Anything but Gladiator's Armor?

Quick question:

with the exception of one piece of knights (maybe) for damage absorb, why would any right minded warrior primary use anything but gladiator armor?

here are the stats for droknor's armor:

platemail: AL 85 +10 vs. physical
generic: AL 80 +20 vs. physical
knight's: AL 80 +10 vs. physical -2 damage (global)
gladiator's: AL 80 +20 vs. physical +3/2/1/1 energy (per piece, +1 more for helm)

I desperately wanted to change my characters appearance, because I've grown tired of the gladiator look I've had since yak's bend... I tried desperately to think myself into taking +5 armor (-8% damage, roughly?) vs. non-physical in exchange for less energy and -5 armor (+8% damage, roughly?) vs. physical (particularly in the torso, where most hexes/etc hit)... but couldn't.

so anyone more knowledgable than I, please help me figure out why anyone:
a.) uses anything other than gladiators armor apart from aesthetic reasons
and
b.) why the hell 15k glad armor still looks like shit.

thanks!

Stoneskin gauntlets are a neccessity for any hammer user, and are likely a good investment for any warrior, period. Knight's boots are definitely worth giving up the 1 energy for.

As for the other two pieces, you pretty much answered them with:


People value asthetics over effectiveness. Look at the demand for weapons with unique graphics in Lion's Arch - people would rather use a plain Storm Bow than be caught dead with one of those outstanding collector bows.


Truly? Asthetics is the only reason. I'm sure a lot of Warriors have convinced themselves otherwise, however.


Because they have not yet updated the graphic. Kinda annoying as it's the one 15k set in highest demand that needs a new graphic.

Peace,
-CxE