The Armor of Arakion
Hey all you Kickstarters out there,
In the early update today I just wanted to go into a little bit about how armor works in Arakion. In Arakion instead of finding standard generic cloth armor, leather armor etc... that any class can wear, you forge armor that is customized for each class type. This allows you to craft armor that is specific for your character's play style instead of giving generic stat benefits. This opens up the freedom for me to implement armor pieces that effect class skills, give passive benefits geared towards the class and more.
As you play through the game, much like you would forge new weapons, you will be forging new armor and equipment for your character. You will find rare recipes as well as materials that you will use.
In the example shown above you see a monk with a basic set of armor. After multiple forges this monk has added a necklace, scrolls, a "cape" and an arm brace. You will continue to forge new equipment and replace old equipment for your characters in this fashion throughout the game.
So why choose this system?
The benefit of this system is two fold. The first is that it allows me to create customized equipment for each class. For instance in the example above you can see that the monk has added ancient scrolls. Instead of giving a generic +stat benefit, the ancient scrolls effect the monks ability Fate Shift. They give Fate Shift the chance to increase your critical rate on an enemy after use. In this way it allows every piece of armor you choose to forge to be much more meaningful.
The second benefit is that it allows for more options. In a standard game you will get the generic cloth armor and every character will want to wear that single piece of cloth armor because it gives generic stat benefits. In the Arakion system you can choose what armor to add based on how you play that character. So instead of getting a bunch of cloth gear and healing pieces for a monk with no desire to heal, you can instead choose to craft armor more geared towards the other skills, damage or tanking.
This allows for much more freedom throughout the game and is geared to allow just another level of customization and personalization for each character and class.
And finally before I get going I just wanted to say there will be two more updates coming out today. The first will be either a update regarding the voices or music and the second will be an update regarding the making of or Battlemage so I hope you all are looking forward to them! Be sure to tell your friends about Arakion, we're already so close to hitting that first stretch goal and with your help we'll be there in no time! Thanks again for taking the time to check out the update and I hope you all have a wonderful day.
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Comments
Creator cordell melgaard on October 4, 2012
So my question is related to where we will see this armor. Will this be visible during the dungeon crawl itself or only on a paper doll type character view?
Will we be able to back out of first person view for example?
Creator Avery Campbell on October 3, 2012
I really wish I had the money to increase my pledge for the project. I think we can definitely meet the card game, I really really hope we get to the tower.
Creator Archon - Obsidian Order Illusive Man on October 3, 2012
Indeed, recipe / materials requirements seems a good idea. It would be frustrating to have a rare recipe requiring difficult-to-found materials to forge a piece we couldn't use due to some other restriction.
Would pieces be upgradable as well ? With a better recipe and an additional material for instance ?
Creator Jalister-Eternal Champion of WoOS & OOoE on October 3, 2012
The more I see, the more I like this. This really should have more people behind it. Spread the word, we need this to at least reach $35K!
Creator Chris Taylor on October 3, 2012
@gandalf: Working on it, should be in the game at release. I like having the option to dye armor.
Creator gandalf.nho - Weresheepjaguar Huntress on October 3, 2012
Liked the idea of crafting class-based armor. Question: the armors will have a default color or we will hava a option to change it?
Creator KOCollins The Obsidian Orders Royal Pain on October 3, 2012
I really like the way you plan to have armor work in the game. It is unique, and I think it will keep my interest while playing the game much better then your regular loot drops. I look forward to uncovering every stone in the game to find the perfect blueprint/material for my characters armor. And, also how this makes the replay possibilites even more interesting and varied is mind-boggling-awesome. Keep it up Chris! :D
Creator Darklord on October 3, 2012
Your armour ideas sound great and refreshing to be honest, stick with it!
Creator Chris Taylor on October 3, 2012
Hey guys thanks for the great comments so far. Just as a note I'm by trade a 3D artist, I usually rush through my 2D stuff just to get on to creating 3D, so as I release updates you'll notice a significant quality difference between my 2D and 3D art.
@Archon: There will be a very wide range of armor and equipment pieces for each class, I am all about choices. As far restrictions, as you craft better armor you require higher quality and rarer materials, this in and of itself is a natural restriction. I haven't decided if there will be specific restrictions for individual pieces or not (such as levels or particular skill upgrades), but at the moment simply requiring you to find the materials / recipes has worked in the prototype.
I am interested in hearing what you guys have to say however, so if you think armor should work in a different way or have certain restrictions voice your opinion.
Creator Archon - Obsidian Order Illusive Man on October 3, 2012
Interesting. I assume there will be a wide range of armour/cloth pieces for each class. Will there be restrictions, like minimum level or particular skills upgrade, for each piece ?
Creator Avery Campbell on October 3, 2012
I really like the sound of this system, seems really cool. And as Darklord said, your art looks great, especially for a one person production.
Creator Mikail Freitas on October 3, 2012
Awesome dude!
I really love when games reflect gameplay style on your character. It gives much more that feeling of "Yes, this is me, this is how I play."
Creator Darklord on October 3, 2012
Wow, you know that is really gorgeous character work, each upgrade appearing individually is a mammoth task, but looks fantastic!