Which is more important - armor appearance or stats?

It might seem to be a silly question, but...

I have two female Necromancer characters, one a level 20 that has made it through all the missions up to Hell's Precipice, and a level 14 that is at the D'Alessio Seaboard mission now.

And basically my only goal in the game now is to collect cool armor for both characters, where looks are much more important to me than stats.

Last nite my level 14 character, Stunning Chimera, did the Gates Of Kryta mission with a couple other guildies. And related to this thread, I made a BONEHEAD, but funny mistake in the mission... I have two sets of halfway decent armor for this stage of the game, AL30. But around town, I like wearing the AL7 Collector Tunic I picked up in pre-searing, because it plunges so low while it lifts and separates, and it's so dang hot looking. But, I kind of rushed into the mission when these guys announced they were doing it, and I left the weak armor on. So of course in the very first battle, I'm lying dead on the ground, wondering how I went down so quick.
It didn't take long to figure out though.

And that's one of my problems in this game - I'm more interested in looking good than being protected... hehe.

Fortunately, at least for female Necros, the skimpy hot armor is pretty good protection. The best armor late in the game, Droknar's 1.5K armor, Granite Citadel 15K armor, etc., is all 60AL for necros, including the scar pattern set, which looks like leather bikini lingerie from Victoria's Secret. The scar pattern set has an added bonus of providing more energy than any other set, so you could make a case it's actually the best Necro armor.

The Necro armor is all 60AL that is, EXCEPT for the Necrotic armor, which is 70AL. So one of the FOUR armor sets I carry for my level 20 N/R, Siren Danica, is indeed the Necrotic set. Just got it infused last night in fact. So right now, it is the armor I should always wear for the best protection. But I've taken casual polls while dancing it up in different places, and pretty much everyone agrees the Necrotic armor isn't that great looking, at least compared to the other 3 sets Siren has.

I'd say, from the comments I've gotten, the 15K Granite Citadel bonelace set is the most popular, when worn with the really low-cut Crystal Desert Collector's Tunic. For my own tastes, the entire Crystal Desert Collector's set looks like Necromancer formal wear, and I like that a lot!

So what is more important to you all? Looks or stats?

Stats.

Although once I'm top level, have that armour and can use it when I need to, I'll waste the rest of my cash on 15k as intended

Stats then looks. I like having the best looks for the best stats

Stats....but looks influence my decision more than they should.

depends on how hideous the best looking armour is.

e.g. i have saintly armour on my amle monk as judges and ascetic's armour look crap on him, even though either of them two would be a better choice.

As a general rule, looks > stats in pve
and stats > looks in pvp

pve is easy enough anyways that armour doesn't really make much of a difference.

*scratches head* Why do you have 2 female PvE Necromancers?

I happen to like all of the armor types for my primary PvE characters, so I pick based on stats. I have 2 sets of armors for one character.

i only read title and don't need to read the post

its all about the stats. when i see someone wearing full knights armor in pvp or pvei flame the hell out of them till they leave my party. if i'm leader i kick them immediatly. fow armor should have taught people something but they can never get it through thier thick skulls that yes you look good but you die just the same. oh you spent 2.2 mil on a armor that effectively does the same as armor that would have cost you 10k and has no tactical advantage.

most people with fow armor can't play pvp b/c they have spent so much time farming a DUMB AI they don't know how to play a real player.

With all my characters as soon as I get to Droknar I buy the most efficient armour I can, then after trying it on - it always looks ugly as hell, replace it with a prettier but less effective set! I'm so damned vain!

Also, post some screenshots!!

Appearance, I pity people who use scar patterns/tatoos just because they give some laughable energy bonuses.

i go for appearence and stats at the same time. all my chars have 15k armor and i'll soon get fow for the necro. yea i'm a looks freak.

and btw, in pve monk tatoos are actually usefull, specially for UW or FOW. as for necro, i agree the energy bonus on scars is quite useless.

I think stats are more important. But in a game like GWs where stats are supposed to be level out, apperance is more important.

My ranger has 15k armor but a collectors ascalon bow. The armor isnt really any prettier, but its slightly more unique. And the bow is butt ugly but its got the best stats compared to anything I can find or buy.

With warriors the best choice is always gladiator + knight / ascalon helm for damage reduction.

With casters that stay in the back and don't get hit very often it's all moot point, get the prettiest max armor you can. +Energy armor for casters is minimal compared to gladiators on a warrior.

I have a female necro too, and collectors armor is way better than any 15k armor (i'll buy her fissure...necro lady fow armor is absolutely the best imo).

In pve i use always collector (dyed black+red, awesome), because is really nice, but looks like an armor and not like lingerie, and bonuses are not so important.

On my ranger girl I usually use 15k drakenscale (15k druid in uw trapper teams) even in areas where extra defense vs fire is uselss, because it looks cool.

I think stats are not so important in pve (obviously im not gonna use an AL 7 armor in hells precipe ), so I use what looks better.

In pvp stats are more important, so I dont really care about the look (but i will never use scars on my necro).

Why would you choose armor based on appearance? That's like choosing a car based on how cool the bumper looks...

I buy 4 sets of droknars armor for all my PvE characters...each set has it's uses. I don't dye them...I don't feel the need to purchase 15K or FoW armor...this isn't Barbie Fashion Show.

Most definitely. Stats > Looks. If you have the money and ability to buy something that has the same stats and a cooler appearance, then go for it.

Stats first.

If fissure armour had 5 AL more, i would consider purchasing it.

Stats first (up to a point). But sometimes with pain in my heart.

i completly agree... unless some one in lvl 10 ascalon arena offers to buy you 15k platemail-heh

I just get several sets of armor ... so I can swap out depending on my mood or needs. I just have the best of all worlds that way.

You don't think people buy cars based on their appearance? You can't be serious!

yes, you did need to read the post, because you missed the point...

The point was not really about spending a fortune on armor that looks great, but is no better stat-wise, i.e. 15K armor vs 1.5K armor. 15K/FoW armor is basically a status symbol - everyone knows that.

The point was that I have the 70AL Necrotic armor (which cost 8K), but I'd rather wear the 60AL Collector set (which was essentially free), because it looks cooler.

Of course, if I was doing PvP and a team depended on me doing my job, then I'd wear the best armor.

That's a good question.

The answer is that I just like playing the game, and doing the missions/quests. I got a female N/R thru the game, and then went back and re-did some of the early missions, but it wasn't as much fun because there was no challenge doing them with a Level 20 with Droknar's or Granite Citadel armor. So I created a Ranger/Ele. Got that up to Level 13, but I just didn't like playing it as much as the necro. So, I created a new female N/Mo, and have that up to Level 15 now.

Stats, then looks.
The crystal desert collector armor has both.

Importance of stats or appearance is personal preference guys...
That means stats may be more important to one person while it can be less important to another... It's all preference.

And common sense
-If you pvp a lot, are you going to go into the arena with the best looking duds, but with the worst armor level? I DON"T THINK SO....
-If you favor chilling in Marhan's Grotto or the Ice Caves go with the fashion statement!
-If you do both... Then bring TWO sets of armor. If you don't like the idea then too bad buddy...

Why is this even a topic? It's opinionated people! It's like saying "Which one is better? Pepsi or Cola? Sheesh...

A little of both. I will not use an armor that is bad in either one - I don't want to stare at an ugly character for hours nor do I want to die often. Fortunatly guildwars is good in that almost none of the armors are bad stat wise, some fit a play style better than others, but none are bad.

For my monk, I can't tell a diference in stats between any of them. Each one is better in some places, bad in others. The game is varied enough that it doesn't seem to matter. So I generally purchase based on looks only.

For my warrior it is important to have a piece of armor with armor reduction - at different stages of the game this means I sometimes look kinda wierd - furry boots with the rest gladiators armor. Not a big deal, it looks OK. Not sure how bad I would allow him to look for stats.

My ranger, however, is lucky that I like the looks of the druid armor and it fits my playstyle the best.

I don't have any more permanent characters so I can't comment on other profession's armor. Essentially if I can live through everything I want too then looks become more important. Winning is winning - I don't care if it is at 25% health or 80% - at the point I pretty much always win I go for looks. This is true for any game I play.

Such a pitty that the best monk armour for pvp is that all tattoo thing. Do I really have to wonder Guild Halls and the UW in just a shabby looking bikini and some weird tattoos? I guess I do.

Why did you even post that? It is like saying "People are not allowed to argue over which one is better, Pepsi or Cola. Sheesh...

go buy FoW armour then, that looks nice on female monks

I personally find that judge's armour for chest and legs and tattoos on feet and hands works best for pvp when i monk. not as if i ever miss the 6 extra energy, i'd much rather ahve the +10 armour vs physical on the two parts of the body i am going to get hit on the most.

for PvE, it's all about the bling bling

for PvP, i always roll a PvP character, so, stats

for pvp, go for stats


for pve, go for looks. dont litsen to what anyone else tells you, pve is incredibly easy and someone minor as +/- couple of energy wont matter at all.

Look, look all the way, expecially in PvE.

Stats.
I would wear a cow suit and a harlequin crest if that made my chr. stronger!

i will hafta say both...im shallow....although im more to stats

Generally I go for stats then looks... the god thing is, glad's + knight armour go so well together, and actually benefit having bits of two sets on! I have knight's boots and the rest is glad's. This is Drok's armour. I haven't yet seen any 15k / FoW warrior armour so I can't say whether I'll buy them or not. Anyone got a link to images of 15k / FoW warrior armour?

With my ranger I have drok's druids but I kinda like the looks of the 15k set. However I'm poor at the minue and my warrior is the most active character being played at this time....

-Adam

Most newer people go with armor just for it's looks. Maybe, later on, they realize each set of armor has different stats. However, looks are important too. Gotta make an impression.

My female warrior has 2 sets, 15k gladiator armor with an ascalon helm, and 15k dragon armor, with stonefist gauntlets for when I want to bash the hell out of stuff.

My male ranger has 15k drakescale armor, for the added fire protection (and it looks cool), and Drok's studded armor, for PvP.

My monk has 15k tattoos (for the extra energy), and I might get either the 15k Saints or Wanderer armor.

My female elementalist is still low level, but her armor will be just for looks.

Like other people mentioned, it's all up to someone's preference.

Look for me lol. I love my Necrotic set on my necro (it's male tho). Also got Drakescale for my ranger for the looks, but kept the 1.5k driuds if I need it lol. And Saintly.. and the typical Glad/Ascalon Helm.

Both...

If it doesnt look good on my character, I just cant play with it. So I try to get the best looking (15k in some cases) with the best stats.

Best stat stuff first and then when money permits get something that looks nicer. Only real exception so far was male warrior droknar Gladiator's Armour - that was just plain embarrassing to be wearing about...

Amen. The crystal desert collector armor does rule! Especially for the female Necromancer character. Can someone post pics of the various Crystal Desert collector armors, or post the link if they already exist somewhere?

The only problem with the crystal desert collector armor, obviously, is acquiring it. Even if you go the easy route, and buy the items (which is fairly easy to do for the most part in Augury Rock or Amnoon Oasis), then you still have the task of going out and finding the collectors.

If I remember right, it took me about 10 hours one weekend to get the crystal desert set. My goal was to try and get all the items from drops so the set didn't cost me anything, but that is the hard way, and that's why it took me 10 hours.

Here's how you get the Crystal Desert Collector armor (maybe this belongs in its own thread):

Tunic - The tunic guy, Kyle the Rich, wants 5 Losaru Manes. Those are probably the easiest items to acquire from drops. Getting to Kyle (southeast from Amnoon) is a bit of a trip, however, and will likely take a half hour or so, if you're fighting your way.

Boots - There are two boot collectors - one guy wants 5 Massive Jawbones, and the other wants 5 Dune Burrower Jaws. It's pretty hard to get 5 of either of those - I'd recommend just buying these unless you are trying to prove a point. Sir Kaufman (Massive Jawbones) is in the middle of the Arid Sea, and whether you go from Augury Rock or Thirsty River, it's going to take time to get to him. Forget that, and go find Gustov the Silent (Dune Burrower Jaws), who is near Kyle the Rich. Just take off from Amnoon Oasis and get both the Tunic and Boots in one trip.

Gloves - Either 5 minotaur horns or 5 shriveled eyes will get you the gloves - these are both pretty easy to get. In fact, the guy who wants the Horns (Fenster the Golden) is right outside Destiny's Gorge, so once you have the Horns you're all set. So just do it that way.

Leggings - the leggings are either the Dune Burrower Jaws or the Losaru Manes - again, the Manes are easier to get, so use those and find Cedric Rogers in the Scar, right outside of Thirsty River.

And there you go - a top level armor set that arguably looks the best of any set, and it's free.

Well..I would choose Looks over Stats actually to be quite honest.

My Necromancer currently has 3 armor sets (necrotic 15k, Tormentors and the 1.5 Scar pattern). That's because I loved the look of the Necrotic armor. I realise it is only 60 AL but it doesnt really matter much when you are in the back supporting your group.

I do however change armors when i see fit (for different builds etc) or when I know that we are having a real hard mission i'll change to tormentors for the extra AL (although it doesnt really matter much i noticed :\)

Anyhow,

Looks are more important then stats for me

Looks all the way, that's why i use full 15k ascalon on my warrior instead of the ever-popular gladiator's+knight's boots.

i mean come on.. a big 6ft something tall guy who weights about 300 pounds, has a damn metalic bra to protect him from big-ass monsters like hydras and titans..
that just don't make no bloody sense.

[a.net, give warriors a manly armor ffs!]