Most (non-CM) orange shells changed to blue rarity. Why?

[Estelindis]

On the PTS, I have noticed that most orange shells have been changed to blue. The only items that now have orange rarity are cartel market items. I really don't like this. From the start of the game, orange has represented custom/moddable rarity (even though some items of other rarities can be modded as well, typically rare drops or endgame items). This change makes it a lot harder to see moddable shells in one's inventory and cargo hold, as all the formerly-orange items look to the casual glance like unmoddable blue items. For the sake of curiosity, I'm asking what the purpose of this change is, but really what I'd like is for it to be changed back, please.

[SteveTheCynic]

On the PTS, I have noticed that most orange shells have been changed to blue. The only items that now have orange rarity are cartel market items. I really don't like this. From the start of the game, orange has represented custom/moddable rarity (even though some items of other rarities can be modded as well, typically rare drops or endgame items). This change makes it a lot harder to see moddable shells in one's inventory and cargo hold, as all the formerly-orange items look to the casual glance like unmoddable blue items. For the sake of curiosity, I'm asking what the purpose of this change is, but really what I'd like is for it to be changed back, please.

There were always some moddable shells that weren't orange. Some were purple (and could even drop from open-world mobs), some were green (pre-equipped companion droid armour pieces, the second blaster that Corso gives a flirty female smuggler, etc.), and a few were blue anyway.

 

To say nothing of the purple, yellow, and green Tier-Gear shells that dropped from Command Crates.

 

Has it all gone blue?

[Estelindis]

There were always some moddable shells that weren't orange. Some were purple (and could even drop from open-world mobs), some were green (pre-equipped companion droid armour pieces, the second blaster that Corso gives a flirty female smuggler, etc.), and a few were blue anyway.

 

To say nothing of the purple, yellow, and green Tier-Gear shells that dropped from Command Crates.

 

Has it all gone blue?

I said myself that there were always some moddable shells that weren't orange. I can't comment about every single last shell since I don't have every single last one on my PTS characters! However, as far as I can tell, moddable shells that were previously not orange are still not orange (e.g. purple, gold, etc.). But all non-CM orange shells have been turned blue. This includes legacy weapons and off-hands.

Edited September 3, 2019 by Estelindis

[Etherax]

The Color of the item determines the tier, you can have moddable versions of all tiers.

[Balameb]

There were always some moddable shells that weren't orange. Some were purple (and could even drop from open-world mobs), some were green (pre-equipped companion droid armour pieces, the second blaster that Corso gives a flirty female smuggler, etc.), and a few were blue anyway.

 

To say nothing of the purple, yellow, and green Tier-Gear shells that dropped from Command Crates.

 

Has it all gone blue?

My toons wear a lot of the armor from alliance crates and all turned blue.

My bet is they want orange for CM items only. Although i think CM also has a couple purple things, at least for some weapons.

[Sarova]

However, as far as I can tell, moddable shells that were previously not orange are still not orange (e.g. purple, gold, etc.). But all non-CM orange shells have been turned blue. This includes legacy weapons and off-hands.

I noticed this in the first round of this PTS and thought it was a bug so didn't add any feedback. I saw it first on the beginner gear vendor on the fleet, who I've often used in the past to get gear for lowbie alts that I would just re-mod until level 70. All the gear on that vendor that was previously orange and moddable is now blue and unmoddable. I'd be very interested to hear the reason for this change (if it's intended).

[DreadtechSavant]

Interesting, had not noticed myself. Will look out for that when PTS go's live with the new changes for 2.1.

 

As for why? Good question.

[Estelindis]

Happy to see this has changed. While I like the original way we had orange shells for most custom gear, I think the current changed situation has pleasing advantages. Namely, non-CM custom items now take on a border colour the same as the rarity of their armoring. Edited September 18, 2019 by Estelindis

[phalczen]

Happy to see this has changed. While I like the original way we had orange shells for most custom gear, I think the current changed situation has pleasing advantages. Namely, non-CM custom items now take on a border colour the same as the rarity of their armoring.

 

The downside is that with the "Bound to Legacy" icon now in the tooltips, and the border changed from orange to the quality, it makes it difficult to tell, on first look, where my legacy shells are, when I open my inventory. Many of the thumbnail icon views of weapons or armor look very similar. It just adds an extra step now.

[Estelindis]

The downside is that with the "Bound to Legacy" icon now in the tooltips, and the border changed from orange to the quality, it makes it difficult to tell, on first look, where my legacy shells are, when I open my inventory. Many of the thumbnail icon views of weapons or armor look very similar. It just adds an extra step now.

Yes, I do wish that all legacy-bound items would keep their legacy icon, without relegating it to the tooltip. We should be able to see all our legacy-bound items at a glance.

[Hawkebatt]

My suggestion for former legacy items is to retain the shield or have it change to a square circle or triangle. DVL gear should retain the shield. Any vendor gear that requires either token DVL reputation, social level should retain the champion symbol. That the former legacy gear could also have the adjusting border to reflect the mods that are inside them.

 

I can see changing hundreds of pieces of gear maybe too much but if it is as easy as the newest gear than probably not. Still having some type of marker on the outside even if it is AS for alliance specialist then it would make the gear identifiable. Then again other than their look and that they were used to transfer mods and augments to other toon most will trash those items.

 

Some items should just be grandfathered out of the new rules, but I am fine with the old legacy supply crate gear being blue. Just not with the specialty gear DVL leveling gear, dark or light gear, reputation gear, social gear. Those need to stick out as unique.

 

There are more colors than gray white green blue purple orange and gold. Different shades of the other colors. Yellow pink lilac, light blue, light or dark green. Bronze, silver, gold, and platinum is used for cartel so the borders for cartel could have been all platinum with just the symbol showing bronze silver gold or platinum status leaving the brown for former legacy items.

Turning everything blue I think is a lazy programmer's way out. Then again I would rather have them working on making the game work right and without bugs so I am fine with the color.

 

EDIT: I took some gear with different mods in them whether legacy or supply crate legacy and they change color depending on the mods inside. I like this.

Still need a marker for the specialty former bronze orange shells. END EDIT

Edited September 18, 2019 by Hawkebatt

[Melkorjrrt]

seriously this need to be changed back. i dont like all my legacy gear or uber mod gear looking like blue vendor trash. there is no good reason to change this to what is is on PT. thank you for making every gearing issues worse

[Monterone]

I'm ok with any color on it as long as they add a MODDABLE tag onto the gear and make that a searchable term on GTN. I do not want to look through scores of blue items in search of moddable ones.