Quote Originally Posted by RemVye View Post
If using Optimal gear, on the wrong class or level makes the stats worse than anything you could wear, then what's the point of using it?
Sorry for answering a question with a question, but what does it matter? If there isn't a reason for people to do it, then they won't. Either way, it doesn't affect you whether they do or not. That's my point. I don't care what hair color you choose because it doesn't affect gameplay. You shouldn't care why people wear what they want to wear if it doesn't affect gameplay. Which brings me to this:

Yoshida: ...We have all of these changes to the battle system and the items that existed really didn’t fit with the changes that we had made and they were breaking the balance, whether it be the parameters or the restrictions on the items and whether they could be equipped by these classes or these classes.
If having certain classes equipping gear meant for other classes is breaking the balance, then don't balance for it. Remove all the stats for all I care - it's not the issue. No one should be complaining that their GLA gear doesn't do anything for them stat-wise while they're on THM.

If we were to have kept these original items with this new battle system, it would have created a lot of confusion not just with new players but also with players that have been playing the game for a long time.
Two things contribute to this confusion: the fact that it was a new system and the fact that it wasn't obvious what anything meant - particularly the difference between "favors" and "suits". It doesn't mean the system can't be adjusted to make more sense while not being restrictive.

For example, let's toss out "favors", and just go with "suits". You get the benefits of gear when it "suits" your class; you don't when it doesn't. For every level the gear is above you, the stats are lowered by some percentage - let's say 20, that way 5 levels above you, it's completely useless, regardless of what class you are.

I think there's probably an even more elegant and balanced solution, but I think this works as a simple example.

Quote Originally Posted by Alkoun View Post
This is what I'm trying to understand too. I get the point that having the choice to do it is desired, but why would you want to? Beyond RP, beyond odd class-switching for quick synths or whatever...
Not to be a jerk, but just how far beyond those do we need to go? Again, if it doesn't affect gameplay, what justifications do you require for thinking it's a good idea to let people do what they want to do?