Is the Armoury System A Sign of [Spoiler Alert]

[Alleluia]

I used to think the armoury system was just a matter of story/gameplay segregation, a shorthand for player convenience. Then the Shadowbringers CGI happened.

So, are there any NPCs shown to use or acknowledge the existence of this armoury system in-game? I can't recall any, but I feel like it might just be that I'm forgetting someone?

If not, and this is something only the WoL can use/do, think the in-lore justification for our access to hammer space has something to do with our Ascian nature?

[Rannie]

If you remember from the HW trailer and opening movie it shows the WoL carrying a huge af bag. Then when he gets to the inn you see him setting his axe down and literally stripping his gear off. But instant changing I dunno.

[TankHunter678]

This one clearly falls under story and gameplay segregation. As it is never brought up and any class references only happen if you happen to be the class at the particular quest. Such as during HW Yugiri commented on me being a ninja, in SB I was running through the MSQ as a SAM and Yugiri commented I could make for being a ninja.

[Enkidoh]

A 1.0 GLA class quest cutscene outright showed a NPC fighting in the Colleseum switching class mid battle from GLA to MRD (story wise he was actually called out for basically cheating in the fight as swapping class mid-fight in the arena was a big no-no, it didn't help him get an edge though hilariously, as his GLA opponent still kicked his butt ), so swapping class is done by others in-universe - SE themelves way back in 1.0 outright termed it as simply changing to the required weapon or tool.

Now instantly swapping all your armour though at the same time, that is gameplay and story segregation (Derplander doing that in the SHB's opening is just rule of cool - note even the sound effect is the same as changing to a saved gear set in-game in ARR when he swaps class in the FMV), as when he was shown swapping from WAR to DRG at the end of the Heavensward opening to join the battle of Ishgard, he's shown manually removing his WAR AF1 gauntlets (which fall noisly to the floor) and then setting his DRG AF2 ones on his arms all badass-like as he walks to the Steps of Faith (as Rannie above mentioned), which I think is a much more realistic depiction of how characters change equipment in-universe.

But like I said, rule of cool applies.

[Alleluia]

But, I wasn't questioning whether picking up an axe makes us fight like a MRD/WAR, and then picking up a lance makes us fight like a LNC/DRG. I know changing weapons changes classes (which is essentially game shorthand for changing your fighting style) and NPCs can do that, too. And I am aware that they showed a more realistic take in Heavensward's CGI of actually manually removing armor.

What I meant was: Is there an actual instance of NPCs using the armoury system and having gear come out of nothing, like derplander in the Shadowbringers CGI and like us when we play the game?

Enkidoh, thanks for the 1.0 example. I do agree ShB could be rule of cool, but I don't thinks its conclusive that that's all it is. I mean, being able to use the armory system doesn't keep the WoL from also manually removing armor when they want, so they could technically be able to do both. I just don't know if its valid reasoning to dismiss ShB as rule of cool just b/c Heavensward is a more realistic take, given the magic we're being shown exists in this universe, and the ever-growing weirdness that surrounds the WoL's nature, in particular.

Which is why I was trying to see if anyone else is known to use the "swap your gear from thin air" system, to see if its meant to be unique to the PC or not. In the 1.0 example did he actually pull an axe out of thin air? Or did the camera cut away and/or he pulled an axe from some hiding place off screen? I wonder if I could find video? Hmm...

(This is assuming any lore about this from 1.0 would still apply now, which could no longer be the case, of course.)

[MrThinker]

What I meant was: Is there an actual instance of NPCs using the armoury system and having gear come out of nothing, like derplander in the Shadowbringers CGI and like us when we play the game?

Mistbeard in Hullbreaker Isle Hard

[Alleluia]

Mistbeard in Hullbreaker Isle Hard

He does cover himself in a fog cloud, but it has the sound effect and he changes weapons (and maybe coats), so possibly.

Was hoping for something a bit less obscured. Or maybe a text mention of the system/ability being a thing?

[MrThinker]

He does cover himself in a fog cloud, but it has the sound effect and he changes weapons (and maybe coats), so possibly.

Was hoping for something a bit less obscured. Or maybe a text mention of the system/ability being a thing?

A text mention? Not specifically. Something less obscured? Well....
Does Godbert changing into Hammer mode count?

[Alleluia]

A text mention? Not specifically. Something less obscured? Well....
Does Godbert changing into Hammer mode count?

... You know, I had successfully suppressed that memory till now.

Yes, I'd say it counts. lol Ok so, at the least, crazy Dad and Mistbeard can do it.

[Nalien]

snip

I'd go with this, in general trailers aren't the best thing to go off... I mean, he was swapping mid battle, which we can't even do in game...

That said, my working theory is that the Shadowbringers trailer was in fact showing off the next Limited Job: Onion Knight.