This edition of the Scrying Pool wonders if the transmutation system is all it could be.

So how would players obtain these shards? Through drops or chests throughout the game, but the surefire way would be through dungeon tokens. Additionally these shards would be tradable and therefore available from other players through the Trading Post. Players would then have a way to exchange their dungeon tokens for something that could be sold to other players.

This does a few things. First it gives a way for players to obtain these shards themselves by running dungeons for the tokens, possibly even get a few as drops and from the dungeon chests. It also gives something for dungeon runners to spend their mass of dungeon tokens on. Hopefully these two methods, along with drops and chests from large events and jumping puzzles, would push down the price for non-dungeon runners.

With a low price on shards, changing skins would no longer be a big concern to players. This in turn would benefit the system as a whole, including supporting the sale of Transmutation Gems which benefits both the game and ArenaNet.

When buying the skins from the Transmutation Merchant, the player would receive an item similar to special event skins that function similar to a transmutation stone. This would require a new item being created for every single piece of gear.

This would also benefit the account vs. soulbound dilemma on high value skins such as Legendaries. With this system a Legendary could be consumed and unlocked across the account then the skin bought for whichever character wanted the skin.

Of course not all skins are created equal. The Shard currency setup would allow for high value skins to cost more than normal skins. While it can be looked at with “Why should I pay more for the Legendary Skin I already unlocked?” At the same time it could be seen as “Why should I have to pay the same for the low level junk skin as the awesome Legendary skins?” This system can also help encourage more diversity. If Legendaries are more expensive than the less fancy skins, maybe people will mix it up with a cheaper skin.

This system is mainly to create options. Maybe you think the Unspoken Curse is a nice looking weapon, but not something you would use all the time and, therefore, not worth the effort. With this unlocking system, hopefully it would become worth the effort to unlock so it was always there to wield, not for forever but just whenever.

 Matt “Mattsta” Adams can be found on the Blackgate server, probably leveling one of his many alts.

 I collected one of each of the Super weapons for my PvP Locker from the Super Adventure Box. I like that I know forever have those skins available for PvP. I don't know about getting anything for PvE though, as I would have to keep it stored somewhere and make sure I don't overwrite the skin with a transmutation. If only there was an unlock system like in this Scrying Pool.

 Didn't mention this in the article, but any consumable skin like the Super weapons or the Fused weapons would have a third option to unlock immediately. So using one would give the options: Use Normally, Convert to PvP, Unlock for Transmutation and Cancel.

 Have a question for me you would like to see answered here? Comment below or tweet it to @MattstaNinja.