Appearance Tab FAQ, Proposal, and Discussion

**AdeptStrain**

Hey guys,

There has been a lot of discussion in GPD about the appearance tab and I'm seeing a lot of the same concerns/questions/false information. I wanted to take a second to clear up a few of the common questions, lay out how I currently plan to have appearance work, and then open the floor for discussion. I'd also like to keep the blunt of appearance tab discussion in this thread so I can review it all in one easy location. This means I'll probably have Valara start locking any other appearance threads and redirect people to this topic. So if you have a comment/question/concern please post it here and I promise you I'll read it (even if I don't have time to respond). Before we begin, let me just add the following disclaimer: Nothing regarding the appearance tab has nailed down/finalized. This is all preliminary discussion and EVERYTHING(including actually adding the appearance tab to SWG) is subject to change.

What, exactly, does the appearance tab do?

The appearance tab simply allows you to equip items that will not influence your current stats. It allows you to wear items simply for show. Here's a quick example:

Let's say my guy has a set of Marauder armor, like so:

I really like the stats, but I'm tired of how I look. Maybe I want to use my old Chitin set? Well, the appearance tab will allow me to do that without lowering my stats.

I can even mix and match! Again, without altering my stats.

Throughout all these changes my stats never fluctuate because I never changed my "real" set of armor. I'm simply changing how people view my character.

That's appearance in a nutshell.

Appearance FAQ:

Do I need to have both sets of armor (my real armor and the armor I wish to use for my appearance) in my inventory?

Yes. I realize people already have issues with inventory size so maybe we could make a backpack specifically for your appearance items, but I'd have to chat with design about that.

Will appearance be disabled during Restuss and other PvP situations were knowing the opponents armor matters?

I'm open to this idea but I don't have any real decision yet. On one hand I understand some hardcore PvPers can recite armor stats just by seeing the model of that armor and really don't want to be lead astray by the appearance a player is using. On the other hand, if I take a lot of time setting up my appearance and it's gone half the time just because I enjoy PvP, then I might be upset that all my work is basically going to waste.

How will this affect tailors and armorsmiths?

Positively, I hope. Appearance gives people a reason to own more custom armor/clothes without worry of destroying their stats. This also gives our designers the option to create "appearance only" items. Items that are completely useless beyond anything but customizing the look of your player.

Will species/profession restrictions apply to the appearance tab?

Yes. If you can't wear it now, you won't be able to wear it if/when appearance tab is introduced.

What about players who will just run around in hot pants?

This can't happen. If you don't have an item assigned as appearance then it uses your real armor. So, unless you are really running around naked - you won't be able to wear only hot pants and have any protection what so ever.

So, what if I want to I want to wear an outfit but hide my gloves since they don't match my outfit? Appearance won't let me do this by default, it would just use my real gloves!

Currently, yes. But it MIGHT be possible to add basically invisible appearance only items that allow you to hide certain aspects of your outfit that you don't want to show through. Again, I say might because this is a slippery slope. We don't want players running around half naked through cities. This is something we'd just have to play with and see through testing and feedback.

EverQuest 2 has a level restriction on their appearance tab. Will SWG have a similar level restriction?

Undecided. Currently I'm leaning towards no level restriction.

If the appearance tab is approved, when will it be in-game?

There is currently no time-line for adding the appearance tab.

Will appearance tab be a tab?

This is undecided as well. I'm leaning towards a radial menu option for just speed of rapid prototyping, but I know Blixtev and a few others want a true tab.

Discussion

Okay, that's it! Please keep all discussion civil. I'd like to keep this thread open and have a nice exchange of ideas. I will be reading and I'll try to reply as much as possible.

**Nadun29** · 05/07/2008 09:50:54

first!

Wow, this is really an awesome idea! More diversity is always a good thing in my book, I can remember back preCU when everybody wore Comp armor. This will be a big boost of tailors that have been in real need of repeat business for a long time outside of RE.

Suggestions:
- If it becomes a "tab" replace the option to show/hide helmet and backpack to this tab.
- Iam in favor of it being a separate tab that would be in your inventory. And keeping the appearance armor/cloths separate from your inventory would be very nice. Maybe adding slots much like the crafting process where only a certain resource is allowed in that slot, do the same but for head, chest, shirt, ect, to limit this extra inventory slot not by item count but by possible equipped items.
- Include jewelery. Lets face it some of those necklaces are BIG and UGLY. Be nice to replace it with a cool medal that you have earned that just aren't worn because they have low or no stats.
- Include Backpacks (if possible) The addition of the hide/show backpack is very nice. There are other packs that I know would be nice to see worn but do to the fact that they have no stats makes them all but useless (chiss poacher backpack).

About all I can think of right now, keep up the good work.

**MasterCosmo**

Really, my only concern with this is the Issue with the DOT Resistance Calculations. With all the insane buffs out there, it almost makes no difference whether you use Kinetic or Energy against a player because you'll only see ~0-2% more damage from one or the other.

The fact that DOT resistance is by Armor type however creates a problem. Because of the new DOT Stacking for Commandos especially, we want to be able to use are DOTs to the most benefit. If we see someone in assualt, we'll pull out a COLD elemental and stack that, if we see RIS, we'll pull out a HEAT elemental and stack that.

If we're attacking someone who is really wearing assault armor but has the APPEARANCE of RIS, and I pull out my trusty Acid Launcher to stack my DOTs, it will seriously hurt my DOT damage output as the DOT is being resisted 60% of the time instead of 5%.

This change has a negative impact in PVP obviously, which is a shame.

If there was a different way that DOT Resistance worked then I wouldn't have a problem.

**Miallen_Sredluohs**

Adept, here is my question.

Say a Jedi is wearing his new Jedi cloak, but would like to go simple with his design. For instance, say I want to appear wearing an outfit that includes my Rebel Ace jacket and Rebel longsleeved shirt. Would the armor and regular stats from the cloak and my clothing still apply with just the appearance of the Ace jacket and so on?

**Ashyyki**

Looks really nice, guide is very interesting!

**AdeptStrain**

Miallen_Sredluohs wrote:

Adept, here is my question.
Say a Jedi is wearing his new Jedi cloak, but would like to go simple with his design. For instance, say I want to appear wearing an outfit that includes my Rebel Ace jacket and Rebel longsleeved shirt. Would the armor and regular stats from the cloak and my clothing still apply with just the appearance of the Ace jacket and so on?

In theory, yes. Cloaks are such a weird system in SWG that I'm not sure how they would behave - it's going to be one of my first tests in my research. However, they SHOULD be over written(graphically) by the jacket and long sleeved shirt.

**Matt_NZ**

This is what I'm slightly concerned about:

How will this affect tailors and armorsmiths?
Positively, I hope. Appearance gives people a reason to own more custom armor/clothes without worry of destroying their stats. This also gives our designers the option to create "appearance only" items. Items that are completely useless beyond anything but customizing the look of your player.

As an armoursmith, appearance is only part of what we do, playing with stats to seperate ourselves from the rest of the armoursmiths on the server is the bigger part of the profession. If new suits were to be added, I'd want them able to made just like any other suit out there (ie. they'll need cores, segments, etc) - that is what seperates armoursmith from tailor, afterall.

I also have a concern that the appearance tab will hurt the high-end armour sales for armoursmiths. The Appearance tab will be removing the need for people to get a new suit whenever they want to change their appearance, which has been one of the reasons why the lack of decay hasn't been as big a deal as it possibly could have for armoursmiths.

Please remember that there is more to crafting then simply slapping stuff together with whatever junk that can be found. As crafters, we like things to be engaging and take skill to make, allowing the oppotunity to make a name for yourself SMILEY

spievac

Adaptstrain, I have hated everything this dev team has put together, from Chapter 6 to GU3. That being said, I LOVE this idea. Your bosses would be quite the fools NOT to give this the go ahead.

As far as PVP goes, perhaps maybe have a 'no appearance tab' toggle so those who want to see the real armor CAN... while I fight in my paddy robe. Although to be fair, if people are choosing targets based on armor then they are doing it wrong.

**Coliah** · 05/07/2008 09:51:51

This sounds awesome! Finally one of the first updates I'm actually looking forward to. (I love GU3, by the way.)

But please, you need to make some "invisible" placeholder appearance items because I really do not want to wear this UGLY jmc any more. It's hideous. I'm sure the wardens can just watch for the "hotpanters". Although I do have a male zabrak entertainer that runs around in hot pants...maybe there could be some sort of preventitive action for the combat profs.

EDIT: You guys really need to bring back recon marauder and assault marauder. I miss it dearly SMILEY

**VodKot**

Incredible, AS. I'm loving the sound of all of this.

So, you are saying, that we would be able to swap in clothes for armor? As long as the piece takes up the same slot?
What about swapping in, say, a Ubese jacket or a gunslinger jacket in place of a regular chest piece? Ubese jackets take up chest and both biceps, and gunslinger jackets take up all the arms, though you are able to wear Mabari armorweave gloves with them, which sometimes take up bracer slots. What would this cause to occur? Would the jackets merely hide all of those slots, or remove the pieces equipped to the arms?

Kosman

PLEASE don't let this apply in PVP; I'm a PVPer and when I see recon armor I know what weapons I should be using. This will just lead to everyone running around in god knows what. SMILEY

**Halyn**

What about arm and chest armor? For example, my character normally runs around in striped pants, boots, a headwrap, and a black ubese armor undershirt. I'm not running around nekkid by any means, but would my chest armor and biceps/bracers still show up?

**Ashyyki**

I think its a great idea.

It would bring a new level of custimsation in the game

As for the commando issue, It would be the same for every other profession

not just commando. Not sure about the PVP side of it...

**DarielKeako**

1. PvP situations : I think this is a big reason why people wanted the tab, so they can look how they want in combat.

2. Hotpants thing : Make the tab have a minimum of Shirts, Pants/Trousers and boots before it can change appearance.

3. ETA : Before the Hoth instance will be nice so we may not have to see Jedi run around in potato sacks and bath robes.

**RisslerDark**

Woot!! ME like this

! very nice I know you talk to me at the summit on this and it looks even better then you said it would be! Very cool!