Pattern

“Patterns” are used for reshaping items in the game. This system will allow players to change the visual appearance of many items in the game while preserving the functionality and data associated with that item. In the case of a weapon, that means that it will still retain all of its stats including damage per second, durability, enchantments, etc. even though it looks different. Patterns will work on gear and decorations.

Patterns are used to reshape existing pieces of gear in much the same way you would enchant that gear at a crafting station. You take a weapon or a piece of armor to the appropriate station (ex. Longbow to a carpentry station) and then use a pattern to reshape that item into something visually different. Patterns can be obtained through purchase and from inside the game.

Purchased: This includes items from pledges, add-on store, and bundles.


 * Patterns in Pattern Packs: These patterns are consumed when used, so can only be used exactly once. They come in packs of 6 or more.
 * Eternal Patterns inside Gear: When you buy a suit of armor or a functional weapon (add on store, pledge, bundle, etc) this gear has starter level stats, is non-lootable, is indestructible, and cannot be enchanted/masterworked. If you want to use the item in crafting it can be salvaged for an “Eternal Pattern”. Please note that this forfeits all of its protections from destruction and PVP loot-ability. That eternal pattern can be used just like a regular pattern with the critical difference that it can be recovered by salvaging the item that it was applied to.. This allows anyone who purchased gear or got gear from pledges to make exactly 1 item at a time from their gear if they choose. This also preserves the rarity of those items while allowing them to be used in the crafting system.

In-Game: These are patterns gained from loot in the game. Note that these will be visually distinct from the purchased patterns.


 * Patterns inside Gear: These are gained from salvaging gear found on enemies in the game. These will be the primary source of patterns inside the game. We intend to have at least as many of these in-game patterns as there are of the purchased variety, if not more. There will be varying degrees of rarity for these patterns. For instance, katana patterns might be fairly easy to gain by salvaging katanas from bandits along the Perennial Coast, but the pattern for the Dastardly Vile Sword that Nefario the Obsidian Cabalist wields in the Town sieges might be almost impossible to get.
 * Other Patterns: We are also considering having some patterns found directly as loot or available for purchase in game for gold from merchants, but this will be an exception.

Crafting: There will be a series of recipes similar to enchantments (with wildcards) with no skill requirement, such that anyone can use these patterns at a crafting station to remake their gear. Everyone will automatically have these recipes in their recipe book as well. The recipes will be based on item type and crafting station type. Reshaping will be restricted to the item type so that you can only reshape a 2-handed sword using a 2-handed sword pattern (i.e. you can’t make a 2-handed sword look like a dagger).

Example recipes


 * Reshape 2-Handed Sword: (Blacksmithing)
 * Any 2-Handed Sword Pattern (e.g., Katana Pattern)
 * Any 2-Handed Sword
 * Chunk of Coal (2)
 * Smithing Hammer


 * Reshape Leather Chest Armor: (Tailoring)
 * Any Leather Chest Armor Pattern (e.g., Elven Elder Chest Armor Pattern)
 * ''Any Leather Chest Armor
 * ''Wax (3)
 * ''Tailoring Scissors


 * Reshape Longbow: (Carpentry)
 * Any Longbow Pattern (e.g., Ornate Elven Longbow Pattern)
 * ''Any Longbow
 * ''Wax (3)
 * ''Carpentry Hammer

To celebrate the launch of the Patterns system, we are releasing our first pattern the Ornate Flamberge for a limited time! Our very own Fletcher “Skullmuncher” Kinnear designed this beautiful sword and it will only be available through the end of the Spring Telethon. Flamberge Pattern Packs, as well as the weapon itself (with the eternal pattern inside), will be available for purchase in the Add-On Store.

Trivia

 * Patterns were added for Release 39 and were focused on Patterns for gear (armor and weapons).