Colored gear with specific classes.

[Betelgeuzah]

I mean, isn't that what materia is for? To enhance stats?

Nawpe, that's not the benefit.

Let's try to open this up through a different path. What people have been asking for are gear aesthetics specific for a certain class to make them stand out from each other (similar to, say, AF armor in XI). The thing is, though, that while making each class stand out and have unique armor, you also limit freedom and customization options by 'forcing' all the people of the same class to wear the same specific equipment (be it WHM or RDM AF). So absolutely and without a doubt... there is the benefit, and the downside.

Now, when it comes to aesthetics, its not just the equipment model that can be altered to distinguish a class from another. Equipment color is also an aesthetic factor that can be used to distinguish a class from one another. Both together can be used to, first separate class archetypes (through gear models) and then further separate classes (through gear color). Thus each class (or role within the archetype) has a unique model+color combination. Meanwhile the benefit and the downside mentioned above are still applicable.

[Jinko]

Nawpe, that's not the benefit.

Let's try to open this up through a different path. What people have been asking for are gear aesthetics specific for a certain class to make them stand out from each other (similar to, say, AF armor in XI). The thing is, though, that while making each class stand out and have unique armor, you also limit freedom and customization options by 'forcing' all the people of the same class to wear the same specific equipment (be it WHM or RDM AF). So absolutely and without a doubt... there is the benefit, and the downside.

Now, when it comes to aesthetics, its not just the equipment model that can be altered to distinguish a class from another. Equipment color is also an aesthetic factor that can be used to distinguish a class from one another. Both together can be used to, first separate class archetypes (through gear models) and then further separate classes (through gear color). Thus each class (or role within the archetype) has a unique model+color combination. Meanwhile the benefit and the downside mentioned above are still applicable.

This makes total sense to me.

[Arcell]

Nawpe, that's not the benefit.

Let's try to open this up through a different path. What people have been asking for are gear aesthetics specific for a certain class to make them stand out from each other (similar to, say, AF armor in XI). The thing is, though, that while making each class stand out and have unique armor, you also limit freedom and customization options by 'forcing' all the people of the same class to wear the same specific equipment (be it WHM or RDM AF). So absolutely and without a doubt... there is the benefit, and the downside.

Now, when it comes to aesthetics, its not just the equipment model that can be altered to distinguish a class from another. Equipment color is also an aesthetic factor that can be used to distinguish a class from one another. Both together can be used to, first separate class archetypes (through gear models) and then further separate classes (through gear color). Thus each class (or role within the archetype) has a unique model+color combination. Meanwhile the benefit and the downside mentioned above are still applicable.

Well let's run through a few scenarios here:

Colors = roles, classes forced to use certain colors: You can easily distinguish one class from another via their color however this was already pretty easily done by taking a quick look at their equipment in general and of course their weapon. This also makes everyone within the same class look almost identical, not a great thing IMO. Color + Gear = class.

Colors = customization, color your gear whatever: Classes are still distinguishable by their weapon type and general gear (since it is class/level required now). Popular colors emerge and some people end up using the same color between classes. Overall however this allows players both within and outside of the same class to use the color they want. Gear = class. Color is merely a choice.

Within a certain class if color is restricted then everyone is forced to use that color and you get color-coded clones. Within a certain class if color is unrestricted then people choose the colors they like, as such there's less of a likelihood of seeing someone wearing the exact same gear/color as you.

[Betelgeuzah]

however this was already pretty easily done by taking a quick look at their equipment in general and of course their weapon.

Yet the fact remains that people wanted more ways to distinguish one class from another, so what we had wasn't enough. That has been one of the biggest complaints of the game since release. Even though it's hilariously apparent now that people didn't quite realize the benefits and downsides of what they were asking for back then, and now that they do, the backtracking is extreme.

This also makes everyone within the same class look almost identical, not a great thing IMO.

So does AF armor. "Clones" will be "clones" either way. Again, double standards.

[Arcell]

Yet the fact remains that people wanted more ways to distinguish one class from another, so what we had wasn't enough. That has been one of the biggest complaints of the game since release.

True but I don't think anyone wanted this kind of class restriction. Gear and skills should distinguish one class from another, not the color of their armor.

So does AF armor. "Clones" will be "clones" either way. Again, double standards.

Yes but let's say we can dye AF armor for the sake of speculation. In that way yes you could be wearing the same armor but of a different color. It looks different enough that it would help give some players a bit more customization and you'd see less outright clones.

[Betelgeuzah]

True but I don't think anyone wanted this kind of class restriction.

This is exactly what people wanted, before they realized that they could not have the cake and eat it too.

Gear and skills should distinguish one class from another, not the color of their armor.

So "gear color" is somehow not part of "gear" here? You're just ignoring it as an aesthetical factor which it undoubtedly is because...?

Yes but let's say we can dye AF armor for the sake of speculation.

Either way the first step is to restrict the model/color to a certain class. From that point onwards you can add additional layers of aesthetical differences to distinguish the players of the same class/role from one another. The customization you had before will be lost in either case.

[Inaaca]

Yet the fact remains that people wanted more ways to distinguish one class from another, so what we had wasn't enough. That has been one of the biggest complaints of the game since release.

People were complaining that mages could wear plate armor and gladiators could wear robes, which blurred the line between classes. People wanted armor types to be locked down by class, not color. The ability to dye your equipment the color of your choosing was something that people actually liked.

SE took it a step too far by limiting color. Class uniqueness is expressed enough via armor type. Color should be a choice to show individual uniqueness.

[Arcell]

This is exactly what people wanted, before they realized that they could not have the cake and eat it too.

No, people wanted class uniqueness in the form of their role and skills. The whole class uniqueness argument was started because of how the armory system allowed people to equip basically any skill on any class with few exceptions. It had nothing to do with gear color. People wanted their classes to be unique in that they could do things others couldn't, skill-wise.

So "gear color" is somehow not part of "gear" here? You're just ignoring it as an aesthetical factor which it undoubtedly is because...?

Because the gear itself should determine what class wears it, not the color of the gear. Considering now the color of a piece of gear can be changed after it is made, it has little to do with the actual function of the piece of equipment.

Either way the first step is to restrict the model/color to a certain class. From that point onwards you can add additional layers of aesthetical differences to distinguish the players of the same class/role from one another. The customization you had before will be lost in either case.

Model yes, color no. As stated above, color should have no bearing on the actual function of a certain piece of equipment. Just because I painted it red generally doesn't/shouldn't mean that it is now functionally better.

[Jinko]

True but I don't think anyone wanted this kind of class restriction. Gear and skills should distinguish one class from another, not the color of their armor.

You are missing the fact that a Con (white mage) and a Con (black mage) have the same weapon.

I think SE want to have a system in place where a white mage and a black mage wear different armour even if they have the same weapon, so that when say for example I join a party people don't mistake me for a white mage when im in fact a black mage.

If you look at the blue linen and the pink linen they are completely different, one would suggest a white mage the other a black mage.

FWIW the blue linen gear favours attack power and int, where as the pink gear favours healing and mnd.

Edit:- The highest lvl craftable felt gear only comes in one colour, so it may be that SE haven't had time to put all the colour options in the game just yet.

[Arcell]

You are missing the fact that a Con (white mage) and a Con (black mage) have the same weapon.

I think SE want to have a system in place where a white mage and a black mage wear different armour even if they have the same weapon, so that when say for example I join a party people don't mistake me for a white mage when im in fact a black mage.

If you look at the blue linen and the pink linen they are completely different, one would suggest a white mage the other a black mage.

FWIW the blue linen gear favours attack power and int, where as the pink gear favours healing and mnd.

Edit:- The highest lvl craftable felt gear only comes in one colour, so it may be that SE haven't had time to put all the colour options in the game just yet.

Do we know for a fact that Conjurer will split into both Black Mage and White Mage, as well as the fact that they will use the same weapon? I may have missed something but I haven't seen confirmation of that anywhere.