Which is more important - armor appearance or stats?

It might seem to be a silly question, but...

I have two female Necromancer characters, one a level 20 that has made it through all the missions up to Hell's Precipice, and a level 14 that is at the D'Alessio Seaboard mission now.

And basically my only goal in the game now is to collect cool armor for both characters, where looks are much more important to me than stats.

Last nite my level 14 character, Stunning Chimera, did the Gates Of Kryta mission with a couple other guildies. And related to this thread, I made a BONEHEAD, but funny mistake in the mission... I have two sets of halfway decent armor for this stage of the game, AL30. But around town, I like wearing the AL7 Collector Tunic I picked up in pre-searing, because it plunges so low while it lifts and separates, and it's so dang hot looking. But, I kind of rushed into the mission when these guys announced they were doing it, and I left the weak armor on. So of course in the very first battle, I'm lying dead on the ground, wondering how I went down so quick.
It didn't take long to figure out though.

And that's one of my problems in this game - I'm more interested in looking good than being protected... hehe.

Fortunately, at least for female Necros, the skimpy hot armor is pretty good protection. The best armor late in the game, Droknar's 1.5K armor, Granite Citadel 15K armor, etc., is all 60AL for necros, including the scar pattern set, which looks like leather bikini lingerie from Victoria's Secret. The scar pattern set has an added bonus of providing more energy than any other set, so you could make a case it's actually the best Necro armor.

The Necro armor is all 60AL that is, EXCEPT for the Necrotic armor, which is 70AL. So one of the FOUR armor sets I carry for my level 20 N/R, Siren Danica, is indeed the Necrotic set. Just got it infused last night in fact. So right now, it is the armor I should always wear for the best protection. But I've taken casual polls while dancing it up in different places, and pretty much everyone agrees the Necrotic armor isn't that great looking, at least compared to the other 3 sets Siren has.

I'd say, from the comments I've gotten, the 15K Granite Citadel bonelace set is the most popular, when worn with the really low-cut Crystal Desert Collector's Tunic. For my own tastes, the entire Crystal Desert Collector's set looks like Necromancer formal wear, and I like that a lot!

So what is more important to you all? Looks or stats?

Stats.

Although once I'm top level, have that armour and can use it when I need to, I'll waste the rest of my cash on 15k as intended

Stats then looks. I like having the best looks for the best stats

Stats....but looks influence my decision more than they should.

depends on how hideous the best looking armour is.

e.g. i have saintly armour on my amle monk as judges and ascetic's armour look crap on him, even though either of them two would be a better choice.

As a general rule, looks > stats in pve
and stats > looks in pvp

pve is easy enough anyways that armour doesn't really make much of a difference.

*scratches head* Why do you have 2 female PvE Necromancers?

I happen to like all of the armor types for my primary PvE characters, so I pick based on stats. I have 2 sets of armors for one character.

i only read title and don't need to read the post

its all about the stats. when i see someone wearing full knights armor in pvp or pvei flame the hell out of them till they leave my party. if i'm leader i kick them immediatly. fow armor should have taught people something but they can never get it through thier thick skulls that yes you look good but you die just the same. oh you spent 2.2 mil on a armor that effectively does the same as armor that would have cost you 10k and has no tactical advantage.

most people with fow armor can't play pvp b/c they have spent so much time farming a DUMB AI they don't know how to play a real player.

With all my characters as soon as I get to Droknar I buy the most efficient armour I can, then after trying it on - it always looks ugly as hell, replace it with a prettier but less effective set! I'm so damned vain!

Also, post some screenshots!!

Appearance, I pity people who use scar patterns/tatoos just because they give some laughable energy bonuses.

i go for appearence and stats at the same time. all my chars have 15k armor and i'll soon get fow for the necro. yea i'm a looks freak.

and btw, in pve monk tatoos are actually usefull, specially for UW or FOW. as for necro, i agree the energy bonus on scars is quite useless.

I think stats are more important. But in a game like GWs where stats are supposed to be level out, apperance is more important.

My ranger has 15k armor but a collectors ascalon bow. The armor isnt really any prettier, but its slightly more unique. And the bow is butt ugly but its got the best stats compared to anything I can find or buy.

With warriors the best choice is always gladiator + knight / ascalon helm for damage reduction.

With casters that stay in the back and don't get hit very often it's all moot point, get the prettiest max armor you can. +Energy armor for casters is minimal compared to gladiators on a warrior.

I have a female necro too, and collectors armor is way better than any 15k armor (i'll buy her fissure...necro lady fow armor is absolutely the best imo).

In pve i use always collector (dyed black+red, awesome), because is really nice, but looks like an armor and not like lingerie, and bonuses are not so important.

On my ranger girl I usually use 15k drakenscale (15k druid in uw trapper teams) even in areas where extra defense vs fire is uselss, because it looks cool.

I think stats are not so important in pve (obviously im not gonna use an AL 7 armor in hells precipe ), so I use what looks better.

In pvp stats are more important, so I dont really care about the look (but i will never use scars on my necro).

Why would you choose armor based on appearance? That's like choosing a car based on how cool the bumper looks...

I buy 4 sets of droknars armor for all my PvE characters...each set has it's uses. I don't dye them...I don't feel the need to purchase 15K or FoW armor...this isn't Barbie Fashion Show.

Most definitely. Stats > Looks. If you have the money and ability to buy something that has the same stats and a cooler appearance, then go for it.

Stats first.

If fissure armour had 5 AL more, i would consider purchasing it.

Stats first (up to a point). But sometimes with pain in my heart.

i completly agree... unless some one in lvl 10 ascalon arena offers to buy you 15k platemail-heh

I just get several sets of armor ... so I can swap out depending on my mood or needs. I just have the best of all worlds that way.

You don't think people buy cars based on their appearance? You can't be serious!