This is how Materia System should be

[Asiaine]

My two-bits:
I loved the Materia system in FFVII.

Let's do it that way!

To sum up it would sort of look like this:
- Materia can be rewards from quests, drops from NMs, found in chests, and bought in shops
Obviously the weakest ones bought, and the toughest ones found in NMs etc.


- Armour/Weapons have a fixed number of slots
Something with 5 slots may have weaker stats, but more opportunities to upgrade.
Something with 2 slots may have stronger stats, but less opportunities to upgrade/customize


- Adding/Removing Materia is free -- no risk, no penalty
We can spend time customizing our weapons/armour for the job on hand


- Continued use of a Materia will 'Master' it
Bonus stats when they are mastered. Perhaps loose master stat if you remove it (but it can be re-mastered again and all is same).


This would encourage an approach where we can be more strategic on our choice of customization, have more fun/enjoyment in making unique gear that suits our play styles, and not be penalized (or afraid) of trying any changes.

Presently I'm afraid to use materia (I may loose it and that gear! Or I may not need it on that gear in 6 months when something better comes out!)

[Venat]

My two-bits:
I loved the Materia system in FFVII.

Let's do it that way!

To sum up it would sort of look like this:
- Materia can be rewards from quests, drops from NMs, found in chests, and bought in shops
Obviously the weakest ones bought, and the toughest ones found in NMs etc.


- Armour/Weapons have a fixed number of slots
Something with 5 slots may have weaker stats, but more opportunities to upgrade.
Something with 2 slots may have stronger stats, but less opportunities to upgrade/customize


- Adding/Removing Materia is free -- no risk, no penalty
We can spend time customizing our weapons/armour for the job on hand


- Continued use of a Materia will 'Master' it
Bonus stats when they are mastered. Perhaps loose master stat if you remove it (but it can be re-mastered again and all is same).


This would encourage an approach where we can be more strategic on our choice of customization, have more fun/enjoyment in making unique gear that suits our play styles, and not be penalized (or afraid) of trying any changes.

Presently I'm afraid to use materia (I may loose it and that gear! Or I may not need it on that gear in 6 months when something better comes out!)

First this is basically what im saying.
FF7 has Slots for Weapons/Armor
Using DoL Materia items gains you Materia slots on Armor/Weapons
Then you Equip your Materia which you either buyed or Sprited.
Materia levels up more you use it in battle. Sameway with Spriting. Aka.. AP.
Once Materia reaches AP cap it levels up and stats upgrade. (Materia stats is lowered down to meet that level of armor's cap. Which means if you have a max tier4 Materia on a lv1 Armor it will have same stats as a tier1 Materia unless its changed to another piece of gear thats higher level to suit that Materia.
Only reason why I added a penalty for changing Materia is I think SE doesnt want players to swap materia often.
(Edit: Spirting Armor for AP is a good way for players to earn decent amount of AP and keep crafters creating items. Also make any unless armor/Materia players dont need into something they do like AP.