Posted by Heartbourne on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 - 18 Comments
Tags: 3.1, blue, content patch, Death Knight, Patch, post, PvE, Rogue, set, tier, tier 8, Zarhym
I always wondered about how Blizzard would handle armor designs as new content as released. As players are able to get more and more powerful and fight progressively nefarious enemies, how could armor sets get progressively more epic to reflect the power of the wielders? Thrall is beginning to look less and less cool comparatively. I thought tier 2’s Bloodfang was far cooler than anything until tier 5 for rogues. The Burning Crusade armor sets had quite a few very bizarre armor sets as Blizzard designer’s were reaching to try to make things as epic as possible. They definitely had the theme of Burning Crusade, drawing on the ideas of “lasers! pew pew” used in the nether-themed places and Draenei. The mighty morphing pally rangers will never be forgotten!
The Wrath sets definitely have a distinctive look as well. The tier 7 sets are nigh direct copies of tier 3 since tier 3 was obtained in Naxxramas, which was revamped and moved to Northrend, but the non-tier pieces have had a very satisfying Nordic look that was a little shocking coming from the highly colored and crazy Burning Crusade world. Tier 8 continues this trend, with the items being highly influenced by the Titan architecture and carrying a very “new” look.
Some players complained that the new PvP sets were too bland. Blue poster Zarhym told players:
The look of the sets will improve as the seasons continue. If we started the first sets of PvP gear with asteroids orbiting the shoulders, in a couple seasons you’d be wearing Thrall on your head… Under the current design philosophy, the idea is that in PvE you’re killing very rare and challenging creatures of Azeroth, while in PvP you’re receiving gear from the crafters (so to speak) of your faction to get you battle-ready. Chances are you’re going to be given the gear that’ll get the job done rather than the gear that has to be constructed entirely out of the nipples of a 7,000 year-old dragon.
I personally like this idea. It used to be that my PvP sets would be a mish-mash of pieces from various sets and didn’t look very cool. Now, it blends together much more nicely.
You can check out all the new armor sets for both PvP and PvE gear on MMO champion. Additionally, you can read more about the Frost Wyrm mount reward in season 5 and more discussion on PvP rewards.
Check out the first part of our gallery comparing the tier 8 and tier 7 sets along with all the Wrath Gladiator sets. Today, we feature the classes of the “Lost Vanquisher”: Rogue, Death Knight, and Mage. Druid’s sets are not done yet, so they will be featured later. Thanks to MMO Champion for the renderings of the sets from the PTR. Note that the unreleased armor sets are still subject to change.
Rogue
Mage
Death Knight
The Death Knight’s “Valorous Darkruned Battlegear” appears to be the same as Darion Mograine’s armor. Very cool! Rogue’s PvP sets are boring. They look like a themed grey set. I’ve got to say, the tier pieces look great though. Mage’s tier 7 looks more like druid gear with the moose horns, but the tier 8 looks decent.
What do you guys think? Is the current philosophy of PvP gear’s look good, and are the PvE tier sets maintaining a good look?
Related Posts: Leveling A Mage… Again…, PvP and PvE Armor in 3.1 - Hunter, Shaman, Warrior, Starting Next Week: Death Knight Special, 3.3: New Official Tier 10 Previews, Patch 3.3: Final Tier 10 Preview, Shaman,
By Johnes on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 1:01 pm
The new tier’s looks quite awesome!
By Frozencore on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I love the Fighter pilot DK PVP gear Hehehe
By Ivan on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I want to play a blood elf mage, so i want to have this floating symbol of dalaran in front of my helm of Kirin’dor, or what is it’s name? (who cares ^__^)
By Thorrhan on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 1:29 pm
The PVP sets are a bit bland, but maybe blizz is saving all thier creative juices for next season.
The PVE sets are also nice, not perfect though. My pally has Heroes Redemption, and it’s kinda anti-climactic. There’s no feeling of overpoweredness, unlike Warriors and thier Dreadnaught gear. DAMN U’s WARs!
I was kind of intrigued at the new T8 gear for pallys, but that helmet is atrocious! Making us look like wierd monks and shit! I’ll take the armor, but I’ll use my own helm….:P
By Razius on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 1:36 pm
As Thorrhan said,Blizz is stocking up their best creations so when The Icecrown Citadel becomes a raid,we’ll get flooded by epically designed sets and weapons
Although they did a pretty good job on the upcoming gear,even if they were leaked months before WotLK landed
By PatrickD on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I demand asteroids orbiting my shoulders!
By Jesus on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Is it just me or does every single tier look ugly on humans?
By Vitalio on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 3:05 pm
wher HUnter ?
By Crash on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 3:43 pm
I demand more 7000 year old dragon nipples.
By Eddie T on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 5:12 pm
MORE NIPPLES!!!!
But seriously now that I’ve seen the HD version of the rogue armor T8 I’m less appalled.
By Raethos on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 5:39 pm
PvP Armour looks pretty bland.
DK T8 kicks ass, rogue set is a little too wierd for me, mage looks like a pally with pants instead of robes.
By dwarflordfiv on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 8:20 pm
NO more cowbell
By Hank on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I like the consistancy in this fugly concept, trying to be positive.
By FrostSeer on Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 at 3:52 am
PvE gear looks awesome, but I can’t say the same for PvP sets.
By Carter on Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 at 6:29 am
I don’t care what y’all say, PVE gear for rogues is AWESOME(third one).
By Joebobfred on Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 at 7:52 am
I think the new mage PVE set looks more armored than the death knight PVP….
By Warfather on Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 at 7:58 am
Well I realy think the Warlock T8 looks Awsome!
But i still prefer the warlock PvP lv 70 gear… tho its gone now ;(
By kiley on Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 at 3:41 pm
the PVE tier sets are looking pretty cool but i have to admit the blandness of the new pvp sets are unacceptable.
If the gear is epic quality then, well it should LOOK EPIC as well imo. I mean come on, we had rocks orbiting our shoulders for goodness sake and we turn that in for our level 80 pvp epics that look like poo….
that spells lazy to me in the design department…