Poll: The fantasy RPG genre needs more practical equipment

[ninja666]

I don't know if I'm the only one that's been bothered by it, but it seriously needs to be said nonetheless - the RPG genre needs more practical equipment! It has always bothered me how in fantasy RPG and action games the equipment is often made to be over the top and exaggerrated. It's always an oversized slab of iron with spikes and huge, huuuuge shoulderpads, that would've crushed your head if you raised your arms [http://www.wallpaperup.com/uploads/wallpapers/2013/11/23/178638/ac9a46163356143d638f82e834dbd705.jpg], a "sexy armor" covering so little that it makes me question its purpose [http://matthewsylvester.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/sexy-terra-tera-mmorpg-online-female-elf-warrior-costume-sci-fi-fantasy-armor.jpg], or something that's only purpose is to look badass and and emphasize your testosterone-oozing hero's masculinity [http://cs1.gamemodding.net/posts/2014-05/42852500_1399441877_54105319_TESV_2014-02-20_15-01-45-08.jpg]. And that's armor. Weapons are no better - I constantly see shitty, disproportionate, and otherwise unpractical weapon designs like this [http://static-3.nexusmods.com/15/mods/110/images/11167-4-1330154941.jpg] and aforementioned armor designs in RPGs, whether it's high fantasy, like Oblivion, or dark fantasy, like Diablo. It baffles that over the years you can count games that got equipment part right on one hand. Seriously, what's wrong with usefulness? You can make your weapons and armor practical and manage to get an even better effect than with all the spikes and pauldrons bigger than your head. I patiently await the day when the RPG devs will change their view and realize that this

Spoiler

looks better and more badass than this

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[Blue C Jeffrey]

Aw yeah, Mount & Blade!

I can see where you're coming from, although I'm fine with fantastical armor and weapons. It's a style thing more than anything. While practical stuff displays more of a grounded setting, fantastical stuff shows a over-the-top and, well, fantastical setting.

I mean, look at Warhammer. The direction taken with their gear is almost like a brick to the face (not as subtle, though) and they're damn proud about it.

 

[duwenbasden]

The same can be said to:

- Why Jaegers to fight Kaijus when everything else are more practical?
- Why a Porsche when everything else are more practical?
- Why a suit and tie, and a tophat when everything else are more practical?

Conclusion: Because Rule of Cool [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuleOfCool], otherwise, you're Stormtrooper #396 boring.

CAPTCHA: 15 FLAIR.

 

[JaceArveduin]

... I don't see anything wrong with that particular bit of Skyrim armor... Yeah, you're not completely protected, but it covers the important bits and leaves your arms free to do things.

Other than that, things such as the above-mentioned Warhammer have basically created an identity through the way the armor looks.

 

[ninja666]

I can see where you're coming from, although I'm fine with fantastical armor and weapons. It's a style thing more than anything.

Sure, it's a style, but having fantastical elements doesn't exclusively have to mean Warhammer. An example? Demon's Souls - their armor have fantastical elements - wings, weird helmets, and are often colorful, but yet they managed to keep them relatively practical and down-to-earth.

 

[SonofSpermcube]

looks better and more badass than this

Spoiler

Spoiler

Wow, male sexy armor? Don't think I've ever seen that before. Seriously, that looks like some Skyrim boobmod armor.

Also, at least they gave Red Sonja muscles.


Oh, and that axe in pic #2 is bullshit.

 

[Blue C Jeffrey]

I can see where you're coming from, although I'm fine with fantastical armor and weapons. It's a style thing more than anything.

Sure, it's a style, but having fantastical elements doesn't exclusively have to mean Warhammer. An example? Demon's Souls - their armor have fantastical elements - wings, weird helmets, and are often colorful, but yet they managed to keep them relatively practical and down-to-earth.

What do you think specifically makes the armor practical and down-to-earth even with the fantastical elements?

 

[Fat Hippo]

It's a matter of personal preference, but yeah, I tend in this direction as well. When characters are walking around with shoulder pauldrons higher than their fucking heads, I find that silly rather than cool-looking. It's not even about "realism", some of the more down-to-earth sets shown here would probably be too heavy for a non-mounted warrior to fight in effectively, but the sense of aesthetic, for me anyway.

As for the "needs": I would enjoy it if games would move away from these walking hunks of metal and chainmail-bikinis (for men and women respectively) while others would surely protest. Though I would argue that the style proposed here is in a minority in the landscape of video games, so cater to us for once developers, would ya!? Please?

 

[ninja666]

What do you think specifically makes the armor practical and down-to-earth even with the fantastical elements?

Basically, it's something you'd not be afraid to wear into a real battle. It has to be sleek and slender, fit well, protect every part of your body equally and allow you to be mobile. I don't know how buff you'd have to be to be able to move and fight with a Warhammer or Warcraft-styled armor.

 

[Blue C Jeffrey]

What do you think specifically makes the armor practical and down-to-earth even with the fantastical elements?

Basically, it's something you'd not be afraid to wear into a real battle. It has to be sleek and slender, fit well, protect every part of your body equally and allow you to be mobile.

Fair enough for the most part, although what about Havel the Rock from Dark Souls? It's quite protective, but hardly slender or mobile except with relatively high stats.

Can'tStopTheRock.gif

I don't know how buff you'd have to be to be able to move and fight with a Warhammer or Warcraft-styled armor.

Heavy-weight strength combined with indomitable suspension of disbelief, I'd imagine.

 

[ninja666]

Fair enough for the most part, although what about Havel the Rock from Dark Souls? It's quite protective, but hardly slender or mobile except with relatively high stats.

Can'tStopTheRock.gif

I think he's more or less an exception because the lore states he was one of the few strongest people in Lordran (mainly because of his fancy bishop signet ring, but still) and that armor was custom-made just for him from a literal slab of rock (hence his wrestler-like nickname).

 

[MrKupos]

I get where you're comming from with these statements, myself being a fan of plate armor, I have a hard time with these kinds of fantasy armor... If you want to live in time of war, you might want to use more then barbaric chest hair to survive any kind of stab-stab.

I do like over-the-top heavy plate armor tho, just like Warhammer's space marines, they feel like medieval superheroes.

 

[Duster]

I feel it's rare that fantasy actually needs much deviation from practicality to have wonderful narrative elements.

As an example, deadric armor unlocked a grand total of zero plot devices. It received mention in a single story and the soldiers who got their hands on it lost the battle anyway. It was no different than standard military objectives, and it just felt like a cheap reference.

@blue c
I wouldn't feel safe wearing havels. I might take his bracers or boots but the rest of his armor looks awful. Now in dark souls there is an item called havels ring which is a sort of tie in to his armor and explains why he wears it. It at least has a basic reasoning.

Something like the dragon helmet from DA:i trailers doesn't have that magic. I think it's a big mistake on their part. Skyrim at least pretended to have realistic armor in the trailers, and the early towns there where practical devices all around, such as a saw mill.

I wish I had my realistic armor folder still, but I don't so have these from google.

http://www.modaruniversity.org/images/Teutonic-Knight-gear.jpg


http://www.hobby.dn.ua/images/catalog/miniart/big/72009_1.jpg

 

[DoPo]

Weapons are no better - I constantly see shitty, disproportionate, and otherwise unpractical weapon designs like this [http://static-3.nexusmods.com/15/mods/110/images/11167-4-1330154941.jpg]

Erm, while I generally agree with you, that right there is just a bad example as it fits extremely well. These are Daedric weapons. Pretty much alien technology for the world. Sure, why humans (and other playable races) choose to use them if, impractical, could be criticised[footnote]even then, I am not actually too familiar with the lore behind them, so maybe they only work if they are in that shape. And we already know that they seem to be among the top notch equipment in the world.[/footnote] but Daedric equipment is supposed to be...well, alien.

 

[ninja666]

Erm, while I generally agree with you, that right there is just a bad example as it fits extremely well. These are Daedric weapons. Pretty much alien technology for the world.

A better example for you, then: a steel battleaxe from Morrowind. It's no alien technology here, just a hunk of metal.

I'm pretty sure it'd be too heavy to hold upright, let alone swing it without falling down after.

 

[Blue C Jeffrey]

I think he's more or less an exception because the lore states he was one of the few strongest people in Lordran (mainly because of his fancy bishop signet ring, but still) and that armor was custom-made just for him from a literal slab of rock (hence his wrestler-like nickname).

Yup yup. Would you say that the armor is practical given his strength and ring, or is it too much?

Thanks for the discussion, by the way.

I wish I had my realistic armor folder still, but I don't so have these from google.

http://www.modaruniversity.org/images/Teutonic-Knight-gear.jpg

http://www.hobby.dn.ua/images/catalog/miniart/big/72009_1.jpg

It would be cool to have a game where you play city guards in that kind of attire. Whereas the fancy schmancy knights wear their shiny armor, you and your fellow band wear light-weight yet protective gear.

Manage the everyday riff-raff while also doing battles with dragons at day, seamonsters at evening, and werewolves at night. Would you be forgiving or punishing? Would you side with the nobility for fame and promotions, or with the peasantry out of good-will? What of your fellow guards as well? Are the citizens of a nearby town worth the same as a friend who would follow you to the ends of the earth? Would you work with a guard who treats you like dirt?

"A Guard's Job is Never Done."

 

[ninja666]

Yup yup. Would you say that the armor is practical given his strength and ring, or is it too much?

Considering it's made of stone, it's kind of an overkill, even for a very strong man with a magic-imbued ring that enhances this strength even more. As far as battle priest armor goes, I find the heavy cleric set from Dark Souls to be far more practical.

It would be cool to have a game where you play city guards in that kind of attire. Whereas the fancy schmancy knights wear their shiny armor, you and your fellow band wear light-weight yet protective gear.

Manage the everyday riff-raff while also doing battles with dragons at day, seamonsters at evening, and werewolves at night. Would you be forgiving or punishing? Would you side with the nobility for fame and promotions, or with the peasantry out of good-will? What of your fellow guards as well? Are the citizens of a nearby town worth the same as a friend who would follow you to the ends of the earth? Would you work with a guard who treats you like dirt?

"A Guard's Job is Never Done."

Yes, the game'd be especially interesting during duty at the town gate. Main objective: Stand in place for 12 hours.

 

[ninja666]

Also, axes are a lot smaller than you think (like, a lot smaller).

I've seen "real" battleaxes in my life - my town does a medieval fair every year and you can buy some weapon replicas there, as well as watch duels between enthusiasts, and it's true, the axes aren't very impressive. But since we're talking about fantasy games with more practical equipment and not going full realism, I'm still gonna prefer more sturdy-looking, tools-ey battleaxes. Not ridiculous ones, of course, but rather something like this:

It still can pass off as "practical" imo. At least surely more than Morrowind or Warhammer ones.