No dresses allowed!

[Meggiepants]

There was a thread a few days ago about the horrible armor choices mages get. I noticed on that thread so many people defending the armor choices of the mage. Arguments went much like this:
[ul]
[li]Mages use magic, not force. They are too weak to wear armor.[/li]

[li]Mages need to be able to move around to cast their spells, armor is too restrictive.[/li]

[li]And finally, the idea that metal somehow stops magic - which there was some discussion on, but I think this actually goes back to some old D&D classes that couldn't wear metal, like the Druid. So I can actually see where this argument comes from, even if it is a bit antiquated.[/li]
[/ul]

However, all these arguments seem moot to me. Why do fantasy games persist on using these old stereotypes of mages? I simply don't understand?

Armor is too heavy? You are a mage! Use a spell to lighten that shit up! And what, Kevlar can only exist in this universe? Why? Surely writers could find a way to include such a back story into their game.

Mages need to move around? Then why dresses? Do they need to store up excess energy in a tent of fabric? Really? Why not a reinforced set of heavy cloth pants? Why a freaking robe? Do mages get dirty fast? They need to take showers more often? Maybe their sense of smell is heightened by their magical abilities and the truth is, mages aren't weak, they are ranged because the warriors smell like week old sweaty leather.

I think it's time for a mage revolution. For me, I propose that from now on mages must wear pants. No more dresses allowed. Or for that matter, Lady Gaga inspired ensembles. Pants are wonderful. Long live the pants!

For discussion value, what would you change about character stereotypes?

 

[El Poncho]

Seems relevant

Always liked listening to that song when I played my mage on WoW

 

[SilentCom]

This is why there are battlemages- mages who wear armor and can still cast magic! =D

 

[Exterminas]

It's a big fallacy of geek culture that you need to be strong to wear armor.

Only early plate armor made from iron was heavy.
Later models of steel plate weren't too heavy for a healthy average male to wear. Even if you life in a time where plate armor is heavy, mail never is.

Mage have the advantage of not having to move around in it. They just stand there and throw fire.

 

[2xDouble]

Uh... you mean like a Battlemage or Guardian [http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/guardian/]? Go, heavy armor casters!

As far as changing stereotypes... why does the woodsman/naturalist always have to be Elvish and use a bow? Gimme a sword and dagger, or maybe a wooden spear and rope, any day... and a jungle cat. Who needs a ranged weapon when you have a stealthy assassin watching your back all the time? Come to think of it... why do all Elves use bows? F the bow! Coincidentally... F Elves too! [/rant] heh.

 

[Heathrow]

If you're a mage then defense is a secondary concern and dress robes do look like they would be comfy. And, really, who would dare tell you if you looked silly?

Mages need more bunny slipper/bathrobe combos.

 

[oplinger]

Heavy armor hinders somatic components to spell casting. Which makes little sense in games where there is no somatic component to spells, or even vocal. Makes sense otherwise though.

Sometimes it's explained that metal absorbs the energy to cast magic, like electricity, which makes it harder to concentrate it into a spell. Or that it disrupts the flow of energy.

But really it's all just balancing. If my mage could take hits, I wouldn't need someone to take the hits for me. Especially if my magical abilities aren't hindered.

 

[Meggiepants]

Well the actual reason is to foster inter-class co operation. If you're a mage in heavy armour you can dish out a lot of damage and soak it up, you're essentially a tank, DPS and support all at once.

I know the real reason they don't let mages wear armor in video games is because then everyone would play a mage. I'm just saying, why dresses? I want my pants, dammit!

well aside from balancing issues. They are weaker then the other classes who spend their time on physical strength. Putting more weight would slow them to a crawl. Thats the logic. In the same way a soldier trains with swords, magicians train with words, which don't help body strength

Mages would kick everyone's ass if we are going to make an argument based on "Role playing." It's magic. Fireballs from my hands. In a game of rock, paper, scissors, Fireballs, fireballs are going to win every time.

Can you tell I'm a little biased toward mages yet?

 

[WolfEdge]

Because when I conjure the forces of the universe to do my bidding I want big, bad-ass billowing cloaks, robes, scarves and other assorted cloth centerpieces whipping about me in a torrent of magically induced movement.

Good day to you, sir!

*Puts on his robe and wizard hat*

 

[kickyourass]

Well the actual reason is to foster inter-class co operation. If you're a mage in heavy armour you can dish out a lot of damage and soak it up, you're essentially a tank, DPS and support all at once.

Basically this, in most games at least, mages are restricted to robes or just plain clothes, because if they were allowed to clomp around in a massive set of armor like a warrior can, you've pretty much made every warrior class completely redundent.

As for why robes specifically, it probably has something to do with cultural symbolism or something like that, I just think they keep using them cause they look nice.

 

[Meggiepants]

If you're a mage then defense is a secondary concern and dress robes do look like they would be comfy. And, really, who would dare tell you if you looked silly?

Mages need more bunny slipper/bathrobe combos.

Hmmmm, I hadn't thought of this. Maybe you are right, mages are just phoning it in. They are pretty damned awesome...

Of course, I might also like a few T-shirt/Jeans combos, with witty sayings on the t-shirts like, "I'm in ur base, burning ur melee dudes." or "Mages have more reach."

Because when I conjure the forces of the universe to do my bidding I want big, bad-ass billowing cloaks, robes, scarves and other assorted cloth centerpieces whipping about me in a torrent of magically induced movement.

Good day to you, sir!

*Puts on his robe and wizard hat*

If my clothes actually did that when I played, I might enjoy a good robe or too. But they just cling, like they are painted onto my body. But maybe I've got that wrong, and it's an occupational hazard and that's why my robes look painted on. I'm a mage, it's possible I have static electricity problems.

 

[RowdyRodimus]

Well the actual reason is to foster inter-class co operation. If you're a mage in heavy armour you can dish out a lot of damage and soak it up, you're essentially a tank, DPS and support all at once.

I know the real reason they don't let mages wear armor in video games is because then everyone would play a mage. I'm just saying, why dresses? I want my pants, dammit!

well aside from balancing issues. They are weaker then the other classes who spend their time on physical strength. Putting more weight would slow them to a crawl. Thats the logic. In the same way a soldier trains with swords, magicians train with words, which don't help body strength

Mages would kick everyone's ass if we are going to make an argument based on "Role playing." It's magic. Fireballs from my hands. In a game of rock, paper, scissors, Fireballs, fireballs are going to win every time.

Can you tell I'm a little biased toward mages yet?

With an avatar of Frank Sinatra holding a Vaultboy Bobblehead, you can be biased towards anything you want. In fact, I'd go so far that you would be excused if you told everyone you "did it my way" (ok, bad joke).

 

[Vern5]

God this thread is subconsciously screaming for an Arcanum sequel. Where you can make your elf character shoot people with a flintlock pistol and wear steam powered armor... if only...

 

[hazabaza1]

I find this relevant.

Can't really think of much else to be honest.

 

[Meggiepants]

With an avatar of Frank Sinatra holding a Vaultboy Bobblehead, you can be biased towards anything you want. In fact, I'd go so far that you would be excused if you told everyone you "did it my way" (ok, bad joke).

You. You are my new favorite person.

Coincidentally... F Elves too! [/rant] heh.

Elves are messed up. They used to be sinister little baby stealing creatures until Tolkien went and politcally corrected their asses.

Elves should be pissed off some old fuddy duddy went and rewrote their heritage. And then Orlando Bloom came along. Whooo boy. Yep, Elves are messed up.

Well the other thing I can think of is that robes are seen as a symbol of authority and learning. A mage in robes looks a lot more divine and powerful than a mage in casual clothes because of the symbology of long hair, beard and robe in our culture.

Fire. From my hands.

I don't need no robes for anyone to respect that. When there is fire and lighting shooting outta my fingers, I think that gives me all the authority I need.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

God this thread is subconsciously screaming for an Arcanum sequel. Where you can make your elf character shoot people with a flintlock pistol and wear steam powered armor... if only...

Yes Please. ;_;

I like playing as a caster who wears cloth becuase I'm allergic to Iron irl and it makes my skin burn if i come into contact with it. So watching someone 24-7 who wears armour makes me feel itchy. :< I tend to avoid plate wearers in games although most of the time I don't do it conciously I go for rogues and mages.

I like robes I think is what I'm trying to say.