What is the correct way of labeling artifact armor?

[Krystalynn]

The Myth gear IS THE EXACT SAME MODEL AS AF it is just a recolor and is stronger which is very obviously an upgraded version of AF. What do we call upgraded versions of things? HQ or +1.

It's not an upgraded piece of gear, it's a better piece of gear than the previous one. It isn't even directly related. It shares a similarly colored model. There are many items that have similar models, with recolors, in new tiers.

Iron and Steel Sabatons share the same model as Hoplite. We don't view these set tiers as upgrades. Yes one is an upgrade over the other, but the term upgrade usually is reserved to an item that is improved upon. Not simply the verbal sense of acquiring better gear.

When a game like FFXIV has items that can be "+1" like relic items, it makes no sense to exacerbate confusion by applying this to items that DO NOT have the moniker attached to it. Valor Surcoat isn't Gallant Surcoat +1.

It's "Valor Surcoat".

[Mazi]

It's not an upgraded piece of gear, it's a better piece of gear than the previous one. It isn't even directly related. It shares a similarly colored model. There are many items that have similar models, with recolors, in new tiers.

Iron and Steel Sabatons share the same model as Hoplite. We don't view these set tiers as upgrades. Yes one is an upgrade over the other, but the term upgrade usually is reserved to an item that is improved upon. Not simply the verbal sense of acquiring better gear.

When a game like FFXIV has items that can be "+1" like relic items, it makes no sense to exacerbate confusion by applying this to items that DO NOT have the moniker attached to it. Valor Surcoat isn't Gallant Surcoat +1.

It's "Valor Surcoat".

AF1 for blm = Wizard's

AF+1 for blm = Sorcerer's

The name plus appearance makes them related.

And to add further, you go from Drachen to Wyrm where a Wyrm is an elder dragon which shows an advanced version.