exactly nothing too flashy (apart from maybe high ranking mage's in the mage's guild) but shows some status maybe if the player chooses

Several screenshots have shown very interesting and attractive diatems/circlets. Rings and amulets are also the sorts of things mages traditionally quest for.

Some elaborate robes would be appropriate if they are intended for a mage of exalted station or are ancient and powerful (ceremonial robes of some ancient legendary wizard). Common mages should look common, powerful mages should look only slightly less common.

Ceremonial robes can always look more elaborate, but are still rare since very few are needed.

I think newer (and better) robes would be nice, especially if they kind of 'flap around' a bit - I always hated in games when you see something (like a cape) and it's pasted right along your body, never moving on it's own (For that matter, I think we actually do need capes). But yeah, I think some nice, flowing mystical robes would be a plus. Just no neck-spikeyz like the last pic had.

I don't know about you guys, but I don't even get why mages need to wear robes in the first place. How does armor even affect their ability at casting magic? Does it put such a bad mental strain on them that they become less efficient? Why don't they just take off their helmets then? I don't know, the whole "mages wear robes" thing just doesn't make sense to me. Besides, if I have to wear cloth I think I'd rather wear plainclothes personally, unless the robe actually looks, well, fashionable. Most of my armorless mages in Oblivion just wore regal-looking clothing.

I fixed the last two. Stupid computer...

http://wiki.chronicles-of-blood.com/images/Armor-Netherwrath_robes.jpg

I'm preferential to these to be honest, but in black.

http://lotrostylist.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/lotro-outfit-7.jpg?w=552&h=502

That one seems very fitting, especially with the fur cape it has.

In Oblivion, armor decreased spell effectiveness: http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Magic_Overview#Using_Armor

Presumably mages absorb magicka through their skin. Cloth doesn't inhibit this significantly, but denser materials do. At least that's how I think of it.

but the idea of mages existing at all does make sense to you? in all wizard mythology robes are warn as a sign of status.

Skullcaps would be cool. Very magey, but not too over the top:

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/091020/Excalibur-wizard-Merlin_l.jpg

Well, Imperial Battlemages in Oblivion wore heavy armor + a head cowl or whatever you call it, guess you're right about "Mages don't need robes, they can wear armor as well". But mages do NEED to look different, to have a look of their own. Some prefer to wear basic robes that could be bought for 10 gold a pair, some others want to look more 'apparent' and stand out of the crowd with badass armor saying "I am a powerful mage" all over it. It's a matter of preference really. Personally I would like for Skyrim to have an option for both. Options are never ever a bad thing.

I really like this one. I'm not a big fan of bulky bodies. But if it was made a bit thinner it would be perfect for my mage.



I really like this one. If it had fur along the shoulders, and maybe lost the stars snow flakes on the cape. It would be perfect imo.

These would be welcome:

http://images.wikia.com/castleage/images/9/9e/Archmage_Robes.jpg

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1212231331741&id=dbc06e92246c40354d433475c1f69cf9&url=http%3a%2f%2fi27.photobucket.com%2falbums%2fc158%2fxhaloeyex%2fraven%2f24-1.jpg

If we get to join the Blades and get a katana, I might just go the entire game in the second robes here.

I've always been a fan of over the shoulder capes, so I wouldn't object to that. However, no game that I know of has done it quite right (Besides Batman Arkham Asylum?).

Of the one's I posted, that may be the least likely. It looks appropriate for the setting, but I think they said capes were out (I might be wrong though).

I liked the one set of robes we saw so far. It fits my wandering mage types perfectly along with assassins and hunters. I am really curious to see what else they have in the game.

Agreed.
The Dark Souls robe looks awesome imo.

Now this I like. You can tell the guy is important without it being overly gaudy, there aren't colors that can potentially blind me, and its practical. If this outfit was in Skyrim I would only wear this. Forget everything else.

The one we've seen in Skyrim looks greatgreatgreat.

I like the newer ones but variety is always nice. To be honest I really liked some of the ones in Oblivion even if they were just color swaps. The red robes with the gold trim were awesome.

I'm not really talking about the effects so much as I am talking about the reasoning behind the effects. What actually causes mages to need to wear robes? If the only point is looking different, isn't that kind of, well, stupid? Why sacrifice protection for the sake of "looking like a mage"?


I'm admittedly not a fan of doing everything regarding fantasy and mythology to the book. Some notions, like every piece of fantasy having humans, elves, dwarves, dragons, etc. need to die, in my opinion of course.


I guess in some ways that's what I'm trying to get at. Why to they NEED to look different? Heck, everyone and their mother can use magic in TES. Just because they're a more powerful user of magic shouldn't necessarily mean "I should wear robes!". I will agree on the matter of preference and that options are never a bad thing, I just want to know why people automatically associate mages with staves and robes, or why they continue to feel the need that mages should be associated with staves and robes.

It's not really a question for TES in specific, but more for fantasy in general. Thank you for the responses!

It's simple, but you can tell the guy is a Boss. Like he can start Pwnage at any time.

I like the first one

Though i also kind of like the Skyrim robe, it looks old and tattered and..mage-like. LOL.
Although i think its quite subjective, i didnt like mods for many mage's robe in oblivion because most of them were too flashy and modern. a few spikes (or pauldrons, you call them? i dont know whats a pauldron, im going to assume) and some gems studded on the robe would be nice :celebration:

3, 4, and 5 look cool the last one would make for good deadric mage robes.

Ok, i like this as well, except the second one, seems rather odd. Too badass for a mage probably :celebration: although would this thread change the game in any way, or is it just for a generation of ideas for mods?

I think they are a huge improvement over Oblivions robes. In Morrowind we could put on pauldrons and the robes looked better from start.