I suppose I understand why ANet chose to go the cosmetic only route, but I do agree with you.  After all, GW2 is a gear/stat based progression themepark MMO, and offering no upgrade on an item that takes that much hard work to get makes the reward seem a little lackluster.

On the other hand, perhaps ANet knew exactly what they were doing, and figured only the truely dedicated and hardcore would pursue legendaries, and would do so not for the upgrade, but for the challenge and prestige.  

The moment you start to give stats as an incentive than it becomes another gear treadmill.  I personally believe we have more than enough of those around now-a-days.

If looking better isn't enough of an incentive for you, then why bother grinding it out? No one is forcing you to obtain legendary gear.

One big reason why NO is my response.   Because this game is NOT built on this mechanic like all other MMO's are.

Guild Wars 2 is not Gear power focused progression at all.  Since the game does not have this mechanic in its inherent design it makes no sense to push this within its design.   Other games focus on more powerful gear as progression but even then there is a reason to have more powerful gear so you can gain access to more powerful dungeons.

Legendarys in Guild Wars 2 are built as a trophy and to be displayed as hard work.  

Trying to make this game something that we like from other games is what ruins the design of a game.  Guild Wars 2 has no need for powerful gear progression therefor legendary weapons have absolutely no need for more powerful stats compared to other exotic weapons.   Now I'd be absolutely pissed if the Legendarys didn't blow away other exotic weapons in visualization.

Here's an example,  I earned my first legendary in RIFT which added slight, very slight power progression to my set but I sure as hell showed it off in my main city. 

The one thing that does get me though is how much of a grind it is to actually get all the items needed to build one of these... Seems a little to much in a game that is not supposed to have a grind because grinds are not "Fun" :P

I'm taking about just a 5 point stat difference.... just something besides cosmetic.

They should reward you at least a little bit for all the time it takes to get full gear. Hell one cool thing would be 100% swiftness all the time while wearing a full set. (Only woks in PvE)

Just something like that would make it worth it.

Originally posted by PaRoXiTiC

I'm taking about just a 5 point stat difference.... just something besides cosmetic.

They should reward you at least a little bit for all the time it takes to get full gear. Hell one cool thing would be 100% swiftness all the time while wearing a full set. (Only woks in PvE)

Just something like that would make it worth it.

If you don't think it is "worth it" don't do it...

CHOICE - what an amazing concept

Originally posted by rungard
why not allow you to modify the stats on legendary gear....but keep the total the same.

You can. The stats are dependant on the exotic weapon you used to create it. Furthermore, you can always transmute it if you somehow screw up, to change the stats but keep the skin.

- Simple answer to the OP is NO. N-O. I dont' understand why some people insist on this game being like every other game out there, when the entire appeal of GW2 is that it offers a different kind of MMORPG. While I do agree that some items are too expensive, I think legendaries are fine how they are. They aren't meant to be something everyone and their dog has equipped. They're supposed to be weapons that you see someone have and think 'woah.. that looks awesome!'. And so far they fulfill that just fine. This game was never about gear power, and all about build / stats. The last thing people in this game want is to have some kid grind out legendary matts and be able to roflstomp others who have a life.

I agree with Anet on this one. But remember, there are many types of players out here in the wild. One of the first items on the ToDo list for a new project is to identify the target audience and develop a list of items that appeal to that group. Software companies don't have a billion dollars to make a game that pleases everyone, so this is a necessary and "Oh so important" step.

So my question to you, PaRoXiTiC, is can you live with this one feature in its present form? Are you having fun otherwise? (OK that's 2 questions).

I'm glad it offers no stat benefit.

Something GW2 is excellent about is not making you feel "compelled" to do something you don't want to do in order to statistically improve your character.

Originally posted by Sigilaea

I agree with Anet on this one. But remember, there are many types of players out here in the wild. One of the first items on the ToDo list for a new project is to identify the target audience and develop a list of items that appeal to that group. Software companies don't have a billion dollars to make a game that pleases everyone, so this is a necessary and "Oh so important" step.

 

So my question to you, PaRoXiTiC, is can you live with this one feature in its present form? Are you having fun otherwise? (OK that's 2 questions).

Oh I absolutley love the game. I'm having a blast and really do think this is the best MMO to come out in a long time. Like I said before I'm not a ganker or anything. Just kinda wonder "Whats the point" of Legendary Gear you know? There is absolutely no incentive.

I saw the skins on google and don't even think they look cool. I think the Whispering Karma set looks cooler. 

IDK.... I guess I'm just a gear grinder at heart and I want to do the grind for the Legendary Gear, however, I just have no incentive cause I don't like the look and there is no other reason to do it.

Originally posted by xpiher
One of the main reasons I'm playing this game is because it doesn't have a gear grind treadmil

Sorry, why do people say this?

I mean i am playing and like the game.. but each lvl increase (or few lvl's) you DO get better gear,

And they have better stats:P

Sounds like just about every other game that uses stats on gear to me.

Originally posted by DarLorkar

Originally posted by xpiher
One of the main reasons I'm playing this game is because it doesn't have a gear grind treadmil

Sorry, why do people say this?

 

I mean i am playing and like the game.. but each lvl increase (or few lvl's) you DO get better gear,

 

And they have better stats:P

 

Sounds like just about every other game that uses stats on gear to me.

 

 

I don't find it all that hard to understand because Gear Grind Treadmill most of the time indicates activity needed at max level to progress in harder content.

Of course the game has progression in gear while leveling, so logically and reasonably that isn't the point... I don't understand how this seems to be so difficult to apprehend.

Guild Wars 2 does not have a traditional Gear Grind at max level. I honestly do not understand why this needs to be pointed out...

I too love that ANET did not impliment a Gear Grind Treadmill...  

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Originally posted by DarLorkar

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Originally posted by xpiher One of the main reasons I'm playing this game is because it doesn't have a gear grind treadmil

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Sorry, why do people say this?   I mean i am playing and like the game.. but each lvl increase (or few lvl's) you DO get better gear,   And they have better stats:P   Sounds like just about every other game that uses stats on gear to me.   

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What I hate in most themepark games is the NEED to grind a dungeon OVER AND OVER again in order to go to a new dungeon/raid TO DO IT ALL AGAIN. Did you ever watch Zero Punctuation's re-review of WoW. He has a great little segment on raiding it and goes something like

Him "Why do you raid"

Fan "To get gear"

Him "Why do you need the gear"

Fan "To Raid"

Its retarded! Forces you to invest time into the game to get all the content so you can feel accomplished, and gives you the false epic feeling of "I have the numbers so my numbers are bigger than your numbers and lets me PWN you"

Honestly, if you even put a 1 stat difference in the legendary gear, people will claim this game is a P2W or a time > skill game.

Just no.