This has actually already been partially implemented before by Bethesda (in Morrowind). So I will provide the example to illustrate. In Morrowind, there is:

• Imperial Silver Armor
  
• Imperial Steel Armor
  
• Imperial Dragonscale Armor
  
• Imperial Leather Armor

All four of those armors have the same mesh, they just use different textures.

This would work well with the Smithing system in Skyrim. When at the Forge, we should be able to pick the Material (Glass/Steel/Iron/Leather/Silver/Ebony/etc) and then apply that Material to a Style (Nordic/Imperial/Daedric/Elven/Orcish/Dwarven/Daedric/etc).


This is a more logical and rational categorisation of armor and weapons. It also enhances the customisation and RPG believability of Smithing. Just because a player is using Ebony to craft something, shouldn't mean they are limited to one appearance of the item.

Technically, this isn't difficult to implement. It simply requires providing additional textures to meshes and rewriting some of the Recipes scripts... It simply would be tedious and take time to create all permutations. I will do it if there is enough enthusiasm....

What do you think?

My preferred mesh is Ancient Nord, it looks really bad ass.... So it would be good to be able to make it with other (stronger) materials than Iron and Steel.

The next step for Smithing? letting blacksmithers doing their jobs for once...

Thank you for that wonderfully insightful contribution.

Awesome idea... I think that is probably the simplest way to get some customization that so many people want into the armor, could this be done with weapons as well? So you could have an Ebony war axe that has the style of the Ancient Nord war axe?

Not entirely sure if I'm happy with that. I wouldn't mind having some customization options. But Orcish armor looking like Ebony just wouldn't make sense. Especially if the color scheme and what not remains the same.

I have just been notified that a mod has already pretty much done exactly what I was going to do.... (For weapons, anyway).


Here you go:

http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2933



I might just do the armor then.

I kinda like this idea, I have to admit.

It would have been great to have a specific Crafting skill tree whereby when attaining eg Steel you could then choose from a wider selection of Steel Armors and also the finishing color.

Steel Plate Cuirass with single shoulder Pauldron in crimson etc.

It's a good idea.

I approve this thread.