There is constant chatter about the absurd armors of female characters, but the male side has plenty of ominous designs to offer as well! Using World of Warcraft as an example, our author Guddy demonstrates that male characters also wear impractical armor. Guddy is fascinated by warrior armors in WoW.
When it comes to “completely outrageous and impractical armors in video games”, one instantly thinks of the metal bikinis worn by women that only cover nipples and pubic areas. Yes, yes, “sexualization and sexism yay!”, is often waved off with an eye roll, and in a half-asleep state, one might murmur something like “But it’s just fantasy” or “Women should wear the same armors as men, anything else is just complete nonsense!”
However, Red Sonja should be left out of this article because when I think of crazy armors, I think of the plates worn by the men in World of Warcraft.
Heroic Plate? Not a chance!
Once, my warrior took his first steps on Azeroth’s soil and enjoyed his ordinary leather outfit. It could only get better! Just a few more levels and he would trade leather for shiny plate and finally look heroic!
However, he had no idea that in Azeroth, it’s not classic warrior chic that’s in fashion, but rather silly designs!
This is how the armor designers of WoW think
The basics of armor design in WoW look like this:
- Weapon x headgear = awesome helmet!
- Shoulder protection x oversized = great idea!
- Plate + spikes = totally badass!
- Armor – functionality = the ultimate trend!
- Fighter in ice + plate = not cold at all!
- Armor + bright colors = awesome!
But: If every piece of armor were authentic, the visuals of WoW would quickly become boring. I can tolerate bright colors, absurd designs, and naked skin, especially since certain armor pieces like helmets and shoulder armor can be hidden. That helps. A lot.
Disabling factor: infinite
The level of a character was already recognizable by their shoulder armor even before the transmogrification and was measured by its dimensionality. The first shoulder armor clung tenderly to the beleaguered shoulders. Later ones become significantly larger (which often take on ominous features). But how one does not collapse under the end shoulders is beyond me.
These gigantic shoulder armors severely limit the fighter’s field of view, by the way, just like many of the helmets.
Especially with sets like the Tier 1 of the warrior, it surprises me that they don’t get their teeth knocked out while fighting. The “Battlegear of Might” can be seen on the left in the image, with its helmet-like structure making it perfect for excellent nose-picking. Unfortunately only in one’s own, not in the opponent’s, otherwise one might at least sneak in a few extra damage points.
The more absurd, the worse? Not at all!
The armors in World of Warcraft can be quite absurd. And that’s a good thing! The world of Warcraft is not a medieval, serious world, but thrives on the comedic and playful. Fantasy > realism. I like that. In this case.
Transmogrification allows us to create especially outlandish combinations! Colorful parrots, half-naked people, or warriors in the most vibrant pink, nothing is impossible. Everything helps to make the character unique and simply have fun with their appearance.
For these reasons, I still fondly remember the time as a WoW warrior and would find it a shame if suddenly every warrior from level 1 to 1 million wore the same boring, silver 08/15 plate.
Have you ever put together absurd armor sets? What is your favorite combination?
