Approaching Extra Armor Padding.

[Littleman]

First, I want you to take a look at these light armor concepts:
http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/q4q5tnh4w8/20120601_4fc90b392f368.jpg
http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/q4q5tnh4w8/20120601_4fc90b0661c5b.jpg

Then these heavy armor concepts:
http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/q4q5tnh4w8/20120601_4fc90b49050bc.jpg
http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/q4q5tnh4w8/20120601_4fc90b178fb11.jpg

Finally, these images:
http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/vmscby2n9f/nc_nov10.jpg
http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/vmscby2n9f/tr10272011-1.jpg

God this game looks sexy as hell.

In the name of customization, I expect to able to pull off what we see in these images in terms of armor padding once we unlock the parts if they're not initially available, but I remember seeing the cert trees from E3 and for every class but the MAX and Infiltrator, there is a cert called Nanoweave armor. Furthermore, the light Assault, engineer, and heavy assault seem to have flak armor.

I know some of you are serious about reading your enemy by their equipment...

So which is it? Do you prefer armor padding to be functional and tied into the cert trees? Functional and optional side-grades - less speed, more durability, but never as tough as HA? Or simply cosmetic features for those that wish to look armored without concerning themselves about trade-offs?

Ideally, I'd like for SOE to come in here and clarify how padding will be handled in actuality. The E3 streams showcased for the most part standard armored medics/engineers/light assaults with just the vest, basic helmet, and not much else.

[GreatMazinkaise]

I wouldn't be surprised to see it tied to BR and be mostly cosmetic, but I guess we'll see...

[Rico Suave]

It would be fun to have armor be linked to certs for customization but I would think that it would be simply cosmetics. Besides, I'd be too busy shooting at them to go "Oh damn he's got nanoweave knee pads, he's gonna be tough to kill".

[Turdicus]

I expect there to be tons of cosmetic options like the ones we saw for the MAX units. There is a LOT of opportunity for SOE to put options into the cosmetic shop, and I think they will. Their challenge will be allowing tons of cosmetic customization while maintaining familiar and standard looks for each of the classes for the teams. Wouldn't want a cosmetic purchase to change the TR's HA silhouette now would we?

[Neurotoxin]

Aesthetic mods. Aesthetic mods, aesthetic mods. Aesthetic mods. They are gonna be a big huge seller for this game, necessary to keep the servers up, and can be made and sold constantly without consideration to stat balancing (as aesthetics have no stats).

I hope they release the least-favored armor and aesthetics for everyone at the start, so that everyone rushes to pretty up their characters.

It would be nice to have additional aesthetics that represent the equipped sidegrades, like representing one armor vs. another if two are available. I think there will be some, and they will likely work in conjunction with alternative armor types.