Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible

  • Introduction
    It took me a while to come up with the title of this thread. I had a few options, but I eventually picked one to (hopefully) get your attention. Now the main core of this topic is one big complaint, but since complaining won't solve anything, I'll come up with some solution as well. For all you scallywags who don't read, feel free to start the discussion right after reading the title.

    Cosmetics as progression
    Sea of Thieves is a game that heavily relies on the idea that cosmetics are a way of progression. You can level up with multiple factions to earn cosmetics, but your pirate won't get any statistic advance over other players. If this game allows you to create your own pirate and become a Pirate Legend on the Sea of Thieves, then we do we all look the same?

    Launch - Not enough variety
    When the game released the outfits were expansive and there wasn't a lot of variety. It was okay since the game was still fresh and the goal was set: get gold, buy outfits and make your character look more pirate. We had about four options to choose from: Admiral (Merchant Alliance), Sea Dog (Order of Souls), Sovereign (Gold Hoarders) and Bilge Rat (Bilge Rats). All four outfits had a special variant that could be unlocked piece by piece by leveling up.
    Not a lot of variety, but this was soon fixed with the: Executive Admiral, Grand Admiral, Corsair Sea Dog, Ruffian Sea Dog, Royal Sovereign, Majestic Sovereign, Rotten Bilge Rat and Castaway Bilge Rat. Although some complaint about the fact a lot of these cosmetics were already in the beta, things were starting to look up as more outfits became available. Not long after, some cosmetics were removed because they looked too similar.

    Bilge Rat Adventures
    When the first Bilge Rat Adventures released we got a glimpse of all the cosmetics that would be coming to the game. The Bilge Rat Adventures started off a little rough around the edges, but the rewards were worth it. With the Bone Crusher and the Wailing Barnacle sets we had some unique new outfits to wear. Sadly, these were the only outfits we got to unlock in the Bilge Rat lifespan.

    Cursed Sails and Forsaken Shores
    Between the Cursed Sails and the Forsaken Shores the game started to focus more on Ship Cosmetics. New looks for the cannons, capstan and helm were leaked.
    The Cursed Sails gave us the Hunter Outfit and with the Forsaken Shores we got the Kraken, Ocean Crawler and the Forsaken Ashes outfits. Again some cool and unique outfits.

    Looking like a clown or actually looking like a clown
    What do you do after becoming Pirate Legend? Well, not a whole lot in the sense of progression towards new Cosmetics. Yes, we have the Ghost outfit to unlock along with some nice esthetics for our ship, but again there isn't a lot of variety. Since every player is allowed to progress in Athena's Fortune, a lot of players could get their hands on these cosmetics. In my opinion, this is all fine, but what about the truly dedicated players and legends of the seas? Where are our unique cosmetics to become that Blackbeard or Jack Sparrow you promised we could become?

    With the Festival of the Damned we got the option to put some face paint or makeup on our beloved pirates. It didn't take long before players found out that they can look like a certain clown form a well known fast food restaurant. I am guessing that creativity knows no bounds, both outside and in the game, but when a clown showed its face in a Developer Stream the number of players equipping this "outfit" skyrocketed.

    The Mercenary Outfit debate and what's still exclusive?
    Before we fire up this discussion again, I want to point out what's still truly exclusive in the game. Players who were loyal enough to pre-order the game got their hands on the Black Dog Pack and those among us who were fortuned enough to buy a Sea of Thieves Themed controller got the Ferryman Outfit. I am not going to discuss the Ebon Flintlock, Obsidian items and Midnight Blunderbuss, because I think that's a different discussion. What I do want to talk about is the Mercenary Outfit.

    The Mercenary outfit was exclusive for those who bought a limited timed card for 3 months of Xbox Live. Personally, I loved this outfit a whole lot, although it is just another reskin of the Black Dog Outfit. This outfit is now available to all players for in-game gold, because RARE caved by the many complaints concerning this availability of this outfit.

    Again, I won't complain, because it was stated that the Mercenary Outfit would be exclusive for a limited time. On the other side of the coin, this raised some concern among the player base. How long before the developers will release the Black Dog and Ferryman to the public?

    Now: Golden Legendary Cosmetics
    This is the part where I will address why I choose the title of this topic and why I am actually complaining. The Anniversary Gifts we got are laughable, to say the least. These cosmetics are again simple reskins of old cosmetics, the same thing rehashed but with a golden touch slapped onto it. It almost feels like RARE is running out of ideas or getting lazy.

    We don't even have all the Legendary Equipment Cosmetics, but they decide to bring in the Golden Legendary Hurdy Gurdy? And speaking of the Ferryman Cosmetics: The Golden Legendary Blunderbuss is almost an exact copy of the Ferryman Blunderbuss.

    The Future: The Arena and Hunter's Call
    As we know by now, these factions will come with new cosmetics to unlock. I can only guess it'll be the same structure as other factions. Get the first one from your local Clothing Store and buy the recolour when you've reached a certain level in that faction. In a nutshell: more reskins/recolours.

    The verdict
    Although we think the developers are pushing out more and more cosmetics I noticed that more and more players look the same.

    The only progression in the game is grinding towards recolours of the same outfits we can buy from the start. It's a shame that a lot of sets don't mix well with cosmetics from other sets and I haven't even started on the lacking number of options for our female pirates out there.

    Maybe it is my fault and I shouldn't have expected more, but I still feel neglected as a Sea of Thieves enthusiast that loyally went on an adventure to collect all the obtainable cosmetics.

    Solution? It has been suggested many times before
    A new feature which allows us to dye your clothes. We can dye our hair, so why not our clothes? Instead of unlocking recolours, we could unlock level specific dyes for outfits respectively. Yes, it's not really a solution, but it points out how many unique outfits there truly are.

    Yes, this has been suggested before, I have seen the topics, but I also noticed that those topics have a quick demise. With this thread, I would like to keep the discussion open and hopefully get the attention of the developers.

    All outfits

    • Sailor
    • Admiral/Ceremonial Admiral
    • Grand Admiral
    • Executive Admiral
    • Sovereign/Royal Sovereign
    • Imperial Sovereign
    • Majestic Sovereign
    • Sea Dog/Rogue Sea Dog
    • Corsair Sea Dog
    • Ruffian Sea Dog
    • Bilge Rat
    • Castaway Bilge Rat
    • Rotten Bilge Rat
    • Legend
    • Ghost
    • Bone Crusher (*)
    • Wailing Barnacle (*)
    • Black Dog (*) / Mercenary
    • Ferryman (*)
    • Hunter
    • Kraken
    • Ocean Crawler
    • Ashen

    (*) Time Limited/Exclusive

    References

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  • @lt-swag-johnson Well written mate... Rare's move now. I'll be honest, i was working hard to fetch the skulls needed for the legendary tankard but after this anniversary update it hardly feels like a reward well earned. I mean why tankard, why not go for a drum maybe? Same goes for the Athena's 7 ghost sails, one of the most coveted due to its ominous glow that strikes fear as you see it approaching from a distance. Now all the fresh pirates have a legendary reskin for the short termed effort they put in during double gain. Don't get me wrong... I'm happy for everyone, just feel a little demotivated because all our efforts seem diluted.

  • Unfortunately I'm not sure your solution is their way to go...

    I know what you are asking (Dying/Tinting a clothing piece to different shades) we arent working on this no. However we actually have a number of colour variants of each set, we have only shipped the preffered primary set colour so far. Looking forward to giving players access to all the other colours in the near future!

    (Reddit)

    So... unless their plans changed, be ready to have more reskins later I guess.

    What saddens me the most is that there is absolutely no love for the shirts, all the cool looking sets shipped without one.

  • @skulliah said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    So... unless their plans changed, be ready to have more reskins later I guess.

    What saddens me the most is that there is absolutely no love for the shirts, all the cool looking sets shipped without one.

    Aye, but that post was 6 months ago.

    I understand that RARE has been very busy in bringing new features and gameplay elements to the game, but I do wonder why we want to progress in these new factions if the rewards are just more recolours of the same cosmetics.

  • Aye mate, I'll have to side with ye on this one. With the new questionable ship designs, and "new" cosmetics not looking as good as they should, I fear that in the coming updates, diversity in clothing will diminish. And it may even start to drive people away because of it. I'm not going anywhere any time soon, but I hope Rare will make the right decision, stop the reskins and sloppy designs, and be original like they once were!

  • Yeah, I agree completely. I love the cosmetics in the game, but I was disappointed in the fact that I don't have any exclusive coat or something to make me stand out or be somewhat unique. I like how the new PL stuff looks, but I worked for the equipment earlier and now I don't feel special with my PL equipment because the new stuff looks cooler, plus it's for free.
    Side note; I like your instagram ;)

  • @lt-swag-johnson Aye, I agree with this. I don't feel special for using my PL equipment or outfits anymore, there used to be a time where legend's outfits were seen so rarely that they actually had a legendary status among players. Since launch legends have only been given a handful of equipment, a new ship, and now the anniversary rewards. The rewards from the anniversary that make me kind of angry are the ship cosmetic, tankard, and Captain Bones' Original Pirate Cutlass. Why should anyone grind out the 500 skulls to get a measly non-flashy legend tankard when they just got handed one free? Why should I continue to grind out the 600k gold to get my legend hull and sails when I was just handed a flashier and more luxurious hull, sails, and figurehead? Why do non-legends get a cutlass that, 100% no doubt, is part of the legendary set? And what the hell makes my Ferryman Blunderbuss special now that I have this gold, luxurious, silver chained knock off that is the Golden Legendary Blunderbuss???

  • Want to look like Edward Teach, a.k.a. Captain Blackbeard? Use the Black Dog set.

    Want to look like Captain Jack Sparrow? Then the Corsair Sea Dog set is your best bet.

    I disagree with the idea that you're limited. Sure, there's definitely room for improvement, but I've been able to come up with all sorts of great combinations! Here are just a few:

    • Conquistador
    • Soldier
    • Lady's Man
    • A lady man
    • Clown
    • Cowboy
    • Ancient Greek (Zeus, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Hera, and Hades)
    • Grizzled veteran
    • Lepur
    • Greenskin
    • Skeleton Hunter
    • Cursed of the Depths
    • Gold Digger
    • Blacksmith
    • Dandy
    • Irishman
    • Brit
    • Scotsman
    • East Indian
    • Native American
    • Samoan
    • Gambler
    • Assassin
      ...and more!

    If you'd like to know how to make any of the above, simply ask! If you kiss, I will tell. 😘

  • @capn-ratstache said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    Side note; I like your instagram ;)

    Thanks! Do you have one yourself?

    @galactic-geek said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    Want to look like Edward Teach, a.k.a. Captain Blackbeard? Use the Black Dog set.

    Want to look like Captain Jack Sparrow? Then the Corsair Sea Dog set is your best bet.

    I disagree with the idea that you're limited. Sure, there's definitely room for improvement, but I've been able to come up with all sorts of great combinations! Here are just a few:

    • Conquistador
    • Soldier
    • Lady's Man
    • A lady man
    • Clown
    • Cowboy
    • Ancient Greek (Zeus, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Hera, and Hades)
    • Grizzled veteran
    • Lepur
    • Greenskin
    • Skeleton Hunter
    • Cursed of the Depths
    • Gold Digger
    • Blacksmith
    • Dandy
    • Irishman
    • Brit
    • Scotsman
    • East Indian
    • Native American
    • Samoan
    • Gambler
    • Assassin
      ...and more!

    If you'd like to know how to make any of the above, simply ask! If you kiss, I will tell. 😘

    Valid point, sure. I have seen some great combinations, but they also exist with the issue of recolours over variety. I just want to see more unique cosmetics instead of the same ones being rehashed.

  • For a game that only depends on cosmetics. SoT is lacking very hard.

    We need a cosmetics Megaupdate!

  • @lt-swag-johnson said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    @capn-ratstache said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    Side note; I like your instagram ;)

    Thanks! Do you have one yourself?

    @galactic-geek said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    Want to look like Edward Teach, a.k.a. Captain Blackbeard? Use the Black Dog set.

    Want to look like Captain Jack Sparrow? Then the Corsair Sea Dog set is your best bet.

    I disagree with the idea that you're limited. Sure, there's definitely room for improvement, but I've been able to come up with all sorts of great combinations! Here are just a few:

    • Conquistador
    • Soldier
    • Lady's Man
    • A lady man
    • Clown
    • Cowboy
    • Ancient Greek (Zeus, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Hera, and Hades)
    • Grizzled veteran
    • Lepur
    • Greenskin
    • Skeleton Hunter
    • Cursed of the Depths
    • Gold Digger
    • Blacksmith
    • Dandy
    • Irishman
    • Brit
    • Scotsman
    • East Indian
    • Native American
    • Samoan
    • Gambler
    • Assassin
      ...and more!

    If you'd like to know how to make any of the above, simply ask! If you kiss, I will tell. 😘

    Valid point, sure. I have seen some great combinations, but they also exist with the issue of recolours over variety. I just want to see more unique cosmetics instead of the same ones being rehashed.

    Why can't we have both? As long as they keep churning out more unique sets, which they are doing, I don't really care if they also add in a few color-palette swaps during that process. Variety is the spice of life, as they say.

    I like to believe that the reason they don't have a change color option on the cosmetics is likely for the same reason we don't have full-control over character creation - they want to have players actually look like pirates. They're not supposed to be pretty or fancy - they're supposed to be rugged, mean, beaten down, scarred... The fact is that by restricting the colors, they force players to potentially use colors they wouldn't normally use. For example, if you got to choose colors, certain colors would be more popular than others (say, for example, red vs. brown). With pre-selected colors, that's not necessarily the case. By limiting the color choices, they're actually getting more variety, IMO - the less is more kind of mentality. Just like with the pirate generator - if we had full control, do you think anyone would ever actually play a fat or really old pirate? Probably not.

  • @aithemed said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    For a game that only depends on cosmetics. SoT is lacking very hard.

    We need a cosmetics Megaupdate!

    That sounds like a great idea.

    @galactic-geek said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    @lt-swag-johnson said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    @capn-ratstache said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    Side note; I like your instagram ;)

    Thanks! Do you have one yourself?

    @galactic-geek said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    Want to look like Edward Teach, a.k.a. Captain Blackbeard? Use the Black Dog set.

    Want to look like Captain Jack Sparrow? Then the Corsair Sea Dog set is your best bet.

    I disagree with the idea that you're limited. Sure, there's definitely room for improvement, but I've been able to come up with all sorts of great combinations! Here are just a few:

    • Conquistador
    • Soldier
    • Lady's Man
    • A lady man
    • Clown
    • Cowboy
    • Ancient Greek (Zeus, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Hera, and Hades)
    • Grizzled veteran
    • Lepur
    • Greenskin
    • Skeleton Hunter
    • Cursed of the Depths
    • Gold Digger
    • Blacksmith
    • Dandy
    • Irishman
    • Brit
    • Scotsman
    • East Indian
    • Native American
    • Samoan
    • Gambler
    • Assassin
      ...and more!

    If you'd like to know how to make any of the above, simply ask! If you kiss, I will tell. 😘

    Valid point, sure. I have seen some great combinations, but they also exist with the issue of recolours over variety. I just want to see more unique cosmetics instead of the same ones being rehashed.

    Why can't we have both? As long as they keep churning out more unique sets, which they are doing, I don't really care if they also add in a few color-palette swaps during that process. Variety is the spice of life, as they say.

    I like to believe that the reason they don't have a change color option on the cosmetics is likely for the same reason we don't have full-control over character creation - they want to have players actually look like pirates. They're not supposed to be pretty or fancy - they're supposed to be rugged, mean, beaten down, scarred... The fact is that by restricting the colors, they force players to potentially use colors they wouldn't normally use. For example, if you got to choose colors, certain colors would be more popular than others (say, for example, red vs. brown). With pre-selected colors, that's not necessarily the case. By limiting the color choices, they're actually getting more variety, IMO - the less is more kind of mentality. Just like with the pirate generator - if we had full control, do you think anyone would ever actually play a fat or really old pirate? Probably not.

    That's not my point. When I am talking about dyes, these are restricted colours.

    Take a look at the official artwork:
    alt text
    Admiral-, Ceremonial Admiral and the Grand Admiral (colour scheme, not actual outfit). This could easily be fixed with multiple dyes

    The developers have confirmed that there are indeed multiple recolours of outfits not released yet (see @Skulliah's message).

    Now consider that these cosmetics are released, that means we can buy the entire outfit again just for a different colour. I already own all cosmetics in the game and my Clothing Chest is just cluttered with a lot of duplicate outfits.

    If you talk about a "less is more approach", shouldn't you have less items in your clothing chest, but more options to customize them? We can dye our hair, why not implement the same type of mechanic for our shirts?

  • @lt-swag-johnson I love that image - it showcases aspects of the grand admiral we don't have! I want thst black and yellow vest! 😅

  • @galactic-geek said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    @lt-swag-johnson I love that image - it showcases aspects of the grand admiral we don't have! I want thst black and yellow vest! 😅

    Don't worry, mate, it will probably clutter up your Clothing Chest anytime soon. Probably end of the year... Maybe 2020.

  • @lt-swag-johnson Not likely - for the most part, it's already a complete set.

  • I feel you dude, great post

  • @lt-swag-johnson said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    Cosmetics as progression
    Sea of Thieves is a game that heavily relies on the idea that cosmetics are a way of progression. You can level up with multiple factions to earn cosmetics, but your pirate won't get any statistic advance over other players. If this game allows you to create your own pirate and become a Pirate Legend on the Sea of Thieves, then we do we all look the same?

    THIS. Well said, sir. Most of the effort in new cosmetics has gone towards limited event-specific time frames, and as someone else mentioned, the progress feels diluted. My cosmetic progression history goes as follows:

    First cosmetic purchase: Level 50 Merchant clothing set and ship liveries.

    Second cosmetic purchase: PL clothing set and ship liveries.

    Third cosmetic purchase: Athena ghost clothing and ship liveries.

    That’s it. That was the SoT merry-go-round. That well-needed sense of progression basically limited to 3 sets, 3 tiers. Otherwise it’s just festival after celebration after event after party after anniversary and everyone’s running around with glowsticks and face paint on.

  • Legend need more cosmetic and weapons! 🤷🏼‍♂️

  • @they-sank said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    That’s it. That was the SoT merry-go-round. That well-needed sense of progression basically limited to 3 sets, 3 tiers. Otherwise it’s just festival after celebration after event after party after anniversary and everyone’s running around with glowsticks and face paint on.

    Exactly, I am trying to look at the issue with a positive attitude. I know the Anniversary Update will bring in some new cosmetics, but I am afraid it just isn't enough when it comes to more variety.

    I know that the developers are doing their best trying, but it feels more like they want to please everybody and not Pirate Legends in general.

    With the Anniversary Update we'll get two new factions with their own unique cosmetics, but what's the point in grinding those factions when you are already Pirate Legend?

    @sunbro95 said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    Legend need more cosmetic and weapons! 🤷🏼‍♂️

    Couldn't agree more

  • @cpt-loki-tuki said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    Don't get me wrong... I'm happy for everyone, just feel a little demotivated because all our efforts seem diluted.

    That bares repeating. “All our efforts seem diluted.”

    Reaching Pirate Legend is much easier nowadays. all our efforts seem diluted

    Reaching Athena 10 is far easier nowadays. all our efforts seem diluted

    Anniversary cosmetics look strikingly similar to a lot of time consuming and exclusive cosmetics. all our efforts seem diluted

    The overall difficulty of the game has been nerfed time and time again. all our efforts seem diluted

  • @they-sank said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    That bares repeating. “All our efforts seem diluted.”

    Reaching Pirate Legend is much easier nowadays. all our efforts seem diluted

    Reaching Athena 10 is far easier nowadays. all our efforts seem diluted

    Anniversary cosmetics look strikingly similar to a lot of time consuming and exclusive cosmetics. all our efforts seem diluted

    The overall difficulty of the game has been nerfed time and time again. all our efforts seem diluted

    @Chronodusk wrote a very nice topic about this issue: It's Time to Dial Back the Rewards

    I don't really mind that the progression towards Pirate Legend or Athena is a lot easier nowadays. I do find it rather peculiar that we're not getting new Pirate Legend content. And yes, I believe the Pirate Legend Anniversary Gifts do not count.

  • I think you missed the Overachiever sails, but they were hideous. So probably best forgotten about

    I feel the Golden Legendary Cosmetics were great but there should have been recognition for Pirate Legends who earned the title before it was possible to buy levels from Duke.

    What about those who made Athena 10 in the first year?

    Pretty sure I logged more than 200 hours in Pioneer but got no cosmetics for that. It would be nice to set sail on the New Insiders seas with a set of Pioneer rewards. If only so the New Insiders can identify those that paved the way, we are a pretty helpful and friendly bunch but it would probably turn into Pioneer boat Sink Them! However I do appreciate that the New Insiders is giving rewards and I am working my way towards the sails.

    My favourite sails of all are still my founders set.

    Also when will the Obsidian Eye of reach be available to buy in game?

  • @lt-swag-johnson what would be unique is how the player wears the clothes.
    Is their jacket open or closed
    Are their shoe laces tied
    Is their hat crooked or to the side

    These variants of the same clothes would make sense.

  • @lt-swag-johnson I wouldn’t mind them making the game easier and easier for new players if they were simultaneously introducing more difficult and new challenges for the seasoned players. At least more difficult stuff to chew on...

  • @racmop Back then, there were no doubloons, no alliances, no easy athena missions, no expensive legends chests and we LIKED it. Forts were rare, highly fought over, more time consuming, worth much less and we LIKED it.

  • I feel dumb. I pre ordered the game and never got the black dog pack but never messaged rare to get my stuff. should I message now or is it to late.

    I feel so dumb...

  • @phantaxus said in Anniversary Cosmetics are terrible:

    I think you missed the Overachiever sails, but they were hideous. So probably best forgotten about

    I feel the Golden Legendary Cosmetics were great but there should have been recognition for Pirate Legends who earned the title before it was possible to buy levels from Duke.

    What about those who made Athena 10 in the first year?

    Pretty sure I logged more than 200 hours in Pioneer but got no cosmetics for that. It would be nice to set sail on the New Insiders seas with a set of Pioneer rewards. If only so the New Insiders can identify those that paved the way, we are a pretty helpful and friendly bunch but it would probably turn into Pioneer boat Sink Them! However I do appreciate that the New Insiders is giving rewards and I am working my way towards the sails.

    My favourite sails of all are still my founders set.

    Also when will the Obsidian Eye of reach be available to buy in game?

    Yep, definitely should have been PL rewards for players who hit PL before Dukes recommendations and alliances, etc. Should obviously be year one athena 10 rewards too.

  • Arent all cosmetics kinda terrible tbh

  • @j0hle

    @Deckhands this one as well, bitte.

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