Factions has brought with it an amazing number of new skins and armor types. It's like digging through a graphics goody bag, everything is awesome. I have just one complaint. Why can't any of the cool skins be for casters?
I beat Shiro the other day and was excited to get a green for my ele. Lo and behold, warriors, rangers and assassins can get distinctive skins with useful items, all of them unique skins. My ele can get... drumroll please... a little stick and a voodoo doll. The exact same stick and discount barbie that all the other caster professions can get. Not only that, but wand/foci combinations are generally a bit weaker then staves IMO thanks to mods like 20% enchantments. If we're going to get the crappy skins, couldn't we at least get useful items?
I've been equally dissappointed with the new armors. Warriors, rangers and assassins get some awesome looking armors. My ele's luxon armor resembles a sweater from the Gap. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice sweater, and I wear it all the time while trekking through the Shiverpeaks, I just feel a little twinge of jealously when I see warriors running around looking like batman or somekind of giant crab.
It even extends to the everyday drops, with the exception of necros. Pretty much all the skins are indistinguishable rocks and sticks. I feel a little inadequate standing next to a warrior with a glowing axe and a shield with lava coming out the mouth while I carry around a big stick.
Anyone else feeling a bit of, well, skin envy?
Why can't my caster be cool looking too?
Dr Strangelove
arcanemacabre
You know, I completely agree. Then again, we do have access to those +5 energy weapons at the endgame, which could be moderately good for a caster (slap on a 20% enchant and you're good to go). Oh and Ritualists have some pretty sweet staff, rod and focus skins.
All the endgame stuff being the Straw Effigy and sticks kinda bothers me. I think when I get the Amulet with my Necro, I'm passing it onto my Warrior, so I can get a sword and shield. Sounds good to me.
All the endgame stuff being the Straw Effigy and sticks kinda bothers me. I think when I get the Amulet with my Necro, I'm passing it onto my Warrior, so I can get a sword and shield. Sounds good to me.
Kha
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Originally Posted by Dr Strangelove
I just feel a little twinge of jealously when I see warriors running around looking like somekind of giant crab.
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It's all a matter of opinion. Personally I think they are about even. There have been some really cool items for warriors with Factions, but the only armor I actually liked was Kurzick. The rest I thought was either lacking in quality or just bored me. But for casters, especially ritualist and elementalist, they got some really awesome armors. Even mesmer armor, a profession I don't play, looks very cool.
I love the Wayward Wand for the end caster weapon, but I admit the Straw Effigy didn't appeal to me. I was mostly disappointed that there were no staves to choose from as I prefer my elementalist to use them instead of a wand and foci.
I think it's that they seem to take more risks with warrior and ranger armor. They use "harder" materials so there's more diversity than just cloth appearance. Of course, whether or not this makes them more desired is debatable, but it just provides a different type of range in appearance that drapery and ruffles can't always compete with.
All I can say is hope chapter 3 has stuff that appeals to you instead.
cosyfiep
I think the eles got nerfed again....the mesmers have the best new armor and the necro stuff looks awsome....even the rangers have a few new choices.........but the eles...uhm, well, at least I wont have to buy new armor for her since she doesnt like any of the new ones (except the shorter shingjing boots).....saves me money at the checkout! (wish my necro didnt like the new stuff, between her and the mesmer....I will be a poor lady soon).
Only other class I didnt see anything good in the armor area was monks tatoos...NONE are new this time.....so another character who wont be changing armor.
Only other class I didnt see anything good in the armor area was monks tatoos...NONE are new this time.....so another character who wont be changing armor.
Jedimagician
you do know you dont HAVE to trade in the amulet for an item if u dunt like it......
like arcane said +5 energy weapons are good for casters and you can get good looking skins like the zodiac axe and oni blade etc...
like arcane said +5 energy weapons are good for casters and you can get good looking skins like the zodiac axe and oni blade etc...
HOXMAN
One thing that i do like about the Elementalist's new armor is the Aura 
it beats a flaming rock on my forhead :P
it beats a flaming rock on my forhead :P
Maxiemonster
Actually, I'm very satisfied with the 15K Canthan Monk armor, so I guess it's just a matter of preference. I also like the doll off-hand, though, the stats don't fit any build I'm currently using, so I'm not going to use it for now. And I love the +5 and -5 Katanas from Factions for my Monk as well, and those are great for casters as well.
And really, do you expect casters to walk around in giant metal armors? I doubt my Monk, with less muscles then my grandma, can ever carry a metal armor.
And really, do you expect casters to walk around in giant metal armors? I doubt my Monk, with less muscles then my grandma, can ever carry a metal armor.
Thom
I really like the Kurzick monk armor, but I'll second the motion with regards to the end of game items.
I am a staff guy, most of my casters only use a focus for gimmicky energy switches. While the strawman is kind of cute, having 15 of them kind of kills it for me. Furthermore, I like a good recurve or horn bow over long and flat (Did I miss the trader with my ranger-spike max vamp hornbow of fortitude?). Warriors seem to be the only winners, which is not suprising given that Shiro is an assassin/warrior type.
If Anet had made a staff, it would have been the obvious choice since a focus or wand is about half the usefulness. As it currently stands, most everyone I know is getting warrior/assassin gear anyhow so why not just make me a green staff.
I am a staff guy, most of my casters only use a focus for gimmicky energy switches. While the strawman is kind of cute, having 15 of them kind of kills it for me. Furthermore, I like a good recurve or horn bow over long and flat (Did I miss the trader with my ranger-spike max vamp hornbow of fortitude?). Warriors seem to be the only winners, which is not suprising given that Shiro is an assassin/warrior type.
If Anet had made a staff, it would have been the obvious choice since a focus or wand is about half the usefulness. As it currently stands, most everyone I know is getting warrior/assassin gear anyhow so why not just make me a green staff.
Cacheelma
Oh please, have you seen MALE mesmer's 15k Canthan's yet?
Luxon's and Kurzick's sets aren't any better either...
And those masks....THOSE MASKS!
ffs!!
Luxon's and Kurzick's sets aren't any better either...
And those masks....THOSE MASKS!
ffs!!
Glitched
I agree 100% on the wand/staff green. If they cant get ones for each class, we should at least get a staff for people like me, who think their character looks rather stupid with a rock-on-a-stick and a piece of old parchment. As for the armor, I must say I am rather satisfied with it. Not blown away, but satisfied.
Stolen Souls
I gotta agree with the ones that are saying the casters didn't get nearly as cool stuff as the "fighters". Warriors and Assassins seem to have gotten the vast majority of the "cool" armor and skins, while the casters didn't get much in comparison (the same skin on all the Straw Effigies, etc). I brought my Warrior over to Cantha ASAP to get ahold of some of the awesome new stuff...but my poor Ele has no desire to even bother. 
LOL 
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| And those masks....THOSE MASKS! |
Ira Blinks
agree with OP. I dont see anything for my ele that would come close fow set and Rago's staff. New armors are okeish, but nothing like warrior ones (15k kurzik female anyone?). New auras are ok to, but i like my old "flaming rock" better.
generik
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Originally Posted by cosyfiep
I think the eles got nerfed again....the mesmers have the best new armor and the necro stuff looks awsome....even the rangers have a few new choices.........but the eles...uhm, well, at least I wont have to buy new armor for her since she doesnt like any of the new ones (except the shorter shingjing boots).....saves me money at the checkout! (wish my necro didnt like the new stuff, between her and the mesmer....I will be a poor lady soon).
Only other class I didnt see anything good in the armor area was monks tatoos...NONE are new this time.....so another character who wont be changing armor. |
For a while I thought being an "asian" themed chapter perhaps we can see more mage like armor for the eles, but what the hell is with all these short skirt rubbish?
jciardha
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Originally Posted by Cacheelma
Oh please, have you seen MALE mesmer's 15k Canthan's yet?
Luxon's and Kurzick's sets aren't any better either... And those masks....THOSE MASKS! ffs!! |
And personally, I also hate the 15K FEMALE Canthan mesmer outfit. It screams plastic furniture, shag carpet and bad 1970s disco, and no one seems to realize just how godawful tacky it is.I'm quite happy with my 1.5K male Kurzick set though. Thank Anet for small favors, and I still have 100K in the bank because I didn't blow it all on armor.
Jetdoc
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Originally Posted by Dr Strangelove
My ele's luxon armor resembles a sweater from the Gap. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice sweater, and I wear it all the time while trekking through the Shiverpeaks.
Anyone else feeling a bit of, well, skin envy? |
Cherno
I like the Canthan 15K female Mesmer. Agree with the greens though, all the same skin, they aren't unique just for the profession but for all.
Another poster above mentioned the +5 energy items and putting a mod on them. I am not sure if he was refering to the endgame ones or not, but if I recall correctly, those are also green and thus can't be modded.
I like that there are now options that are different from the original greens and have max energy, but imo the only one that really stands out as better than the previous greens is the curses wand. +5^50 >>>>>>> +5 while hexed. The others only gain you +2 energy over what you already have and give some stats that others may not care as much about (I'll still take 20/20 over 20/+30 health for my ele and not get the other 2 energy)
But we have options on choices, which is good, lack of unique skins is bad.
As for armor, Eles and Male mesmers have always had blah armor. All throughout the progression of the game they bascially all look the same, and were pretty basic. So it is more of the same.
Another poster above mentioned the +5 energy items and putting a mod on them. I am not sure if he was refering to the endgame ones or not, but if I recall correctly, those are also green and thus can't be modded.
I like that there are now options that are different from the original greens and have max energy, but imo the only one that really stands out as better than the previous greens is the curses wand. +5^50 >>>>>>> +5 while hexed. The others only gain you +2 energy over what you already have and give some stats that others may not care as much about (I'll still take 20/20 over 20/+30 health for my ele and not get the other 2 energy)
But we have options on choices, which is good, lack of unique skins is bad.
As for armor, Eles and Male mesmers have always had blah armor. All throughout the progression of the game they bascially all look the same, and were pretty basic. So it is more of the same.
Mtank325
I think us casters lucked out in Prophecies and got kick ass armor. Grotto's Aeromancer for female elementalists FTW.
I personally think the Rangers are kind of poor. They all look so plain to me. I think I'll stick to my Druid's.
At least you're not the monk class. So few choices there although the 15k Kurzick for female monks doesn't look too shabby to me
I personally think the Rangers are kind of poor. They all look so plain to me. I think I'll stick to my Druid's.
At least you're not the monk class. So few choices there although the 15k Kurzick for female monks doesn't look too shabby to me
Gwenhywar
Well I LOVE my monk's new 1.5k Kurzick (somehow its prettier than the 15k version), and will also be getting her the 15k Luxon as I think it looks amazing. I like both these armors better than her fissure set.
Not sure about necro armors yet, I still think necro (female) fissure is the hottest armor for necros. But eles have some pretty sweet looking armors as well.
I also love the Wayward wand skin (endgame wand), my necro looks awesome with it.
The only new warrior armor that I find really really good looking is the male 15k Kurzick set - way better than male war fissure, and doesnt make them look fat unlike allllll other warrior armors. So I don't know why you're jealous at warrior stuff ...
Of course I'd love some more impressive looking staves, still haven't seen anything I like better than Ghostly staff skin, although plagueborn looks nice on a necro too.
Not sure about necro armors yet, I still think necro (female) fissure is the hottest armor for necros. But eles have some pretty sweet looking armors as well.
I also love the Wayward wand skin (endgame wand), my necro looks awesome with it.
The only new warrior armor that I find really really good looking is the male 15k Kurzick set - way better than male war fissure, and doesnt make them look fat unlike allllll other warrior armors. So I don't know why you're jealous at warrior stuff ...
Of course I'd love some more impressive looking staves, still haven't seen anything I like better than Ghostly staff skin, although plagueborn looks nice on a necro too.
dreamhunk
i would agree with the op. elementals always seem to get the short end of the stick. However I am happy to see there is better armor for elementals.
I also think the vodoo doll should have went to the nac's lol that is one green I don't want. I have all the greens fo far.
I also think the vodoo doll should have went to the nac's lol that is one green I don't want. I have all the greens fo far.
makosi
My mesmer wants an Inspiration Focus (20% recharge, +30hp) and the only one i've seen is the ugly Straw Effigy. Does anybody know where I can find such an item? For all those who are interested, you can buy +5 energy (>50)wands from a crafter outside the Kaineng Center that are identical, in terms of stats, as the greens.
Vermilion Okeanos
Also that all elite mission green are for ranger and warrior...
-Loki-
I personally think the Ranger armour in Factions is garbage, but I love the Elementalist armours.
Gmr Leon
Did the Necromancers get any new cool-looking armor in Factions? If so I may change my mind about which 15k armor I save up for. I'm waiting to see a sort of robe armor that has a depiction of Grenth on the back.
Anywho,dunno about the Elementalists armor,but their higher lvl prophecies armor always looked cool to me.
Anywho,dunno about the Elementalists armor,but their higher lvl prophecies armor always looked cool to me.
Raziel665
With my necro, I miss the hunt for cooler looking gear I have with my warrior. Once you've crafted a wand and focus, its pretty much over. Its hard finding a better looking caster item, and if you do, 90% of the time its not better then crafted items.
Peewee
The problem as i see it is that all the concept arstists love to draw cool looking hammer, swords axes and bows, but who wants to draw staffs? As a result warrior items look awesome, while casters are ;eft with generic skins dyed a different colour.
Spazzer
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Originally Posted by Dr Strangelove
Not only that, but wand/foci combinations are generally a bit weaker then staves IMO thanks to mods like 20% enchantments.
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The only incentives I can see for getting a staff now is to save inventory space (which I do like to do).
Raptox
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Originally Posted by makosi
My mesmer wants an Inspiration Focus (20% recharge, +30hp) and the only one i've seen is the ugly Straw Effigy. Does anybody know where I can find such an item? For all those who are interested, you can buy +5 energy (>50)wands from a crafter outside the Kaineng Center that are identical, in terms of stats, as the greens.
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I've only seen foci that do either
20/20 faster cast/recharge
or
Insp+1 (20%) / HP+30.
Not a mix and match.
Someone prove me wrong, though, please. I'd rather be able to mix it up.
Mr_T_bot
We all know that if they didn't duplicate the straw effigy and whatever wand for each skill line of each caster profession people would be pissing and moaning about the fact only x attribute line of y profession can use the Item Contest winners' item.
The only complaint I have is that their bonuses are the exact same. Instead of 20/20 cast and recharge, they are both 20 recharge, or whatever it is they are, I just know they are the same.
The only complaint I have is that their bonuses are the exact same. Instead of 20/20 cast and recharge, they are both 20 recharge, or whatever it is they are, I just know they are the same.
Dave83
I too am outraged! How come my mesmers spikes on his FoW armor are so small compared to a nec or eles. My guildies keep saying 'Dont worry about it man, its not the size that counts' but I cant help fealing inadequate!
Dr Strangelove
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Originally Posted by Mr_T_bot
We all know that if they didn't duplicate the straw effigy and whatever wand for each skill line of each caster profession people would be pissing and moaning about the fact only x attribute line of y profession can use the Item Contest winners' item.
The only complaint I have is that their bonuses are the exact same. Instead of 20/20 cast and recharge, they are both 20 recharge, or whatever it is they are, I just know they are the same. |
As for the +5 swords, well that's a warrior skin, and it's the exception that proves the rule. I'd love to see some skins drawn for staves and foci, any young budding artists feel like contributing anything?
Lepton CFd
I think the new ele armors are all right. They aren't as good as some of the new armors, but they are ok. THe Warriors, as someone said before, only really have one new cool set of armor, which is the Kurzick armor (my personl opinion). However, I think the new ele armors are adequate, and all I can say is just to hope for some better armor with Chapter III!
Phoenix Denfer
The 15K Luxon Ritualist is an excellent design, and I'll be working toward getting that for "mah gurl" when I can get back to playing her. Right now, I'm pushing my ranger through to Cavalon where I'll just get the 1.5K luxon armor.
I decided against 15K for her because frankly, I can't seem to like it enough to justify it. The 1.5K looks more in line with my current 15K druid and even has some elements of the female 15K gladiator if you look at the leggings. It also looks a lot lighter and easier for a ranger to move in. Now I realize that point is moot, but come on...for a class that is suppose to be "out there with nature" I have never understood the over clad look, expecially for men. Druid may be all about the energy, but the men look like they should be attending board meetings instead of hunting monsters. Dunno, maybe to they art team a board meeting and monsters are the same thing?
I decided against 15K for her because frankly, I can't seem to like it enough to justify it. The 1.5K looks more in line with my current 15K druid and even has some elements of the female 15K gladiator if you look at the leggings. It also looks a lot lighter and easier for a ranger to move in. Now I realize that point is moot, but come on...for a class that is suppose to be "out there with nature" I have never understood the over clad look, expecially for men. Druid may be all about the energy, but the men look like they should be attending board meetings instead of hunting monsters. Dunno, maybe to they art team a board meeting and monsters are the same thing?
Mr_T_bot
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Originally Posted by Dr Strangelove
Ok, so duplicate it within the class, that's not a big deal. It really grinds my gears that so much work went into skins for 3 professions and everyone else gets the same thing - a dumb old wand and hunk of straw. Keep in mind, you can only get one of the things, not a complete set.
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Dr Strangelove
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Originally Posted by Mr_T_bot
Nice deduction there Sherlock, soon you will tell me the world is round. You entirely missed my point. There were not 25 different design winners of caster items in the contest. There were two. And there are roughly 20-25 different attribute lines among the casters. If only one profession or attribute line got to use the contest winner items, you would be pissing and moaning about that.
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We couldn't have, say, a unique stave for each caster class? That's 1 item for each class... still a little unfair but at least a bit better and more useful. I never said that casters should only get one green with one attribute, I'm not stupid, please don't imply I said anything I didn't.
Lalita
I dig the Luxon Necro armor, and the MM armor is nice 
Seems to hold a bright dye color really well.
I personally also like the harem girl look of the 1.5 and 15k Luxon. Though I have to agree that the Asian Mr. Robot look that the Mes got doth suck.
Seems to hold a bright dye color really well.I personally also like the harem girl look of the 1.5 and 15k Luxon. Though I have to agree that the Asian Mr. Robot look that the Mes got doth suck.
Bahumhat
Warrior 15k Canthan looks like crap to me, So i'll be buying 15k Kurzick .
I although love the ranger 15k Canthan, and I already have all the materials(took around 15plat for the materials)
I'm not sure if i've seen the 15k Canthan armor for my necro yet, but I'm hoping.
I although love the ranger 15k Canthan, and I already have all the materials(took around 15plat for the materials)
I'm not sure if i've seen the 15k Canthan armor for my necro yet, but I'm hoping.
Whispering Siren
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Originally Posted by Mr_T_bot
The only complaint I have is that their bonuses are the exact same. Instead of 20/20 cast and recharge, they are both 20 recharge, or whatever it is they are, I just know they are the same.
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Mr_T_bot
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Originally Posted by Dr Strangelove
This is what I was complaining about. 2 items for 5 classes /= to 7 items for 3 classes. (Or 4 items for 1 class, either way) Of course I would be complaining if I could only get, say, a water magic focus. That would be even worse. But who's to say there couldn't have been a few more entries/winners for classes which comprise a huge percentage of the game? Can no one come up with anything better looking than a rock on a stick? Great, I'm happy that your warrior can have many more cool looking skins, why the h-e double hockey sticks can't I have one?
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| We couldn't have, say, a unique stave for each caster class? |
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| That's 1 item for each class... still a little unfair but at least a bit better and more useful. I never said that casters should only get one green with one attribute, I'm not stupid, please don't imply I said anything I didn't. |
baz777
I like the Ranger 15k Cantha armour, (female dyed white), which I should get next week.
I’ve been a monk since I bought the game some 9 months ago and have resigned myself to having to walk around holding a ‘broom handle’ (staff).
Being a caster you tend to concentrate more on functionality of your items but I’m sure the game designers can be a lot more imaginative regarding caster items and not just spend all their time on swords/axes/shields etc………….
I’ve been a monk since I bought the game some 9 months ago and have resigned myself to having to walk around holding a ‘broom handle’ (staff).
Being a caster you tend to concentrate more on functionality of your items but I’m sure the game designers can be a lot more imaginative regarding caster items and not just spend all their time on swords/axes/shields etc………….
The Kensai
I've never been any other class really aside from my warrior but i really do feel for you caster types. If anything you guys should have the BEST looking armour being all arcane and that.
It's all well and nie making war/rng/rit/sin's and the rest all looking pretty but give some thought to the other guys plz :P
It's all well and nie making war/rng/rit/sin's and the rest all looking pretty but give some thought to the other guys plz :P