Upgrade the Obsidian/FoW Armor graphics?

Hi everyone.

I'd like to ask Arena Net if they could upgrade the Obsidian/FoW armor so that they look better.
My observations on the FoW armor:

• Some of them are plain (rangers and female mezmer).

• Some colors aren't shown correctly when dyed black like elementalists.

• Some of them look similar to normal armor (assassin, monk, paragon).

• Some of them are fully colored when dyed black which is great (assassins).

• The only ones so far I like are Ritualists and Dervish because they have cool details, although Paragon and Assasins are mediocre too.

• It looks to me that the newer professions have better graphics then the old ones, while regular armor that old ones have look better then FoW and for a lot less cost.

Because of they high cost it would be logical if they were the best looking armor out there. Many gamers would like these upgrades so that they can proudly wear FoW armor and tease others how the look better in it, giving the rest motivation to do better in the game.

Here's the list of good and bad FoW armor graphics (my opinion):

• Warrior - Looks good, although I'd rather go for Primeval (more detailed).

• Ranger - Factions and NF armors pwn FoW

• Monk - These are quite good looking although I'd put few more details and possibly paint the white undyed part black for all those black lovers like myself

• Necromancer - I like the spikes coming from male's body, but that's it. Female is mediocre although I'd go for any NF armor rather then FoW.

• Mesmer - Wow female mesmers look terrible! The awfulness can be compared to Canthan armor. Needs a major upgrade! Male FoW reminds me of ranger armors. Both need a major upgrade!

• Elementalist - They look quite good except for that color thing. Since my main character is an Ele I could live with that graphics but not the colors. Can't dye it black and I get a normal purple color. Can you please fix this glitch or whatever it is? Me and every ele out there would appreciate it.

• Assassin - I love how the Black dye looks on this armor. It pwns although the graphics looks like any other Sin armor. Some work needs to be done there

• Ritualist - So far this is the BEST FoW armor graphic out there. I would just change the colors of the parts maybe to look darker?

• Dervish - I like the balls that are hanging, but the rags are just normal. Any details on them? *pokes at Primeval, Elite & Ancinet Armors*

• Paragon - Dyed black it looks terrible, while some others bright colors look good on it like Red, Yellow, etc... The graphics are good and detailed.

Please post all your comments and your observations about it and let's hope that it's possible to upgrade.

Here's the thing, they made a minor update once. People said it was good, people said it was bad. Largely the response seemed to be "this isn't what I bought" regardless of whether they liked it or not. (i.e. for many people change = bad)

I'll just add a little note so those who worship FoW armor can skip my post.

It is a status symbol. That's it. Whether it looks good to you or not is secondary. One would HOPE it looks good, as to me it is a waste of time/money otherwise (though, I rarely play games for status), but it is primarily intended as a gold sink and a status symbol. ("I've obtained this unreasonable amount of resources. Look at me!")

This is why E-baying and the "gimme" generation completely act counter to such a device. Just because "it's cool" or "I want it" doesn't mean you should simply have it. Work for it, it is SUPPOSED to take time...

As I said above, one would hope, but that is a secondary result.

And many would complain, such is human nature.

Although you probably mean tease in the harmless sense, what actually happens is "WTF n00b? My FoW armor pwns you!" And that's actually a quote sadly... Strangely enough, I find many people who have FoW armor are called n00bs as well.

It's the same thing that happened almost instantly when mini-pets were allowed in towns. I saw spams of "my (whatever) pwns you n00b!"

And another thing, what type of "expensive" armor you have does not indicate your skill level in the game, simply that you farm. So more expensive armor does not encourage one to "do better" as the ability to beat the game is not linked to farming.

I'm going to breeze over most of your other observations, but there's just one thing I wanted to comment on...

Then why don't you? I mean seriously, ask yourself, are you in it for the look or the status? If you want a good look, just get the damned Primeval Armor.

If you want status? Hell, a black blob would suffice, the whole point is just to be noticeable. Granted a black blob isn't entirely ascetic, but it accomplishes the goal of being an eye-catching status symbol.

---

I know you may want your cake and be able to eat it too, but you have to realize, that for every change that is implemented, there will be a score of people who oppose it. You have to ask yourself, who's opinion on the armor is more valid? You may want the change, but for all those who have already bought it and enjoy it... what are they to do when/if it's changed?

Honestly, if the skin you like is already in existence, just get that one and enjoy the cheaper price tag.

Black dye screws with the detail on pretty much all armors, FoW is no different. Makes armor looks all pixellated...

ranger armors are boring as hell, but I love the mesmers fow armor.

agree

monk and paragon look similar to normal armor? never. well monk is not that impressive but there is no other sexy top

I agree that some FoW armors are starting to look old compared to some new armor arts. I don't think they have to change the look of the armors itself, but they could add more details: like much more polygons, or sharper textures.

That could help not to make them look 2 years old IMHO

Making FoW armor totally customizable would be a good solution, but a hard one to implement. Add stuff that u like on it, remove the stuff you don't like... Like that's gonna happen lol.

Well to me it represents the effort in getting it, hours and hours spent farming so that I can finally get it.

I agree with that e-bay. I didn't refer to those kind of people. I ment the ordinary people who farm.

Beating the game has nothing to do with it. By "motivation" I ment hours spent in farming and creating new farm builds - not just for UW and FoW.

Well the thing is that Primeval costs 80k while FoW 1mil - there's the difference. And it's quite familiar that better "status" people get easier into groups and those who farmed they way towards FoW armor would be a lot more experienced then others just because of the hours spent in PvE

I agree with this, but it's not just status. It's just a part to show that you're good at this game just like buying million worth weapon, or a minipet, or even a title. It's not just show-off. It's something great that you achieved - not talking about e-baying.

Well I assume their graphics would change too.

Well thanks a lot for your comments I really appreciated it.

IMHO, the only armor that need re doing is female mesmer armor, but this would consider chagind all the female mesmer armors because all have the same problems and mesmer FoW has the worse problems.

R Fow and Me For are the only one for me. They have deatails, you dont see them fully unless you wear it!!!!!!!!!!

Mabay there should be some kind of trader that can upgrade old fow to new fow?

either way i think it needs a reselotion upgrade or somthing close in they tend to look very pixilated so others - no matter how they look - will just be nicer cus of rez. i guess every proph armor has this problem.

The problem with Obsidian Armor is that it's CORE which means it should be adjusted to the current need. Proph armor are only in Proph campaign and if they don't like it they have 30 other different to choose from at the same price, while obsidian is one of a kind and worth 1mil. With this reason it should be treated as special armor

i personally dislike all of the obsidian armour sets, and as a result wouldnt waste my time even trying to gain a set, so a visual upgrade would maybe sway me into trying to get a set but tis unlikley, however id back an upgrade anyway.

As for the status thing since there is so much ebay gold sold, how can you tell some1 who used ebay from some1 who earned it? theyll both say they played for AGES to gain it so how can you tell with out somekind of money earned title?
All of my characters besides my assassin (thats 9) have at least 1 set of 15k armour, some people could say, "I bet you just ebayed for it all" While i know for a fact I didnt, how am I to proove them wrong? ive got no proof that I didnt ebay for it, all i have is the knowledge that I bought it legitimatly though hours of farming.
I mean Congrats to those who actually put the time in and earned their FOW armour but how are you to tell the Real ones from the Ebayers? The status of the FoW armor is pretty meaningless if people can just buy it off ebay.


Simply put, i go for armor based on looks, Since there are so many ebayers out there the status of armours is meaningless to me, I wouldnt choose a guy in FoW over a guy in 1.5k Knights simply because he has that armor, for all i know he could of only been playing the game for a couple of weeks/months and have hardly any skills. If the Obsidian armor were to look better then perhaps id think about buying/grinding for it.
so in mycase, a visual upgrade would get a /Signed from me.

I will never have FoW armor, so it doesn't truly concern me, but this sounds like the best idea. It will eliminate almost all complaining.

Well the e-bay this is a different issue. I'm just talking about the upgrades which would be nice. The money isn't issue here just the FoW armor graphics. There are still those who earn they way in and yet Obsidian Armor can't be attached to PvP characters so this is why some aren't interested in it, but those who PvE a lot are.

And I dunno if you will agree but for 1mil spent (eather way) I'd like to have a good looking armor to wear, just like the weapon skins.

Let FoW go to its grave. It hasn't be the best looking armor on the block for ages, and there's no way to revive it now. Anything Anet might attempt would only create thread after thread of bitching.

The people who continue to buy it just want it because it's a "status" symbol, even when status just means "idiot who paid far too much to look like crap."

Thanks for your opinion Kamikaze

As others have stated, FoW is more about status than actual looks. Some people think Male warrior FoW is awesome looking, while others hate it. It all comes down to personal preference. It would be hard for Anet to design an armor that everyone likes, now wouldn't it?

If the ranger armors in Factions does look better than FoW, why not just simply buy that armor? If you're in it for the looks, you'll save some money buying plain factions armor rather than FoW.

/notsigned

I'd say that as more campaigns are released, there will be more armors available and people's opinions of armors are different. One person might see the 1.5k armor as being nicer than fow; another might see fow as an unbeatable coolness. If we ask them to remake armors from one crafter; we may as well ask them to remake all the armors.

It just seems ridiculous to ask them to remake all the armors every time a new campaign comes out 'cause some people think the new armors look better than the old ones. If you already bought the armor, then you must have liked something about it and there's no reason for you to stop liking it just 'cause there are some new ones now. If you were thinking about buying the armor but want them to be altered first, perhaps consider just buying a different armor that fits your taste as is.


One of the worst reasons for anything I've ever heard.

My personal opinion of male warrior FoW armour in particular is that it's fkin hideous, I wouldn't mind if they changed that, at least. because it's supposed to be a status symbol of wealth, dedication and at the least for aesthetics, but instead it's ghastly. All of the others to me are pretty much OK, if as you say a little plain, but there's nothing that can be done for them as stated by Kamikaze, whom I agree with.

I agree some of the fow armor is too plain, and it doesnt demand the price of 15k + shards + ectos from me. but there are always others who like the armor, its a personal preference

there is a TON of detail in the armor, but in a town or outpost you just don't see it. Take male mesmer, for example. Dyed old black, there are little glimmers all around the armor, and very shiney obsidian buttons, spikes on the gloves, ect ect. And I like it the most out of all my armors, so there.

I kinda agree with Kamikaze, as although FoW armor is a status symbol in some ways and some people that have it brag about it, and it doesn't mean they're any better than some guy in 1.5k Droks armor and most other armors pwn FoW ones anyway in the looks department anyway
Like the warrior FoW armor, the helm looks ok but thats it rlly
Primeval on the other hand looks pretty awesome, and you can dye it and the dye actually stands out
If FoW armor was changed then people would still be arguing, because some ppl would like the new look, whereas others would complain they liked the old one so it would be a bit of a two sided argument really

I don't agree at all. As said its all about personal preference. You don't like fow armour fine don't buy it, no ones trying to make you. I personally don't like a lot of the fow armours myself, and I agree SOME people may buy it for a status symbol. However, I've been playing the game for almost two years and have been saving on/off for a set of female mesmer armour because I love the way it looks, not because I want status and to say 'Look at me!'

So Its unfair to adapt 'Idiot who paid far too much to look like crap' to people who continue to buy it- as some ACTUALLY genuinely LIKE the armour therefore will save up for it.

wow congrats you are the first person and i have heard say that i agree mesmer are underated in so many ways

I think that it would be nice so that people with older sets of armor were renamed to Obsidian armor, and all of the upgrades were turned into insignias so they could be changed or upgraded. Sucks to have FOW on as many characters as I do and sometimes I end up using secondary pieces of armor from nightfall so that I can have insignias. The most expensive armor in the game, should be just as good as other armor AND look better. As for changing the looks, you can't do it. I won't sign that for the one reason stated in the second post. You can't make everyone happy and if it was changed, that's not what I bought.

Looking better is subjective, I'm sure obsidian armor looks the best to someone already but it's impossible to make an armor that looks the best to everyone.

KamikazeChicken speaks truth. I myself have 15k Elite Sunspear Armor for my Female Monk. A lot of people say it looks retched. I, however, absolutely adore it. To me, armor is personalization. If you think FoW armor looks cool, go for it! As for me, I like stuff that looks shiny. >.>

i think if they want to do something about fow armor, just add more choice for fow design. make 5 different design for fow... that will be better imo. more choice for fow...

people may purchase if they like one of the design, or just leave it if they find all of that fow armor design sucks ......^^;

Yup that would be me and my vabbian armour.
Seriously, I spent way too much on that armour and I think it looks like crap compared to, say, elite sunspear.
I actually wear my elite sunspear instead, the vabbian is just for Grotto parties

I think the ranger FoW needs a major update. The female version looks like the collector version from Prophecies.
Even though I'll never spend 1 mil FoW I think that some of the designs need an update. But again, people would start complaining threads and say "That's not what I payed for!".
My opinion doesn't really count here, since I'll never get a set

/signed for updating monk vabbian armour!! (/end sarcasm)

sucks if you bought armour because you liked it then it was changed to something totally different...

i buy fow armour because i like it and only on chars i play on often. people when they see my war are like wtf are you doing in 1.5k armour you should buy fow. i refuse to buy fow armour on a char i dont like to play with or to look 1337.

FoW is for status, so the looks aren't as important. Though I do think that a lot of them are a bit dated now. I don't like the look for most of them really. My mains a warrior. Unfortunately, he's male. So looks like a black pine cone. For me, kurzick armour and the reskin sunspear armour beats it hands down. Which is a pity, since the female warrior FoW is probably the best looking FoW for me. The female mesmer comes a close second. Especially when died black

You say that people buy FOW just for status but I don't agree. I bought monk FOW because I absolutely adored it the first time I saw a female monk with FOW. Wouldn't really have mattered if it was 1,5 k armour. I would've still bought it. And I don't really think that I'm better than anyone else because I have FOW.

I have to agree that the armours should really look better than the others. Personally, I prefer the ascended imperial assassin armour to the obsidian, as it simply looks like a cross between Kurzick and Seitung.

I actually find the obsidian armor to be fairly low-res as opposed to most newer armors. It may've been that they tried to add too much detail to it and it couldn't properly be rendered.

Besides the textures, I don't think the armor should be updated at all. I'm sure the reasons are apparent: This is just how it is. If you don't like it, it doesn't matter. Personal preferance.

Back on to the textures: As much as I'd like to see an update to them, it would benefit very few and would make only the elitists happy. I doubt we'll ever see the armor changed.

Precisely why I'm going to buy female mesmer fow armour, cos In my opinion its just damned pretty! I'd have bought that armour if it was 1.5k armour, 15k, vabbian armour, whatever; fow ISN'T all about status because It is actually possible to buy this armour because you *like* the way it looks and for me personally its not an ego thing at all.

>_>
monk primeval armor male also Some colors aren't shown correctly for exmaple purple red etc is shown faded out and when i put purple on the head gear it turn green and the black dye need the most work. Dont even show the good graphics of the black dye again faded black unlike others and. Heh even the 1.5k armor look better than this 15k armor

Yea its a personal preference on the kind of FoW armor, i guess they could upgrade some graphics but then people who have it may not want it anymore, so i would want it to stay the same.

Dude, wtf? What kind of person are you if you think that you are somehow better if you have expenessive stuff? If you have FoW armor, you AREN'T good. You just have too much free time, and instead of spending it on something usefull, like doing missions, playing PvP, or talking to your friends, you spent it on hours of farming so you can get that stupid armor that isn't even looking as you would wish. It goes same with titles... What kind of retard would be proud on his sweet tooth/drunkard/any other title that can be bought? It just shows you have money. Now, if you want a title to show your SKILL how about you go for Guardian title, or something that actualy requires some skill and planing?

Whoa! So very very /notsigned! if you're talking about retroactive changes to the art.

If you don't like the FoW art as much as another art - don't buy it! As many people have pointed out, wearing FoW armor is absolutely no indication of your skill to other random players.

I bought my ranger FoW because it was the only ranger armor art that I liked better than the 1.5k sets. I did not, do not, and will not wear or wield anything for the sake of looking "leet" to complete strangers. And I do not accept that anyone else's opinion on the way my armor looks should be able to change it. I'll be nice and just say you're "silly" if you wear expensive armor you don't like just because it's expensive.

The only retro armor update I'm down with would be functionality changes - like prior updates to the bonuses/effects on existing Tyrian sets and an option to make existing Tyrian, Canthan and FoW armor insignable. (My FoW is insignable, but I do feel for the folks that have old sets that aren't, and I'd like my favorite skins for my other characters, mostly 1.5k Tyrian stuff, to be insignable, too. Functionality counts a lot more to me than appearance.)

Adding more skin options to the FoW crafter would be fine, but do not mess with the appearance of the existing armor!

And if they add new arts, I say you should have to buy new sets. No appearance upgrade options before functionality upgrade options. If we can upgrade functionality, then I really don't care if you can upgrade appearance.

most town or outpost armor looks a lot better but, like everyone else said, FoW armor is for status.

Personally I like the Mesmer and Warrior FoW in general.

Well I agree with changing looks, personally I think most FoW armour looks horrible except the Eles, Monk and Paragon