Request: Appearance slot for Shield slot

[ZThoth]

<p>How difficult would it be to implement an Appearance slot for the shield slot?  My SK is currently using a nice tower shield, but last night I picked up a very cool looking buckler that fits the class perfectly.  ie, it's a huge skull!</p><p>Having an Appearance slot would be very nice to have.</p><p>Thanks.</p>

[Cusashorn]

<p>From a roleplay standpoint, just how exactly do you intend to hide a 2 hand broadsword, Kite shield, or huge staff behind a dagger?</p><p>They arn't going to give us weapon appearance slots because they want us to show off what we use. Anyone can always just put clothes on over thier armor, but unless you have 20 fingers, I don't think the same will work for weapons.</p>

[Eveningsong]

Well, the next game update is adding clothing that makes your "real" armour/clothing disappear, so anything is possible <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.  And I was pretty sure there were actually weapon slots in the appearance tab... but perhaps I was just assuming they were there.  Personally I'd like to see weapons and shield slots; I like my sparkly weapon from the current Live Event, but don't necessarily want the stats all the time.  And I think a skull shield sounds too cool to just bank/sell!

[Noaani]

<p>Giving us weapon/secondary slots is not something I would consider a  priority, but if it were not something that would take up too much resources, I see no reason not to do it.</p><p>However, if it is done, I would like to see it done in a manner similar to how the armour apperiance slots were done on test before getting changed.</p><p>Basically, weapon and secondary appearance slots should be restricted to using items of the same wield type as the actual item being used in the slot. If you have a 2 hander in your equipment slot, you can not equip a sword and shield in your apperiance slot.</p>

[Mentalep]

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>From a roleplay standpoint, just how exactly do you intend to hide a 2 hand broadsword, Kite shield, or huge staff behind a dagger?</p><p>They arn't going to give us weapon appearance slots because they want us to show off what we use. Anyone can always just put clothes on over thier armor, but unless you have 20 fingers, I don't think the same will work for weapons.</p></blockquote>Can you wear a suit of plate on top of ANOTHER suit of plate?  If you're trying to look at the appearance slot as a suit of overclothes, then yes, my guardian does exactly that.  Others somehow hide that heavy plate under a Formal Female Ensemble, and as has been mentioned, the next update is adding appearance slot items that render that slot transparent.  Speaking of transparent, what's with my helmet?  As soon as I put it on, it turned invisible.If there's a problem of plausibility here - and plausibility is largely beside the point of the appearance feature anyway - it's not restricted to weapons.I've almost never used a weapon that I liked the look of.  I've kept some good-looking weapons and shields in my bank in hopes of this feature coming to light eventually.  If we can reconstruct our armor solely for the sake ofvanity, it makes sense to me that we can do the same for weapons and shields  (I imagine there might be technical issues relating to animations that would restrict it to weapons of the same wield type and damagetype, but why replacing the model within those restrictions would be an issue I really don't know).

[Ozymundas]

<p>I agree that the "it doesn't make role-playing sense" argument is a poor one.  Unless you want to creatively concoct the idea that you are able to magically wear layers of plate or even make the plate invisible and relatively unsubstantial, the current system doesn't fit role-playing sense either.  It'd be no different with weapons.  *Poof* My Ugly Buckler of Utility now magically looks like Cool Buckler of Attractiveness.</p><p>I'd love to see primary and secondary appearance slots.  It'd increase demand for crafters for the weapons and shields from RoK faction recipes, and give the unique weapons available with the void storm event more utility.</p>

[Paikis]

<p>This is a great idea (and one that I /feedback all the time)</p><p>I would actually give us several extra display slots though. one each for swords/axes/clubs in both 1 handed and 2 handed. and one for a shield. if you're dual-wielding or using a 2 hander then the shield will not display (but can be kept there) soon as you switch back, it displays again.</p><p>There are some really cool looking weapons in this game and it's a shame to waste their graphics because no one ever wears them.</p>

[ZThoth]

I only meant that if a shield is equipped, the appearance slot shield will display.  If you switch to a 2-hander, the appearance shield will auto-hide.  This should work for roleplayers and those of us that just want to display a better shield graphic when we have a fugly one equipped, but like the stats.

[Cusashorn]

Feedback it all you want. The issue is a dead horse and the developers know it. They just don't want us to hide our weapons.

[Shiverr]

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote>Feedback it all you want. The issue is a dead horse and the developers know it. They just don't want us to hide our weapons.</blockquote><p>Wrong.</p><p>This is the ol' song that was sung about appearance slots previously and we know they won out.  Thankfully.</p><p>I completely agree with and support at least shield, if not weapon slots as well.  There are so many great graphics out for shields, and we get to actually see only so few of them because certain ones are the class preferred, so many players end up using the same thing and they all look the same.  Variety and choice ftw!</p><p>I would like to see a weapon/shield appearance slot that followed similar guidelines of armor appearance, but even more strict.</p><p>I would suggest that an appearance weapon slot be allowed to be replaced by the specific type that it is, only.  For example:  A two-handed slasher represented only with a two-handed slasher, and a one-handed crushing replaced with a one-handed crushing only.  This would be the most sensible for movements, etc. as well.</p><p>Please carry out the full vision of appearance slots by putting in weapon/shield appearance as well.</p>

[Cusashorn]

<cite>Shiverr wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote>Feedback it all you want. The issue is a dead horse and the developers know it. They just don't want us to hide our weapons.</blockquote><p>Wrong.</p><p>This is the ol' song that was sung about appearance slots previously and we know they won out.  Thankfully.</p><p>I completely agree with and support at least shield, if not weapon slots as well.  There are so many great graphics out for shields, and we get to actually see only so few of them because certain ones are the class preferred, so many players end up using the same thing and they all look the same.  Variety and choice ftw!</p><p>I would like to see a weapon/shield appearance slot that followed similar guidelines of armor appearance, but even more strict.</p><p>I would suggest that an appearance weapon slot be allowed to be replaced by the specific type that it is, only.  For example:  A two-handed slasher represented only with a two-handed slasher, and a one-handed crushing replaced with a one-handed crushing only.  This would be the most sensible for movements, etc. as well.</p><p>Please carry out the full vision of appearance slots by putting in weapon/shield appearance as well.</p></blockquote>Well, don't you think they would have done that when they first put in Appearance slots if this was the case? I'm sure they took weapons slots into full consideration when they thought up appearance slots, but they must have had a good reason not to. I was just looking through other threads in the past about this exact same issue. One thing brought up was that the Appearance slots were originally designed so players could wear Fluff clothing like the ceremonial clothing from the city merchant. Nobody had any reason to wear those since they served no purpose, but now they do with the appearance slots. The thing is, there's no such thing as a "Fluff" weapon or shield in this game.

[Firecracker]

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Shiverr wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote>Feedback it all you want. The issue is a dead horse and the developers know it. They just don't want us to hide our weapons.</blockquote><p>Wrong.</p><p>This is the ol' song that was sung about appearance slots previously and we know they won out.  Thankfully.</p><p>I completely agree with and support at least shield, if not weapon slots as well.  There are so many great graphics out for shields, and we get to actually see only so few of them because certain ones are the class preferred, so many players end up using the same thing and they all look the same.  Variety and choice ftw!</p><p>I would like to see a weapon/shield appearance slot that followed similar guidelines of armor appearance, but even more strict.</p><p>I would suggest that an appearance weapon slot be allowed to be replaced by the specific type that it is, only.  For example:  A two-handed slasher represented only with a two-handed slasher, and a one-handed crushing replaced with a one-handed crushing only.  This would be the most sensible for movements, etc. as well.</p><p>Please carry out the full vision of appearance slots by putting in weapon/shield appearance as well.</p></blockquote>Well, don't you think they would have done that when they first put in Appearance slots if this was the case? I'm sure they took weapons slots into full consideration when they thought up appearance slots, but they must have had a good reason not to. I was just looking through other threads in the past about this exact same issue. One thing brought up was that the Appearance slots were originally designed so players could wear Fluff clothing like the ceremonial clothing from the city merchant. Nobody had any reason to wear those since they served no purpose, but now they do with the appearance slots. The thing is, there's no such thing as a "Fluff" weapon or shield in this game.</blockquote><p>Umm,  I guess Cusa you havn't seen the new weapons being offered with new event then? They are so for fluff spot if you ask me. </p><p>I would like to see this happen too but needs to have some restrictions with what you have equipped should be what you can only equip weapon wise, shields are little different for I have seen some buckler type shields look like kite shields already in game so the shields maybe shouldn't be so restrictive.</p>

[Cusashorn]

Oh I've seen them, but they still serve a combat purpose. a Fluff weapon would be a weapon that has no combat stats of any sort, not even a damage ratio.

[Mentalep]

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Shiverr wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote>Feedback it all you want. The issue is a dead horse and the developers know it. They just don't want us to hide our weapons.</blockquote><p>Wrong.</p><p>This is the ol' song that was sung about appearance slots previously and we know they won out.  Thankfully.</p><p>I completely agree with and support at least shield, if not weapon slots as well.  There are so many great graphics out for shields, and we get to actually see only so few of them because certain ones are the class preferred, so many players end up using the same thing and they all look the same.  Variety and choice ftw!</p><p>I would like to see a weapon/shield appearance slot that followed similar guidelines of armor appearance, but even more strict.</p><p>I would suggest that an appearance weapon slot be allowed to be replaced by the specific type that it is, only.  For example:  A two-handed slasher represented only with a two-handed slasher, and a one-handed crushing replaced with a one-handed crushing only.  This would be the most sensible for movements, etc. as well.</p><p>Please carry out the full vision of appearance slots by putting in weapon/shield appearance as well.</p></blockquote>Well, don't you think they would have done that when they first put in Appearance slots if this was the case? I'm sure they took weapons slots into full consideration when they thought up appearance slots, but they must have had a good reason not to. I was just looking through other threads in the past about this exact same issue. One thing brought up was that the Appearance slots were originally designed so players could wear Fluff clothing like the ceremonial clothing from the city merchant. Nobody had any reason to wear those since they served no purpose, but now they do with the appearance slots. The thing is, there's no such thing as a "Fluff" weapon or shield in this game.</blockquote><p>First of all, I'd say the devs are clearly quite willing to expand this feature beyond that goal, since the VAST majority of equipment in this game is not "fluff" and yet is still allowed in the appearance slots.</p><p>Second, there was never anything stopping you from wearing that equipment around town in the first place.  That's what it was for.  That would make more sense from the roleplaying perspective you advocate, right?  If it's worthless in combat but looks nice, then wouldn't your character only wear it when s/he isn't in danger?  It has <b>never </b>been the case that this armor "served no purpose."  If the original intent of that gear was to wear it into battle, why was it given such poor stats?</p><p>Speaking of stats on fluff armor, you're arguing that a "fluff" weapon would have no stats on it whatsoever, and <b>no damage ratio at all, </b>and thus none currently exist in the game.  That's a pretty strict definition of "fluff."  Are you aware that most if not all of the "fluff armor" available from city and faction merchants does, in fact, have mitigation?  Visit them and check it out for yourself - the female formal ensemble, for example, has 61 mitigation.  The level 30 luminous vanguard cuirass has 151.</p><p>With 151 mitigation, <i>it is identical</i> to the level 30 white feysteel vanguard cuirass that is sold by NPC armorsmiths and dropped by tier 4 mobs.  It's certainly far superior to the gear you start the game with, which you were obviously expected to fight in.  Even the tradesman clothing has mitigation, no doubt to protect the crafter from burns and splinters.  In fact, I can't find a single piece yet from the merchants in Qeynos that <i>doesn't </i>have mitigation.</p><p>Does this mean that the city merchant armor isn't fluff after all, and thus wasn't part of the intended scope of the appearance tab?  If it isn't fluff, then what is?</p>

[Ozymundas]

<p>^^^ That is an extremely informed and well explained argument.  Thank you!</p>

[alphatrion]

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote>Oh I've seen them, but they still serve a combat purpose. a Fluff weapon would be a weapon that has no combat stats of any sort, not even a damage ratio.</blockquote>There is one one weapon that almost fit your fluff weapon description and it is the Hammer of Brell that you can summon with the 5th blessing of Brell it got quite a few stat they they just there to boost tradeskill and for the damage the weapon got like 1-1 or 1-2 dmg which is equal to the damage of a level 1 weapon.Here I wouldn't mind a weapon and shield (god only know how much I want to have some round shield look on my dwarven guardian) look slot but I admit I would think some kind of restriction on those would be good.

[Noaani]

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote>Well, don't you think they would have done that when they first put in Appearance slots if this was the case? I'm sure they took weapons slots into full consideration when they thought up appearance slots, but they must have had a good reason not to. </blockquote><p>Appearance slots were first implemented in the manner they eventually went live. Development said at the time that they were unable to implement it for main hand/ off hand due to the fact that someone could then have a one hander equipped, but a 2 hander in their appearance slot, which would cause issues with animation.</p><p>Later on, they put in restrictions on what armour a character was able to wear, based on what armour was in the corrisponding gear slot. Although this change was reverted back to how it was, it made it obvious that they could apply the same restriction to main/off hand items. However, once the changes were made and reverted, they never readdressed the main hand/off hand issue, even though the mechanic they needed to implement it was now coded.</p><blockquote>I was just looking through other threads in the past about this exact same issue. One thing brought up was that the Appearance slots were originally designed so players could wear Fluff clothing like the ceremonial clothing from the city merchant. Nobody had any reason to wear those since they served no purpose, but now they do with the appearance slots. The thing is, there's no such thing as a "Fluff" weapon or shield in this game.</blockquote><p>While partially true (I could well argue that there are fluff weapons in game, but since they are merchant sold, not player made, its not worth it), you need to remember that the fluff clothing was also a fairly recient addition.</p><p>Would you suddenly change your mind if fluff weapons and shields were added to the game? Since that seems to be your only real argument against it (not that you not wanting it will have any change on whether or not it gets implemented, nor will my opinion).</p><p>Incidently, I think fluff weapons and shields/symbols would be a great addition to weaponsmiths/woodworkers/jewelers, and I would even go as far as allowing particle effects to be added on as a sort of imbue.</p>

[liveja]

I would also love to see fluffy appearance slots for weapons & shields. I wouldn't mind some reasonable restrictions, tho ... for example, I think if you're dual-wielding, you shouldn't be able to have a two-hander in your appearance slot & vice-versa ... if you have a shield equipped, you can only put a shield in your appearance slot ... etc.

[Cusashorn]

<p>I wouldn't object to it... only on one condition.</p><p>If they manage to program the apperance slots so that it shows the actual weapons and shields you are using ONLY IN COMBAT, then I have no problem with weapon appearance slots to show off whatever you want ouside of it.</p><p>It seems that people want to show off different weapons. Ok. Fine. But in combat, you have to put away those fluff weapons and use what you are using. This way, there are no animation problems.</p>

[ZThoth]

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>I wouldn't object to it... only on one condition.</p><p>If they manage to program the apperance slots so that it shows the actual weapons and shields you are using ONLY IN COMBAT, then I have no problem with weapon appearance slots to show off whatever you want ouside of it.</p><p>It seems that people want to show off different weapons. Ok. Fine. But in combat, you have to put away those fluff weapons and use what you are using. This way, there are no animation problems.</p></blockquote> This kinda defeats the entire purpose of my request. This is as blunt as I can be: I have a shield, it's fugly, I have another shield that's inferior, but looks better...and I want that shield's graphic displayed at all times. Nice discussion in this thread though, keep it up! <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Also, as far as 2 handers vs 1 handers go...I really only care about shields, I can see the logistical nightmare with weapons. I'm sure there's a way for them to auto-ignore the Shield Appearance slot when a shield isn't being equipped.

[ratdeath]

Why not make a new skill or grant weaponsmiths the ability to transfer the stats from a weapon/shield of choice into another weapon/shield of choice for the looks.No need for fluff slots for weapons and shields and what you see is what you have.Of course there should be limitations like no stats from a two handed weapon into a one handed weapon.I am a shadowknight and I am using some mc kite shield... not very happy with it no... but I am hoping to find some evil looking shield someday that has somewhat ok stats for me. <i><b><span style="color: #ff0000;">SQUEEK!</span></b></i>

[Noaani]

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>I wouldn't object to it... only on one condition.</p><p>If they manage to program the apperance slots so that it shows the actual weapons and shields you are using ONLY IN COMBAT, then I have no problem with weapon appearance slots to show off whatever you want ouside of it.</p><p>It seems that people want to show off different weapons. Ok. Fine. But in combat, you have to put away those fluff weapons and use what you are using. This way, there are no animation problems.</p></blockquote><p>Why?</p><p>Armour doesn't do this, and if animation is to remain an issue, they would be better off simply restricting the appearance slots to the same item types as the gear slots.</p>

[Kitsune286]

<cite>Flaye@Mistmoore wrote:</cite><blockquote>I would also love to see fluffy appearance slots for weapons & shields. I wouldn't mind some reasonable restrictions, tho ... for example, I think if you're dual-wielding, you shouldn't be able to have a two-hander in your appearance slot & vice-versa ... if you have a shield equipped, you can only put a shield in your appearance slot ... etc.</blockquote>I believe that this would probably be the system used if they were to implement this. It would also go along with the regular appearance items of being only something you can normally equip.So, my monk could use her imbued katars and be wielding the dual katana's in appearance. And that would be awsome.My Paladin could continue to wear the Qeynos Guard, even though he's picked up a new(er) T8 shield, and could continue to proudly display it in to T9 (Hey, I busted [Expletive Deleted] to get it!)My ranger could wear his Eagle's Talon forever, even if/when it does get replaced.I can understand how some would see this as breaking immersion/not fitting in, but unless you inspect the player, how would you be any the wiser as their equipment/display preferences?Edit: Okay, I apparently used a slightly naughty word there. And since I can't stand the usual []'s, edited in my own. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

[LygerT]

<p>i get tired of looking at my buckler all day long</p><p>so why can't i look at a bigger shield to feel a little more useful and boost our self esteem? your counter arguments don't seem to hold much water. the only issue i can see with this is on PvP where visually speaking fluff weapons can give an enemy an edge to an unsuspecting player, which can easily be remedied by deactivating the ability to use fluff weapons on PvP. </p><p>restrictions like 1h and shield are obviously something that should be kept in line still though. </p><p>there is a ton of pieces that have poor stats but some very nice graphics that simply don't get used and something i wish they would change. </p><p>immersion? has to be a joke. can you really rationalize it when i am wearing heavy plate but put on a Gi? nope, that isn't right but it is in the game right now. </p>

[ZerkerDwarf]

<p>I also vote for appearance slots for weapon and shield slots, applying the same rules as for other appearance slots (level and class).</p><p>Esp. I hate looking at the saucer my heavy plate tank is doomed to wear and many epic weapons look like exaggerated plastic toys.</p><p>One would have to think if two-handed stuff can be fluffy-worn while you actually have equipped a one handed weapon and a shield and the other way round.</p>

[Ahlana]

<cite>Lyger@Mistmoore wrote:</cite> <blockquote><p>The only issue I can see with this is on PvP where visually speaking fluff weapons can give an enemy an edge to an unsuspecting player, which can easily be remedied by deactivating the ability to use fluff weapons on PvP. </p></blockquote><p>Why? I mean I can wear a robe for the same thing. If the opponent is too blind to check your buffs first than I hardly see a reason to help them out lol. Besides wearing armor that isn't of your classes norm is more effective than having a fluff weapon showing. So long as it is restricted to the same type as you currently have equipped.</p><p>I mean you will see their armor long before you see their weapons in most cases. If fluff weapons were restricted to the same type as I am currently using then I would still have two daggers hanging at my side lol, or a 1hs. </p>

[Nameliss]

<cite>Lyger@Mistmoore wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>i get tired of looking at my buckler all day long</p><p>so why can't i look at a bigger shield to feel a little more useful and boost our self esteem? your counter arguments don't seem to hold much water. the only issue i can see with this is on PvP where visually speaking fluff weapons can give an enemy an edge to an unsuspecting player, which can easily be remedied by deactivating the ability to use fluff weapons on PvP. </p><p>restrictions like 1h and shield are obviously something that should be kept in line still though. </p><p>there is a ton of pieces that have poor stats but some very nice graphics that simply don't get used and something i wish they would change. </p><p><b>immersion? has to be a joke</b>. can you really rationalize it when i am wearing heavy plate but put on a Gi? nope, that isn't right but it is in the game right now. </p></blockquote><p>I agree, appearance slots actually enhance immersion and roleplay to anyone that actually knows what roleplay is suppose to mean. (ie. NOT ROLLplay) </p><p>It lets you customize your appearance without regard to what ever crap you are forced to wear for stats required to actually play the game. This is one of my biggest issues with the direction MMOs took from their inception. Dev's keep adding uber loot to get players to spend more time chasing the next best thing (stat wise) to increase their power level with no regard for character custimization or individuality at all.</p><p>Now I'm not an avid roleplayer, in the true sense of the word, by any stretch of the imagination, but I do like to customize my appearance and look different than the other 2000 players on the server. Which is one of the reasons I came back to EQ2. Most other games force you to wear whatever the latest uber drop is for your class, and as a result you look like every other [insert class name here] in that world.</p><p>IMO, what they should have done is make the normal equipment slots (all of them) what shows on your character, and create a STATS page (instead of appearance) that you could slot their latest uber fugly loot into for the stats. Of course people would still complain that they are breaking immersion by granting magical stats from some item that they can't even see on the person (ie jewelry slots)</p>

[nirate]

<p>I would't care one way or another about a weapon appearence slot, but i could see PvP cries about people hiding their mythicals, which you normaly can see from a mile away, with rusty swords. FYI I don't play pvp.</p><p>There are tons of very cool looking shields and wands and swords that I would love to equip but can't because they are so god awfull or a lower tier altogether.</p>

[SilkenKidden]

<cite>Azag@Crushbone wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>How difficult would it be to implement an Appearance slot for the shield slot?  My SK is currently using a nice tower shield, but last night I picked up a very cool looking buckler that fits the class perfectly.  ie, it's a huge skull!</p><p>Having an Appearance slot would be very nice to have.</p><p>Thanks.</p></blockquote>This isn't what you are asking but it's a good place for the comment.  I was surprised when I "tried on" a shield in the dressing room window.  The image goes into fighting stance and becomes animated.   Very nice!