Let me start off by saying that all of this is under the assumption that there will be more than 1 of each specific type of weapon (multiple bolters etc).

Proposal: Instead of limited edition weapons being a unique separate weapon, change them to a unique skin that can be applied infinitely to any weapon of its type. Example: Bolter A/B/C/D appearances can all be changed to look like Limited Edition bolter via application of skin, that could also be removed when desired.


The Issue w/ Limited Edition Weapons

If my assumption is correct & there will be multiple bolters/other race equivalent weapons available, chances are eventually players will want to use other weapons than the one they purchased for $35.00. Rendering their $35.00 purchase null/void. Seeing as EC is largely inspired by Planetside 2, players will find themselves in situations where "Bolter A" is superior to "Bolter B". Perhaps bolter A is more suited for close quarters combat, whereas bolter B has better accuracy at long ranges. Here are 2 examples to further illustrate the idea:

Here are 2 LMG's from Planetside 2. While very similar in appearance, they are each slightly different & excel at one thing in exchange for another. For example the Rhino has lower rate of fire, but better accuracy whereas the MSW has higher rate of fire, but lower accuracy.

T-16 Rhino


MSW-R


Eliminates The Pay To Win Argument Entirely

No matter what the stats will be on the limited edition weapons, there will be a vocal minority who decree that these weapons are "Pay 2 win". If the limited edition weapons are changed to skins however, that argument no longer exists. This will ensure that all players will feel they are on an even playing field & not at a disadvantage because they didn't spend $35.00 for a pixel weapon.

As someone who owns all 4 of these weapons, I don't ever want my opponent to feel at a disadvantage or believe that he/she lost as a result of these limited edition purchases.

Adds Value To Limited Edition Weapon Content

I've played Planetside 2 extensively & if there is one thing I have found is that you will find yourself switching between weapons regularly. If you recognize the strengths of the weapons you wield, you will use them in the environment they are suited for. With that said, I feel the value of these limited edition weapons would be increased substantially by being allowed to be used as a skin on any weapon of its type vs. being restricted to 1 specific weapon.

Yes please. Buying weapons with stats for RL-cash is the only negative thing about this game so far.

Agreed. Its important that no one feels at a disadvantage simply because they did not spend $35.00 for these limited edition purchases. Eliminating this segregation between players will also disarm critics from using it as ammunition to dissuade new players from trying the game. As someone who owns all of the ones currently available, game integrity is more important to me than self appearance.

I see your point I really do, however they have stated multiple times that the items in the Rogue Trader are side-grades and as combat in this game is effectively rock>scissors>paper there will always be a situation is favorable to a certain weapon and you being able to sometimes decern what weapon the enemy is using by seeing what type it is is helpful in generating a tactic to counter it. So I put it to you that it is in fact more pay to win to cloak a weapon from enemy vision with a skin, thus hiding it's true capabilities/stats then limiting it to one set of stats and it always being visible.

Agree completely with op. Though the devs have said that these LE weapons won't make you stronger than their base counterparts. I have a irky feeling that it will in specific scenarios like you say, especially to the hardcore min/maxers out there who will dissect every little stat.

Seriously just make it a unique skin only, and get this forest fire waiting to happen put out. Same goes for heroes/elites/vehicles etc. Once you start giving separate stats no matter how stronger or less stronger it is, it will hurt game balance in the end.

So you're saying you want a skin for the limited edition bolter that can be applied to other bolters of different strengths? That doesn't make a lot of sense considering the different patterns/marks of bolters in some cases have their own distinctive weaknesses and strengths associated with that weapon. So by looking at a characters weapons you can determine how accurate that weapon is, what it's strength may be (if I remember one of the bolters is a slightly different caliber than the others), range, ammo capacity etc. based on it's appearance alone.

Your arguement also states that you believe the complaints will come from a "vocal minority". Isn't a thread like this rather premature based on assumptions of what you imagine that group will complain about without knowing what else is going to be in a players armory/arsenal to choose from?

The groups that you fail to mention at all are the players that will use the LE weaponary regardless of how powerful it is because they like how it looks and/or the lore behind it.

I don't believe the limited edition bolter will be the best one in the game. I'll give the Devs the benefit of the doubt that they'll balance the weapons rather than making the LE stuff the bestest there is.

you beat me too it....

I don't get the point: the devs have already said that Pre-Heresy weapons have different stats but they are not more powerful than a standard one. They simply have different but not overpowered stats so no one can yell thats a pay to win game. For instance, the Chaos Ferrox Pattern Bolter has larger ammo clip but surely does slightly lower damage output per shot or have worst accuracy or lower firing range. Everything will be balanced so do not worry and have faith in the Empr...ehm, in the devs.

Yea I've always imagined they should go this route, the only difference separating one bolter from another was it's weapon attachments to change specific stats, they should NOT go the route of adding different bolter patters = different stats, as lore as it is, it's stupid for a shooter game.

Just stick to weapon attachments but with more diverse/unique weapon attachments it's tried and tested because it works and is easier to balance.

Also, a player was never able to tell what kind of loadout the other person had just by looking at his skin. Nor should you ever know what the enemy's loadout is no matter what weapon skin s/he is using.

I don't mean to sound rude so I apologize if I do, but I won't trust a word the devs say until I actually play test the game myself and give feedback accordingly. Because I know the devs will make many mistakes too. Sometimes they won't go through with their word, we'll just wait and find out.