The skill clothes need to be removed or there needs to be a hard cap placed on skills.. people running around with so much stacked eval is ridiculous


just straight catering to mages .. bring some balance
There is no way to just remove the skill clothing or the sockets, players have them on all their gear. We just have to work with it.  There is no real way to set a cap on this core atm, we have tried but its a long, complicated issue.  The best solution has been to scale the skill requirements to match gear in game to create a balance again.  It will be based on max gear you can wear and top skill possible to find the top end players can achieve. It will be a fun journey to get to the top and be an elite crafter with a legendary reputation and a makers mark that commands respect!

Take a look at the crafting skill changes then.. 270 Blacksmith required for the Platinum runic now. So requires the ASH and a full set of +10 Blacksmith clothing.

Edit:
Please stop being so negative, + items and gear will be available as bod rewards and everything can be obtained in game with work.  Read the changes carefully and follow the logic behind it.  Kane has a very nice plan to create a very good craft system, give him some time and I think you will agree with the new layout.  It will be balanced and crafting will be a very valuable trade again

imo the whole idea of having skills that high for anything is just plain stupid.. revolve the whole server around randomized clothing with random skill on it lol....
Please try to be open minded.  Please be detailed and specific with your complaints rather than just say it is "stupid"  This really does not let Kane know if there is an issue with the system that may need addressing.  If you have constructive criticism then please explain why you dont like something and then a solution for the issue.

Well every other skill is easy to get that high apart form crafting, so hopefully easier options to get the skill up will come with the new crafting

  Cryptic, what stats are on the non-mage tunic?

  Also, Kane seems to be working towards balance. I feel that his first steps are just that. Give it time, before you complain. Ask others how they are dealing with the changes. I have learned a lot from others. There is always a second road less traveled. Perhaps this is why the changes seem so harsh or stupid. The simple road = Pay for the items, or clothing deeds. The hard road = Sockets, or finding new gear options that help defeat the Mages. {Suggestion} Trying using weapons with poison on them. Purge has a 2 second delay on it, and cure poison is easy to interrupt, if the Mage is not prepared.

I personally understand the reasoning for not liking a change like this since it does indeed make it more difficult on the player - BUT, there are many benefits as well. Blacksmithing does NOT increase the intensity of properties on an item, that is determined by the runic hammer. Therefore, stacking blacksmithy is now --


-Crafting is much more valuable, especially endgame.
-Crafting takes effort to do rather than just getting a 120 and crafting anything (Something to work towards as a crafter)
-Provides skill clothing like Blacksmithy to now have more of a purpose rather than just raising your exceptional chance to 100%.

----The current nerf may have been a bit too drastic but there are benefits from the idea and its moving in a positive direction for the server.

Additionally, I know you mentioned Mages are the only way to PvP. Loial has proven that statement not entirely correct, and consistently performs as one of the top PvPers primarily using heals and a weapon. It is a rare day if he casts any harmful spell. Magery casting time has been reduced substantially with this new revert, making mages less strong. With that said, I do believe dexxers could receive maybe some minor buffs such as: (EDIT - Triple slash is actually stronger than before) and reducing spike shield damage, and maybe providing a route to increasing PURE Dexxer hit chance (above cap) or something of the sort. However, currently some of the best PvPers on the server such as Loial and Cal El are primarily Dexxers.


Not to say you havent tested the current new system Cryptic, but I have been PvPing frequently every day since the shard revert and I have not seen you out once. Come and test it out a bit with the Top Dexxers and Mages before making assumptions on the new system, might be more different than you remember.


All In all, changes seem to be moving in a positive direction for the servers long term growth.

i understand those changes im more upset with it pvp wise.. it allows mages you cause heavy damage from range while dexxers still deal the normal damage from a sword reguardless and mages can easily heal with stacked eval/ magery. it makes magery overpowered. it should recieve a cap to even it out a bit


 maybe even raise the dex cap so we can heal a little faster to help out other classes

Give it some time, Kane has his hands full with all the new plans, he can only script so fast!  We have spent several weeks now discussing each new system with balance and function in mind and when it is all done you should all be happy with the new direction

***** i agree i will test it more

I would have to say that the system is pretty good right now. I think as a server that has no skill cap, just keep in mind you should always try to play more versatile than your opponents. I know I've seen plenty of "dexers" who use mini heals out the wahoo. I'm not saying the system is perfect, but I've been involved in more than a few skirmishes over the past week and they were actually enjoyable. Both sides had fun and many deaths were to be had. Now once again, this is from an open world pvp aspect. I am in no way a dueler, so I cannot speak for the dueling side of the house, but the open world side seems to be pretty even.