The armor rework, itemization rules, armor talismans

[georgehabadasher]

It is possible that the formulas being used for the armor rework aren't quite perfected. When applying the formula to talismans, it seems that it was decided that the formula resulted in armor values and TTK that were much too low, so armor values on potions were increased to compensate. That temporarily mooted the issue, but the fundamental problem with the formula remains. Toughness talismans currently begin to outperform armor talismans when the attacker's armor pen exceeds 50%, and that's not even factoring in the damage types that armor doesn't even mitigate. As attackers armor pen increase, the relative value of the armor talismans plummet.

Toughness, wounds and initiative talismans are clearly superior defensive options at the moment, and in a vacuum, I would have already switched my talismans. However, I'm concerned (hopeful?) that the devs will keep tinkering with the formula and adjust armor talisman values. Considering the rarity of those talismans, swapping back and forth is prohibitively expensive. This also ties in with the extended delay on the armor sets rework. The playerbase has been left in limbo with gearing new characters because end-game armor sets are too expensive to realistically buy multiple sets. You don't want to buy sov/tri, only to have the armor patch drop a week later and warlord/onslaught (or whatever) is the new bis. Personally, I'm sitting in vanq or PvE gear on characters I've that I've started leveling after the armor patch was announced and are now 80--even though I have more than enough crests to buy end-game sets. I'm sure many others are in the same situation.

I guess my point is to ask if it would it be possible for the devs to shed some light on:
1) When (roughly) is the armor rework expected to come out?
2) Is the itemization formula finalized or will it be further adjusted? Especially regarding armor talismans.
3) Is the plan (roughly) to keep the same sets as BiS for the same classes or is it more of a total rework?

I understand that it's not necessarily a positive to share too many development details before patches are released, but in this case, I think an exception might be warranted.

[wildwindblows]

Toughness talismans currently begin to outperform armor talismans when the attacker's armor pen exceeds 50%, and that's not even factoring in the damage types that armor doesn't even mitigate. As attackers armor pen increase, the relative value of the armor talismans plummet.

Armor is nothing without reduced armor pen stat against high armorpen. I dont think toughness can do better in this case.

[Sinisterror]

Time To Nerf toughness so 1 str/bal/int = 0.5toughness and add fortitude to the game(really add it) Time to make original 1600 rp/zeal tactics stack with armour potions + Morales/Procs

Also Morales that have been 30-60s in the past that are now 15s makes them feel barely effective. We desperately need Odjira + Remove Los requirement from Res when inside(or very close to keep) this fixes the pulling into wall and getting stuck but not ressable. Was it squared or what that allowed to res without los in Live Aor? Think about how much this boosts actualy defending AND attacking keep, because attackers can also res without los when close to keep. I know people wont like this but people dont like drastic measures even when they are needed.

Pounces etc all need their hight requirements removed and ranged/melee channels shouldnt have cone of fire at all etc etc=)

[gisborne]

Time To Nerf toughness so 1 str/bal/int = 0.5toughness and add fortitude to the game(really add it) Time to make original 1600 rp/zeal tactics stack with armour potions + Morales/Procs

I'm not sure what you mean with toughness. Anyway, toughness is worse than its offensive counterpart. Initiative is bad too.

What 1600 rp/zeal tactic are you talking about? The proc from their HoT? That does stack with armor potions and morales. It doesn't stack with other abilities though.

[Nameless]

Clarity is indeed important. The changes were announced like 4 or so months ago and i also hesitate to buy some set pieces cos there could be major changes. Other than that it looks like changes are set in stone so i have no idea why they postponed them for so loong

[wonshot]

Keeping the playerbase informed with heads-up, is very welcome.
Keeping the playerbase "hesitant" to invest into gears for a full weather season, is not a good state to leave them in.. Especiall in the MMO genre where "time investment" is a big topic!