Disagreement on the removal of alignment restrictions on color crystals

I know a lot of people probably disagree with me but I liked the fact that many color crystals had light or dark side requirements.

The reasons for this are that it somewhat puts SWTOR in a position where like traditional Star Wars lore, many Jedi used blue, whereas many Sith used red as I think to me at least, many people who go Republic play light sided, whereas Imperials go dark side. With that trend even being slightly followed the majority falling into the place of only being able to use what is basically their "faction colors" is also done.

At the same time however it doesn't entirely restrict players who want to use blue as a Imperial for example, the only requirement is that they have to earn/be deserving of a blue crystal by being light sided.

Furthermore, I also believe restricting in this manner adds more customization; in this instance it's not exactly about having more options but having less. By this I mean, when you look at your Jedi with a red light saber due to the sharper and darker look of the saber, you're able to easily identify yourself as a Dark Jedi, armor doesn't change for either alignment of course, but at the same time it doesn't have too due to the weapon alone, that coupled with dark side corruption and someone who wants to look evil can do it while still wearing Jedi robes. This reason in my opinion is because with how established the Star Wars universe is, it's easy to simply look at a red light saber and immediately think evil or at least bad.

This also allows players to identify other character's alignments as well, and it immediately gives you an opinion of that character whether it's simply "oh they're dark sided" or "I don't want to associate with the dark side", it's a emotion that is created and that is lessened upon the removal of the color crystal requirements.

One thing that I will say for the removal of the color crystals however is in the defense of classes that don't use light sabers. The affect of using colors to me is lessened other than the knowledge that they are in fact using a blue crystal and they're light sided, so they shoot blue blaster bolts. Primarily this is of course because a light saber is a weapon that you can see constantly depending on how long the person wielding in question wants it ignited, whereas with a blaster you don't see anything until the person in question fires.

I understand that a majority of the player-base probably does in fact support the removal of color crystals simply for more physical customization, but at the same time I at least, think that having the color restrictions is a form of customization itself, and I wanted to get my opinion out there.

Dark Jedi and Light Sith would be, lore-wise, hidden. Imagine if all you needed to do to "out" Dark Jedi or Light Sith is to put a red lightsaber in their hands (or fail to do in terms of Light Sith) . . . Palpatine would have been outed very quickly!

I have to agree with you. I like being able to easily identify who is light/dark side. Sort of the way I like to be able to tell what someone's class is by they type of weapon they are carrying or wielding.

The patch notes seemed unclear when compared to the announcement placed on the front page of the community site. Is it all color crystals that have had these requirements removed, or only some special (high-level) colors?

See, I'm the opposite, I want to have to pay attention to know what they are, like it mostly was in SWG and other games that give more freedom to appearance.

I would rather see pvpers going "Oh he's in soreu stance and has a single saber, must be a tank Juggernaught/Guardian"

Rather than

ZOMG he has a red crystal and looks like darth vadar...

I must say count dooku and any sith couldn't get away with jack if branded by the crystal color. I like it love to see a cowboy hat wearing jedi as well....

I completely agree. I think blue/green sabers should be reserved for light side players and red sabers reserved for dark side players.

But every other color should not have any restrictions.

I think this is ultimately a bad decision on their part.

...delete

I'd rather spend my attention on what they are doing and how I'm going to beat them.

I agree, keep red dark side only and blue/green light side only.

The empire uses green lasers on their ships.

The republic/rebles use red lasers on their ships.


Does that mean the entire imperial navy is lightside?

Does that mean the entire republic navy is darkside?