Improving the transmute system

katbozejziemi

I'll be blunt, really not a fan of the way this currently works. Biggest problem with transmuting: you can't get the "skin" item back once it's used, some of which, like quest rewards with unique looks, you can never get again. You can't swap them around depending on your mood.

What I would propose, is having a "Transmute" equipment tab which would have slots for transmutable items to put the "Skin" items into, for a price (or maybe pay for removing the item instead). Not only this makes it possible to swap them as you like, it would also make it possible to use transmuting regardless of your character's level and what gear he is currently using. (Edit: which would make even more sense seeing how players of any level can participate in the CTA or seasonal events)

Second biggest problem: current cost. It's still too **** expensive, I'd rather see the "Free Transmute" gone and a general reduction in costs to sub 20K range at max level (and if you think 50K+ per item is cheap you are free to mail me a bunch of GMoP's and CWards).

angrysprite

Transmuting is really an end-game process. Who would transmute anything less than their main level 60 gear? Well, it's okay if you have multiple transmute items but what the heck. It's called transmute for a reason - your gear isn't a mimic (whoa be unto you if it is) - so it's not "copying" the look, it's a tarnsmutation process that will naturally consume the item it is being shaped into.

I personally don't have a problem with the way it works in-game now. Preview all transmutes BEFORE actually transmitting anything to be sure you want it (Choose "change appearance" from the item in your inventory).

What I *DO* want to see are more purchasable transmute items in-game vendors or even Zen market (like the Adventurer of Bahamut pack - I bought for the transmutes, not the companion) 0 that would be stuff people want to buy to be sure.

katbozejziemi

So you don't want improvements because of semantics. Okay.

angrysprite wrote: »

Transmuting is really an end-game process. Who would transmute anything less than their main level 60 gear?

I'm pretty sure I addressed this in my post. You'd know that if you actually bothered reading it.

angrysprite

katbozejziemi wrote: »

So you don't want improvements because of semantics. Okay.

I'm pretty sure I addressed this in my post. You'd know that if you actually bothered reading it.

True and yes. I did "actually bother" to read it. I generally agree. I commented to 1) throw-in my thoughts in general on the subject and 2) give it a bump. My direct reply was to this portion of your comment:

it would also make it possible to use transmuting regardless of your character's level and what gear he is currently using...

Please don't presume that I didn't 'actually bothered" to read your post or that I do not give it respect. These kind of presumption occur too frequently in these forums and are wrong more often than not.

There, I just gave it another bump.

You're welcome.

katbozejziemi

angrysprite wrote: »

Please don't presume that I didn't 'actually bothered" to read your post or that I do not give it respect. These kind of presumption occur too frequently in these forums and are wrong more often than not.

Sorry, but people responding without reading the entire post (or even any of it) happens way too often. And it's not by any means something unique to these forums, it's forums in general.

angrysprite

katbozejziemi wrote: »

Sorry, but people responding without reading the entire post (or even any of it) happens way too often. And it's not by any means something unique to these forums, it's forums in general.

Yes, I agree. And no offense taken.

Now to actually add to the conversation in the extremely dim hope that some Cryptic official will actually see this thread and pass along what they see...

I agree that transmutation costs too much AD, but I really don;t think they'll be lowering the price. It's a good sink that works. What I want to see are *more* free transmute items design specifically for transmuting; and not in-game, but rather in the Zen Market: ala the Bahamut Adventurer's pack. It comes with a companion and an account-wide reclaimable weapon transmute for every class. I bought it for the transmutes not the companion (I have too many of those as it is).

I want to see similar packs for armor sets (Helm, Armor, Gloves, and Boots) - say a different pack for each class. I want to transmute my stuff but it's near impossible to find anything - for lack of knowing what;s there and what it looks like (in the Auction house, for example).

Having such in the Zen Store would not only make it easier for me to 'shop' for the 'look' I want it also will generate revenue for the studio; win/win for everyone. But apparently this idea has yet to strike anyone at Cryptic as far as we can see from this side of the fence.

rabbinicus

katbozejziemi wrote: »

I'll be blunt, really not a fan of the way this currently works. Biggest problem with transmuting: you can't get the "skin" item back once it's used, some of which, like quest rewards with unique looks, you can never get again. You can't swap them around depending on your mood.

What I would propose, is having a "Transmute" equipment tab which would have slots for transmutable items to put the "Skin" items into, for a price (or maybe pay for removing the item instead). Not only this makes it possible to swap them as you like, it would also make it possible to use transmuting regardless of your character's level and what gear he is currently using. (Edit: which would make even more sense seeing how players of any level can participate in the CTA or seasonal events)

Second biggest problem: current cost. It's still too **** expensive, I'd rather see the "Free Transmute" gone and a general reduction in costs to sub 20K range at max level (and if you think 50K+ per item is cheap you are free to mail me a bunch of GMoP's and CWards).

I agree with almost all of this, except that free transmutes should not go away.
Transmutation is still far too expensive.

beckylunatic

I would venture that one of the reasons Sprite likes the Bahamut pack is because... *fanfare* it allows you to maintain a skin you like to use again! As many times as you want!

Free transmutes are terrific, particularly with the high costs. I have a proposal that keeps that feature.

To riff on the OP, it would be fabtabulous to allow us to have a transmute library. Change your appearance as much as you want... mix and match. Free transmute items don't cost anything to add to the library. Regular items do have a cost attached to being added to the library, but once they're added, they're just available, forever. Bought the Warlock, Ranger, or Bahamut pack? Cool, those skins are in your library now. Got an irreplaceable skin like a Caturday cloak? Save it in the library.

You want to monetize it further? Make it like idle companion slots where you get a default amount of space for free, but can buy multiple expansions for a nominal amounts. People less willing to pay will have to be selective (make it possible to permanently delete a skin if you really want). Fashionistas can have a huge array of gear looks to choose from and will be very happy.

I vendored a ton of free transmute items that I got in Simril gifts because I didn't really like them or because I just plain ended up with too many taking up space. I've started throwing away the free appearance change cloaks we got in ToD, or applying them to companion gear. It bugs me, but the bag and bank space needs to be reserved for things that are useful or that I really like and not just would kinda-sorta prefer to save.

It should also be possible to remove a transmute, which would be possible with a library system. Artifact cloaks have some neat looks but might not match your other stuff, or might clip while a scarf skin does not. Change your gear and it might be nice to revert back to the cloak's original appearance, which is currently lost forever.

Also, the Ring of Violet Luminescence needs to be possible to apply to rings.

burkaanc

rabbinicus wrote: »

I agree with almost all of this, except that free transmutes should not go away.
Transmutation is still far too expensive.

50k is nothing really, price is fair and it helps the market, 2 much AD would ruin economy

the few changes i would like
a) allow to transmute to different class equipment as long as it is similar type(for example you could transform sw dagger to tr dagger, or GF sword to Pala mace, but you couldnt transform greatsword to an orb, or longsword for a dagger)
b) ability to remove all transmutes/color from an item

khimera906

Yes 50k is not that much the first time. I transmuted all my gear and it all cost at least the transmutation price (some of it I had to buy from AH or wondrous bazaar). I'm fine with that, as it's very important for me to customize my characters. The problem is, now that we're moving on to level 70 gear, all my investment is lost. I will have to pay the fees again if I wanna keep my looks. That's just one example of what's wrong with this system. A library function is absolutely necessary.

skinlikewinter

Prices can be steep for transmuting for many if not all level 60+ items. I rarely try it, unless i have a free item to use or if it is a leveling item such as dragon bone weapon, mulhorands, and artifact weapons.

Reason for these items are because if you have a skin you like, then you can transmute the above mentioned ones to that skin with little AD cost, only when the item being transmuted is low level (green). the longer you wait and higher level that item becomes, the more it will cost.

Artifact weapons worked this way when WoD went live, i dont know if it was changed afterwards. ahvent needed to re-skin again.

katbozejziemi

Also, this is somewhat related aspect, the item preview window needs to have a fixed light source position. Currently when you rotate your character it rotates the light as well so it's always lit only from the front, making it a huge pain when changing the look of cloaks/shields, especially when dyeing.

masterjewstar

I second the transmute library idea no sense in keeping transmutes in the inventory not like it isnt full of stuff 90% of the time anyway plus if I'm gonna shell out 60k to change one items' "look" I should be able to have that look forever if I want regardless of gear changes/upgrades.