Hey!
I want to suggest, and start a discussion, for a feature to improve customization of stats and enhancements for gear in GW2.
For reference the feature draws inspiration from and builds on the same values as that of the wardrobe and collection system.
I encourage you to come with feedback as to how this may or may not work, as well as come with solutions as to how to make it work. I would be happy to see the concept be expanded upon.
Why?
In the current system you will have sets of gear that are combinations of different stats and enhancements. This is simplistic and does its job, however it becomes crippling once you wish to change things up.
You will have to either override or extract existing enhancements in favour of new ones, and/or you will have to buy a new set of gear. The whole process can be rather discouraging and if you’re like me you’ll just stick
with your berserker gear instead.
This game offers an immense build diversity and I think it deserves a system that can support that further.
Unlock and collect stats and enhancements!
Retrieving a gear-piece at this moment will give you some options: equip, sell, forge, salvage or destroy. What I would like to propose is another option, an option to consume it.
How to unlock stats: introducing consuming
Consuming an armor-piece will unlock its stats in a storage. However consuming the item will also destroy it so that you can no longer sell, forge or salvage it.
What is unlocked and who it’s unlocked for once consumed depends some factors, as can be seen below. These factored limitations are in place to reduce the impact the feature could have on the game’s market.
What is unlocked? (Tier and Armor-piece type dependent)
-Consuming stats of a given tier will unlock the stats the consumed item provided, it will not unlock stats of higher tiers. Example: Rare Magi Gloves unlocks Rare Magi stats.
-Consuming stats of a given armor piece type will unlock the stats for the armor piece type that was consumed, it will not unlock for other armor-piece types. Example: Magi gloves unlocks Magi stats for gloves.
-Consuming stats of a given weapon type will unlock the stats for the weapon that was consumed, it will not unlock for other weapon types. Example: Magi Torch unlocks Magi stats for torches.
Who is it unlocked for? (Tier dependent)
-Consuming Exotic or lesser tier equipment will only unlock its stats for the character that consumed the item. Soulbound unlock.
-Consuming Ascended tier equipment will unlock its stats account wide for its armor class. Accountwide unlock.
-Consuming Legendary tier equipment will unlock all possible stats for its weapon/armor-piece type . Accountwide unlock of all possible stats.
This way ascended and legendaries would still hold value as their stats are not only of higher value, but also unlocks account wide, keeping their niche as alt-friendly items.
Enhancements would be either soul- or accountbound. Runes you would have to consume up to 6 of the same type and tier in order to unlock all effects.
Storage:
The Stats and Enhancement Storage would have its own tab in the bank, where you could view your collection. The collection would have different categories for different stat types, and different equipment types.
Locked stat icons would be the traditional gray, while unlocked ones would have coloured flairs depending on their unlocked tier. Unlocking stats for an armor-piece of a higher tier than the previously unlocked stat for the same armor-piece type would replace it.
The Hero Panel:
Located in “Equipment” it would have its own dedicated “Stats and Enhancements” subcategory.
Just like the wardrobe you press the on the equipment you want to change and are presented with the different options of stats and enhancements available.
Final thoughts:
For long term I think this would be healthy for the game as it gives the players a sense of progression as they unlock and collect the stats and enhancements, while also making gear customization a more rewarding experience.
This system will be an addition to the current system in place which allows them to exist side by side without completely overriding eachother.
I would be interested to know your concerns, suggestions and/or general ideas. I want to start a discussion on this topic.
Notes:
-“Consuming” would probably be better named as “Unlock stats and Enhancements” or something else for better clarity.
-I’m sorry if there something that is written here seems a bit off, or if the grammar is dead, posting this right before going to bed.
TLDR; Wardrobe system for the stats and enhancements of your gear.