Guild Wars 2

So on release, I was a little disappointed that ArenaNet decided to divide armour classes in to 3 sub-groups instead of making it per-profession.

Instead of having 8 distinct style lines, we now have 3.

I can understand the thinking behind this from a development point of view (saves time, money and resources). However, from an artistic and even gameplay aspect, this consolidation is doing a dis-service to the game.

Stylistically, all professions in a particular sub group feel samey and generic with rarely any flourishes indicative of a particular profession. For example, it’s very hard to find something that looks distinctively “Engineery”; Mesmers no longer have that Thespian feel they had from the first game.

From a gameplay point of view, it is impossible to identify a profession at a glance thanks to the silhouette indicating one of potentially three professions (2 in the case of Guardians and Warriors).

Now I know it would be difficult, time-consuming and expensive to go back and change the armour system so that each profession had its own unique and distinctive line of armour (not impossible however).

However, I’d like to suggest that ArenaNet implement new sets of gear that are restricted on a per-profession basis rather than per profession sub-group. These would be in addition to the existing sets.

This would require dividing in to 8 professions, 5 races and 2 sexes.
So ideally, 80 new sets.
A lot of work, but it would really help the game stand out and would really improve gameplay, especially PvP.

ArenaNet could take shortcuts in much the same manner they already have done with the existing sets:
Using the same set for Humans, Norn and Sylvari.
Simple resizes of Human sets for Charr and Asura.

But I’d advise against it. It looks cheap and lazy.

I’d like to see a Sylvari engineer look noticeably different to a Charr one, with Sylvari using their natural plant look while Charr would be all spikes and gears.

I doubt very much this will happen, but I’m suggesting it anyway as it would dramatically improve the game.
Humans are incredibly good at pattern recognition; it’s how our brains work. Every player of the game can see the artistic shortcuts taken. They can’t tell the difference between a Guardian and a Warrior without clicking the character and checking the profession icon.

Sort it out ArenaNet!

I fully agree on this. I think that 90% here want their character to stand out and style him up good. We lost that ability then they took away our class armors.

A-net go work on it!

I agree. I would go a step further and say that you have armor from the start that you can choose that is race and profession specific.