi & Anchient are probably the best. The Primeval? oh. dear. Lord. what on earth were they smoking? It's insulting really. I was thinking of making a Dervish be and elementalist just because he acctually wore ROBES! Yeah, the tight-jeans/spikey-flare clothing is just plain BAD. Aeromancer? wow.... just... WOW. This is Guild Wars not City of Villians.

It's my personal opinion that all male necromancer armor sucks except for the FoW minus the leggings and the 15k Tormentor's with a 15k Chest Tatoo design. They really need better designs there.

I like some of it:
Fanatic
Scar
15k Kurzick & Luxon
but man.. Necros got SHAFTED in Nightfall! terrible!
Primeval? geez....

@Necris:

Judging from your obvious resentment of female character armour and how it is wrong for them to look sexy.
I have come to a conclusion:

1. You are fridgid
2. You are Gay

Option 1 well it happens.
Option 2 nothing to be ashamed off but there are easier ways out of the closet than relating to sexy elementalist armour in guild wars.

Somehow I get the impression you're not totally comfortable with your sexuality. I'm assuming this is because of upbringing...

You're distracted by women who show cleavage and yet you mantain not to "think with his penis"? Interesting logic, I suggest you rethink that statement.



Therefore implying that women who do dress "like that" aren't normal. You "sir" are a mysoginistic relic of the 50's. But I shouldn't be trying to offend you, rather I'd like for you to seek professional help because your views on the opposite sex are somewhat distorted. You could really hurt some poor girl, someday...

I don't know why you think that you disagree with most of my statements... it sounds that with the exception of the Lopsided Motif, you've subscribed to all of them. Clearly with the male elementalist (which is the most extreme illustration of most of my points), the gender disparity is obvious because you've taken issue with only the Male Elementalist armor. As for the "tight-jeans/spikey-flare clothing", that's exactly the kind of trend that I am suggesting that not all armors need to follow.

I don't really agree that Canthan and Elonian designs are better. If I were to judge, I would say that 15k Geomancer armor was actually the nicest. Canthan armor, in addition to the tight pants and skinny jacket introduced a strange motif of circular holes in the outer-jacket... In Vabbian armor, I'm still scratching my head at the metal plate on his chest, and why nobody bothered to close it at the top and bottom. The coat in Ancient armor is subject to all manner of strange angles, which is really nothing new.


I'm a 1.5k Bonelace guy myself.


While I don't agree with Necris' opinions, I can't really see what relevance your post has to this thread. It's merely an inflammatory statement grounded in a superficial pretense of logic and with very implicit prejudices, assumptions, and judgements.


I thought this was an interesting statement, and the logic makes sense. But I really think this is just semantics. It's pretty clear what Necris means. Every guy is driven by his libido, but not everyone approves of the sexually charged and immodest atmosphere produced by those who dress provocatively.

In any case, this isn't a discussion on pop culture, it's a discussion of Armor Design, and personal attacks aren't really constructive.

So since he doesn't agree with you, his views are "distorted" and he is wrong? Maybe you're the wrong one. Or maybe it's a matter of opinion. But you have no right to tell him he's wrong unless he's hurting someone which he obviously isn't... and I doubt he's gonna hurt a girl by having her not be a little skank. And if you're going to use "intelligent" words like, as you say, "mysoginistic", learn to spell them... or at least use them right.

That's a good way to put it. Every person, male or female, has sexuality and a desire for the same and/or opposite sex. That doesn't mean every person approves of provocative clothing.

There's a start. yes, I think the asymetrical nature of much of the armor in the game is great, but you used the Elementalist as an example not as the only cited issue. I don't hink there is anything wrong with a theme for the classes. (what you call a "Fixation with a particular model") I don't think the "Gender disparity" is a big issue besides the Elementalist. I think the Male Warriors look way cooler than the female.(but that is because, to me, they didn't give the female Warrior a buff enough body. I want me a Frazetta woman! lol) And I don't agree that they should go too far away from the set themes.

Also, I don't see the Ancient armor as "subject to all manner of strange angles". I see quite a change from the traditional Elementalist. I dunno, maybe as an artist I pick up on the little things, but it's a far cry from the Aeromancer joke-armor.

I made this design for my brother using Guild Wars concept art as an influence and I don't feel it's hugely off the Elementalist class(with the exception of the cape which is half-off to show the under-armor)

His views are distorted because from saying girls shouldn't dress sexy because it makes them look "skank" to saying "Girls that look sexy are asking to be handled like lust objects" is a small step.

Um... no. Saying girls who dress like "skanks" look "skanky" isn't distorted at all... it's true.

If defining a girl as a "skank" because of the way she dresses isn't caught by the word "hurt" then what is?
And he "obviously" isn't hurting someone? I assume you know Necris personally, then? I'm reading between the lines, but i'm geting some serious phallic frustration from Necris (you, too I'm afraid) If getting Necris and you help, saves some girl grief I think I have every right! "Mysogynistic" it is, then. I usually spellcheck "intelligent" words by typing them into Google. "did you mean..." didn't show up so I assumed my spelling correct.

This and the quote you referenced are both very much correct. I for one am also uncomfortable when around scantily clad women; IRL that is... both you and Necris apparently are unable to distinguish between feminine looking 3d models and actual women. This qualifies as disturbed in my book; some, like me, even call it dangerous. I'm sorry it has to be me to tell you....

What, may I ask, are you wearing?

This armor concept is beautiful. But I do disagree that it's not hugely off from the way that elementalist designs tend to be. The leggings take a broad stance and have a nice robe-esque (sorry I couldn't cough up a more accurate description), both of which don't emphasize the slender figure of the elementalist the way most armors in the game do. The cape is full length and hangs down straight as opposed to flaring half way like most GW armors do. In addition, many coats for elementalists make an exaggerated inverse V of some sort up towards the chest which ends either in the aforementioned V or a circle. The ornamentation is much more regal in comparison to what you have referred to as "City of Villains" fare. Lastly, while you may not feel that this is off much from the Guild Wars concept art, concept art rarely makes its way as is into the game. While you could certainly draw some of the male elementalist armors in the game to look nice, when modelled they often become tighter and lose the nice crumply fabric effect that I so adore in your concept art.


I do believe that calling the armors "skank" was first posed by someone who wanted to keep them that way, not by Necris. Once again, your logical leap is significant, and you merely attempt to sway the issue with your charged language. Women who dress provocatively are not "asking to be handled like lust objects", but they are inviting a certain kind of attention - the same kind of attention that a guy with a perfect six pack invites when he walks around without a shirt. This kind of dress is not reflective of, say, "Hey check me out, I have a sweet personality", it says "Hey check me out, I'm so hot." I think you are not only downplaying the amount of thought that goes into wardrobe decisions, but again presenting your personal attack with facade of logic.


This isn't really a question of distinction. After all, most of Necris' comments that you attacked were, in fact, in regard to real life women (in his math class as I recall). His preferring not to translate that kind of style into the game world is his own preference. While I personally don't have a problem with it, this is not indicitive of the inability to draw an actual distinction. You may still argue that Necris or anyone else has trouble distinguishing between 3D models and real women, but even if so, that's really not a unique problem. It's the precise reason that people get the giddies out of dancing around half naked in town and screaming "Naked dance party!" Clearly there's some kind of pleasure coming out of that, or they wouldn't be doing it.

lol wow dude. Let me go through that stinker step by step:

Defining a girl who dresses like a "skank" as "skanky" isn't hurting the girl... unless she can only afford 100 dollar skirts that show her lack of underpants when she bends forward 2 inches, she has the ability to dress like a modest being and chooses not to. Maybe you have very little experience with girls- well, that's obvious- but anyway, typically, "skanks" dress like "skanks" and other girls dress less revealing.

And lets see... based on what he has typed, no, he isn't hurting ANYBODY. Seeing how that's the only evidence either of us has, then yes, I'm right.

Save some girl some grief? You can easily accomplish that by never speaking to another female again.

Your spelling is incorrect... and if you need Google to spell a word for you, you probably shouldn't be using it. After you become older, you're vocabulary will increase on it's own- don't force it.

That last bit makes no sense at all... in fact, your complete lack of logic makes you disturbed in not just my book, but the book of any licensed psychologist or psychiatric specialist. Really... I'm dangerous because I don't approve of girls dressing like "skanks"? Someone call the cops on me before I go cover up some cleavage! -_-

Oh! owned lol. See now here I totally agree with you.

Thanks, I may have made an assumption since I wans't accutally using Elementalist art as the ref, but things like Shiro, Wardens, Canthan Pesants, & Shiro'ken. The Elementalist Elements (wow) that I see are the Vabbi long coat (without the ugly back-forward protrusion) The Chanthan & Ancient Collor (there is a tight collor underneith then a larger one surrounded by one-pass guards) the buttoned/suit-like chest of the Kurzick armor & an extended version of the loin cloth from the collectors/Elementalist's armor.
I understand many of the changes that go on from concept to 3D and kind of assume they would happen if this were to happen to my concept. But I can see it (again, with teh exception of the cape) being workable, but recognizeable.
Not, for instance, making them look like Gandalf (who is the man. lol)

I have in my previous posts assumed you and Necris to making the same connection "revealing == skank". I'm repating myself here: this is simply not true...

Right up to the point when Necris starts dating your little sister. Honest answer please: you like the idea of some frustated character like Necris touching your sister? Or even someone like yourself who divides women into categories such as "skank" and "not-skank".

I enjoy many conversations with women, regardless of how they dress. The whole concept of "them v. us" is lost on me...

And your failure to correct me shines in it's absence. I now know how to spell mysogyny, if you're paying attention so will you.

No, you're dangerous because you devaluate individuals based on their wardrobe, of all things... Don't make me invoke Godwin's Law. I reconsider, no need for good old godwin. I just realized that the people who flew planes into the twin towers and you share a trait: the "need" to cover up womens bodies

Nice move dear Sir you just made my point for me:

This kind of dress is not reflective of, say, "Hey check me out, I have a sweet personality", it says "Hey check me out, I'm so hot."

It says that in your head, as such i find your view to be distorted (if not Necris's) there is absolutely no reason to presume that a girl who dresses in a short skirt with a tanktop with a lot cleaveage is trying to get your sexual attention she might simply be trying to be fashionable as many women do. She might be a girl with a great personality who happens to like wearing fashionable clothing.
Mind you many not quite so "hot" girls also dress in mini skirts and i would presume many of them do so because of the style being in fashion, not because they are trying to draw sexual attention. A lot of women care about being fashionable and are not trying to get some sexuality point accross by doing so.

If I may be so bold...

Sex sells. ANet knows this. Everyone who has been outside their parent's basement knows this. Guys will buy a game with girls who wear (what seems to be) three yards of cloth and saucepan lids. Girls (don't deny it!) will buy a game with buff guys wearing tight-ish clothing that shows off their bodies.

Also, a ndy gave me some perfect backing for my argument for making a female ele and assassin. The armor is creepy. The guys are creepy. Creepy squared. This is just my personal opinion, but I believe many share it. I don't sit in front of my computer screen for hours on end watching my elementalist dance with no clothes. I PLAY THE GAME. I suggest everyone else does too.

It's so refreshing to find a thread that reminds me I'm playing Flame Wars and not Guild Wars.

On a side note, [caster] female armor is way too skanky. No sane lady would wear that in day-to-day life. Look at Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale, she dresses conservatively and still looks hot as ****.

Yes, I do agree that male elementalist armor needs an overhaul.. but that'll take some time. C5, maybe.

Just my thoughts, flame away, as seems to be customary in this thread.

You've got it backward actually; Necris sees in-game characters and links that to some IRL event. He's the one infusing 'his' game world with the notion of "(virtual) cross-dressing" (if you will) and then gets offended by it. The game (most mmo's) is about doing in-game stuff that never could happen IRL: magic, dragons and yes "naked dance party!"

No sane lady would attempt to cast Searing Flames on a group of people in IRL either, your point is? Female eles != ladies/girls.

Are you just a moron? I hope you know that many FEMALES divide women into "skank" and not-"skank'... not to mention many many men. It's a characterization. Grow. Up. Welcome to the real world. If you are too blind to see what is right in front of you, that's fine, but don't criticize us who DON'T live under a rock.

You still spelled "mysogyny" wrong (hint: only 2 y's in that word), but to my amusement, you spelled several other words wrong. Too bad you don't need to graduate from elementary school to post on the internet...

And by implying someone is similar to a terrorist simply proves your complete and udder ignorance. So I guess every single Middle Eastern person is a terrorist? Everybody who doesn't approve of "skanky" clothes is a terrorist? GreatLich, I recommend you stop posting for a while. "It's better to let people assume you are an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Fine, I won't, you've obviously not the stomach for it

And you still fail to correct me C'mon really... I'll let you type it for a change, humour me; it's proof you really have been paying attention.
If you feel, somehow, that commenting on my spelling is proof you're not a retard, more power to you.

But dear Sir, I'm no cow. So I fail to see how my supposed udder comes in to play, perhaps "utter" is the word you're looking for?
Here's how you use it: "You Sir, are an utter retard!"

Alright, I think we should all take a step back here and breathe. There's really no need to bust out the serious mud-slinging here. That said, here's my response:

There are plenty of styles that are fasionable that don't involve showing off as much skin as you possibly can. But let's not be coy, women and men who dress provocatively know, even if they deny that it is their primary purpose, what kind of attention they are attracting. In fact, why do we try to dress fashionably at all? It's to draw attention to our appearance. It's to impress upon others that we can and do look good. Provocative clothing is no exception, and simply puts emphasis on different assets... so yes, they are trying to draw that kind of attention. You can argue that this is the fashion of the day and age, but that doesn't negate the underlying trends. Why is it fashionable? Because as many players have already indicated in this very thread, "Sex sells."


Sound advice.


A nod to Etrik for staying on topic. I really hope we don't need to wait until the 5th campaign to get some refreshingly novel armors though.


This is merely a difference how a person chooses to regard their avatar.

Of course the game is about doing things that aren't possible in real life. Games are an outet for creativity, and let us do things that we wish could really happen. That said, most videogames are modelled from the genuine human experience, the characters molded so as to evoke human emotion. If executed correctly, art has the ability to promote a "temporary suspension of disbelief", as they called it in my drama class. So yes, mentally and logically you may make the distinction between in-game and real life characters, but this doesn't negate the ability to relate to them in some way.

Sure a "naked dance party" might never happen in the world (or then again, maybe it can... maybe we just haven't been to the right parties). Regardless, the fact that people act out in games what can't happen in real life in itself makes such a solid distinction between our views of virtual characters and real characters blurrier than seem to want to admit.


Essentially what it seems the Necris flamers (and I don't know why you bother, because he doesn't seem to be following this thread anymore) are trying to say is that there are only two sides:
1. The side that thinks that women should dress provocatively
2. People that either have psychological problems or abnormal sexual preferences

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if this is the case, then it seems significantly more skewed than any objections you have made to my arguments.


But why be limited at all? Can't we have both Gandalf and what we've been getting all along? I don't see anything wrong with that.

Best. Guild. Name. Ever. do you have a tag with that? oh wait: [HAWT]

Ok so this thread has now fell down to the level of flaming people over a simple typo...

Simply suggesting that all female eles shouldn't have to wear provocative clothing doesn't instantly make someone a misogynist, in fact it may mean that they appreciate female values more - not all women like to be portrayed by the media as almost solely sexual objects who run around only just covering certain parts of flesh.

So how about people grow up, stop trying to insult people and then making feeble comebacks? Let's get back on topic here.

The game's armour designers obvious have gotten into trends which will be hard for them to break, but hopefully we will get some variation in armour soon.

PS: Oh and since you still, apparently, don't know how to spell the word it is misogyny. Just to correct you before this gets closed sometime soon.

Nice thinking! Lets run:

2 RaO Thumpers 1xWB 1xBS
2 SF ele's
1 Incoming EF Para
1 Divert Hexes
1 Blight or RC
1 Water Runner

All female chars ofc, preferably as revealing armour as possible.

2 Mesmers (in enchanters armour ofc) with Esurge/SP would work to but you'd need warriors to go with that and female warriors don't have anything "skanky" in their wardrobe :-(

kekekekeke

That has to do with the vision of the original artist(s) I am a big proponent of the original intent of art. The motif of games is very important. It make games stand out and gives them flavor & distinction. This includes not only the options, but the limitations.

I think Guild Wars' unique style is very important (and very good) This doesn't mean everything is perfect. And it doesn't exclude variation, but I think things should (visually) continue to fall within the framework of world they created. Many people don't care, or simply want "more everything" But I respect the artists restraint more than the option of no limitations.

I honestly feel the Male Elementalists visual style is weak, even within the framework of the game. There are npc characters & elements that make for a better elementalist style than what they have, and I think the Ancient is starting to head that way.

i do understand why some people would want to change the armor of the eles, but on the other hand i don't. i think that if the person wants to spend money to look a certain way then that is up to them, and if some people don't like it, then blow it off and continue with your life. it is not affecting you in any serious way. unless your eyes are going to blow out of your head because you looked at something that looks so "skanky".

What's with the flaming? If someone thinks one way about armor isn't that their opinion? Some guys don't like women to wear something skanky, some guys don't care, and some guys like it. I'm one of those who is on the border of not liking it and don't care. I have a fiancee of two years too, so I'm pretty sure I'm not gay...

I agree that both a unique style and the artists intentions are important. However, Guild Wars is a collaborative effort and exists in an industry that depends on sales. In being what it is, and I think ArenaNet does a very good job of this, the game also should be receptive to the feedback of the players. You, I, and a numerous other people feel that visual style is weak in some areas. Other people love it. I'm not so bold as to say I want more of everything or that I want them to go back and change anything. What is already, is. But as with any art, the designs in Guild Wars are open to constructive criticism. As with any "artist", and I use the word loosely because ArenaNet is a collective instead of an entity, the producers ultimately get to make the decision of what to do with that criticism. For me, I hope that they will re-evaluate the framework in which they design their armors, and offer new options for some of the designs in the future.

Additionally, we previously mentioned the transition from concept art to 3D models. Obviously I am not so naive as to think they will be identical, but occasionally I feel that the art jobs are rushed or that the effort put into them was subpar. Some concepts genuinely look superior to how they actually appear in game. I've seen pictures of elementalist armor that looked much better on paper than they did in game... or look maybe at the Exalted Aegis shield? It's a beautiful design, and a great end-of-game item, except that they made it a single flat texture that shows on both the front and the back! The result is, unfortunately, a shield that looks like you're holding a sheet of printed tin-foil. I would concede that, on occassion, the framework may not be the problem, but the effort put into making the original vision into the final work... though I would still very much love to see action on the three points I laid out in the first entry.


I realize that this thread has been caught in the "whether or not to wear provocative armor" debate for awhile now, but I'd like to reiterate that the original purpose of this thread was to discuss the limitations and future directions that ArenaNet could (hopefully) take in the future in regards to armor design.

I do agree that it's nobody else's business what a particular player likes to equip their own character with.


Sounds sensible to me.

I vote in favor of more diverse armor options (which are more able to be interchangeable) and the ability for the players to choose whether their character is more fantastic (pajama-armor) or realistic (armor-armor). I have no problem with this stuff existing as long as there are alternatives, but I can sympathize with those who are a bit annoyed by the fact that everyone in the game looks like a freaking supermodel. Ergo, I also think that we should be able to chose the body type of our character (allowing players to choose between endomorph, exomorph, and mesomorph; right now male characters are restricted to the third and females to the first).

Oh yes, and the option to not have your necromancer hunch; is that really that hard to implement? It would make the Elonian necromancers look slightly less...gross (that's imho, but it's an option here).

Right on a ndy. I agree with most of what you said, and you said so much I can't even remember what I was going to disagree with you on.

Personally I think more variety would be good. As said, more ele armors that arent skin tight and such. That one concept art which was posted earlier was very nice and, minus the cape perhaps, make a great ele armor.

About the deal with the scantily clad stuff. IG, I think they should add more covered armors but keep a few provocative armors as well. Again, its vareity. A choice. Something many classes dont have . IRL I agree with what a ndy said about it. All my friends dress that way, and maybe it makes some people uncomfortable because of some social or sexual disorder or shyness, but I dont mind it. Its the normal now.

True, and how they descide what is valid input is part of keeping to that theme. I was lucky enought to get picked for my Gavel of the Nephilim design, and a big part of that (I think) was how well it fit into the design. I had to change my style somewhat to fit what was already in the game. Whereas I normally have a more exaggerated, anime style, I scaled back and used some of the sculpture elements from GW concepts.

I certainly agree that there can be a place where the arists & the people meet and they say "welcome to our world, what would you like to see in this place". Also I trust the artistic vision of Anet more than the general public. In the US we have drunken college idiots, whiney rich 13year olds & the occasional thinker giving their input.

This creates an environment where many people's input has the creative juice of a rock giving sway over the game, so you have to pick and choose who you listen to. The common visual motif of the game is the perfect middleground, and you can go from there. That's why I feel you can't just have any kind of design. Change & variation is great, but the design of the game needs some common ground or it'll go all over the place. So I say stick with the theme, and enjoy the different tones & hues of the world, without comprimising the world as a unified whole.

Um... actually I think you might have misinterpreted my piont. I don't think that people that don't approve of dressing that way suffer from any kind of disorder. In fact, all my friends dress quite modestly. But, you are right that I don't really think it matters either way. People have the right to choose and decide for themselves.


There's a lot of meat here, and I don't know if I can really give a just response to it. I have to say, the direction of armors in the game is something that I feel quite strongly about as I've been hoping to see some changes for a long time.

You're right that Guild Wars has a unique visual style. Even pushing the boundaries, there are places that it can't go. It can't go to a cartoony World of Warcraft style. We can't switch over and have a cel-shaded item randomly inserted. But I do think there is room for change. Room to push the boundaries out farther than they are and to appeal to more people (myself included) then it currently does.

Sure there are a lot of people out there who might not be qualified to make suggestions, but then maybe they are. In any case, I trust that ArenaNet can weed through the good ideas and the bad, or at least try.

I was very impressed to hear that your Gravel of Nephilim was chosen... that's a great accomplishment, and I applaud you for it. Still, I can't help but wonder if they really wouldn't have chosen it had you not scaled it back.

I really think that the art can still be pushed farther or in different directions without compromising the unity of the world that ArenaNet has created. Weapons that are more exaggerated can still work within the context of the visual style, like the huge and coveted hammer Vera, or perhaps something a touch bigger and more ornamented than a Fellblade. If they implemented your elementalist armor (even without the cape, since GW already has Guild capes and two capes would likely not work) and it really looked like that, I certainly would be more motivated to make an elementalist.

But really, I think in a world as playful as one where people can dress up as Candy Corn and be under the influence of "The Avatar of Sweetness", we can break or at least push the current limits of armor design without destroying the integrity of the game's artistic vision.

There certainly room for ridiculous designs. Heck the Gavel of the Nephilim wasn't even 'supposed' to be that small. I think we agree there is room for change and branching out, I just tend to be a bit more cautious about it. I think the Necro Ancient is a case where they went crazy with an idea and it looks plain silly. I also notice how some npc have the most awesome looking armor: (Duke Barradin, General Morgahn, Margrid the Sly, Koss, Kormir) I really look forward to getting armor for my characters, it's one of my personal goals in the game. To outfit my characters the way I want them in function, but even more so visually. I did feel like NF was kind of a let down in that area, and noticed less armors available than previously, but the new Elite location & armor options have me intrigued. I felt the quality of the armor style is week on quite a few of the new armor sets.

I agree wholeheartedly. That's why the whole issue of improving or expanding the types of armor that exist in areas where there's nothing I like, and where the sentiment is widespread among others (despite the large number of armors available), is important to me.

Caution is fine. I think as long as things progress, it'll make me happy. I liked the armors in Prophecies (and you're right, I'd definitely like to get my hands on Duke Barradin's armor), but after that there were very few things that impressed me. There certainly are some ridiculous things out there. And I think there are a lot of places future designs could go that are more innovative, more attractive, and less ridiculous than those things.

I have to admit though, it would have been nicer if they made your hammer bigger.

Half of my characters are women and the rest men characters, I think I would get bored of playing all too simular characters, and unless it is a character I can relate to, I would rather have some eye candy. I certainly did go with female ritualist with exotic armor, I barely ever play it, but it looks good in the line up :P

I will say that some more attrative... or actually, impressive armors should be made for the male characters. There are some elementist pants which arn't super skin tight...... well, maybe not really. I could definently see them wearing much looser fitting closes, but, I mean, they basicly stapled dork on their forhead with that dance, I feel that was the identity they wanted for it. I ironicly, if they every improve enough elementist skills to bring me back to the class, I will probably delete my first character and make a female elementist, just because the male one is just pathetic.

As for the asymetrical armor, I feel it is natural among combat classes. The Ranger holds his bow in one hand, and fires arrows in the other, the Warrior wields his swords in one hand, and a shield in the other, the different hands denote different functions, and likewise different functions also apply to the armor. It is rather realistic IMO. Reguardless though, they could definetly stand to provide some alternatives for those who want symetrical armor, reguardless of which Anet designers perfer, they should be doing their duty by providing alternatives for everyone.

If feel that, with the selectable armor specs and insignias, the armor selections are rather flexible, allowing players to pick whichever they want with the specs they want, so it is pretty flexible already, but as there will be more armors, and there are diverse interests, so meeting as many as possible is just a smart move. There are plenty of people who enjoy the armor they already have, and with insignias on new armors, many of them can be switched around liberally without buying several sets, so people who like what they have, are already accounted for.

Personally..... I am more interested in having personally customized capes, and options which cover the shoulders, and/or cover the front as well. Capes arn't really desirable if you can't match it to your characters armor and style, if they arn't custom, than hide cape will continue to be a favorite option, making this feature pretty worthless.

i agree there is a definite lacking of armor choices and some professions armor need better variety.