Anyone remember...

...when having a particular set of non-obsidian armor meant something about your character?

I was looking at new armor for my warrior the other day, and it dawned on me that all the armor types had the same enchantment!

...I didn't pay attention when Insignias were introduced...but why were they introduced in the first place?

I started buying a suit of 15k Gladiator armor for my W/E because at that time, Gladiator armor's inherent enchantment was a boost in your total amount of Energy. (ie, a built-in Radiant Insignia) By the time I'd gotten the whole set, two pieces had no inherent effect (aside from +20 against physical) so I had to spend MORE money to get what had been included in the package when I chose to buy it.


Can someone explain to me why Insignias were introduced, and inherent armor enchantments were killed?

so we can look like we want, instead of being stuck in the same armor even if you hate it

Because it's better this way.

Now, we can wear Ascalon armour or them snazzy monk tattoos without being forced to use a shit inherent bonus.

Why?

1. Because now you can have a working PvP item creation panel.
2. Because it's the system used in PvP.
3. Because makes it easier to change armor properties to enter PvP with a PvE character.
4. Because inherent variable properties suck. The only inherent properties should be those that are part of the base of the item.
5. Because it's more versatile.
6. Because now you don't say "Hey, I'm weak against holy!" or "I'm resilient to fire" just because you wear an armor you like.
5. Because there are more than 200 armor sets, and now you don't have to pay twice after paying for one of them.
6. Because most insignia are so cheap that I could laugh, and anyone can afford them.
Etc, etc.

Same goes for inscriptions.

Amen, brother.

So that ebayers don't have an advantage over skilled players?

Technically the so-called enchantments were never removed. They were simply converted to insignias. Ever noticed that the insignias now offered MATCH the former inherent enchantments?

Basically they took off the inherents, and allowed us to use the enchantment of our choice as opposed to being forced with what it comes with. And also, by doing this, they reduced the cost of said armor as well. Best move they ever made - I loved my Saintly, but Id have rather had extra energy. Now, I've got that. And my Saintly.

Oh, yes. I forgot the low-armor awesome decrease in price.

Non-perfect armors can be bought for almost nothing now.

I very much remember wanting a set of Glad's for the e-bonus but deciding I didn't want my male warrior looking like a bondage porn reject. Due to lack of materials & money at the time he ended up with a weird combo of wyvern's body & legs, platemail gauntlets, and knight's boots (for the universal damage reduction, something else I remember) with several changes of helmet. I also remember the changes in Factions allowing different bonuses for the same armor type, then the inscription system in NF, then the retroactive application of inscriptions to Prophecies. All good things IMHO.

Becasue the old way sucked .

If you wanted good mods, chances are you had to look like a gaint chicken or like everyone else :/.