I think we all know by now that the DLC classes don’t seem to be getting additional items in the Commodore’s Vestures premium store.
The most popular running theory is that Games Workshop is incredibly strict with their IP, and have not approved any additonal cosmetics for Arbites, Hive Scum and Skitarii. There could be some truth to that, I think.
However, I have a different theory. My own personal theory is that Tencent/Fatshark do not believe it worthwhile/do not have the dev resources to allocate towards making cosmetics for these classes. As someone who has worked briefly on a game’s development team, I suspect it could be this angle, to some degree.
After all, we’re talking spending the dev time/resources to make premium optional cosmetics for a premium optional DLC class in an already premium game. That’s three layers deep of expected purchase to sell cosmetics for the DLC classes, and it could very well be that they consider the number of players who’d buy in to cosmetics for a buy-in class wouldn’t justify spending the time to make them. It could be a combination of reasons as well, but that’s what I think is a likely reason.
If that is true, then I think a potential solution is relatively simple: Make several of the cosmetics that already exist for Veteran/Zealot/Psyker also available to be equipped by Arbitrator/Hive Scum. (I am leaving Ogryn and Skitarii out of this equation because their models are structured differently and can’t share cosmetics, whereas Veteran/Zealot/Psyker/Arbites/Hive Scum all use the same ‘standard’ body type and can share items)
This has actually already been done, in fact, to a small degree. The most prominent example of this is Accessories that go on the back, such as this Vox Caster item:
As you can see, it says it can be equipped by the five ‘standard skeleton’ classes, and this is true of basically all Accessory items that can be worn by any of them.
Another example would be the basic face-augmetic items, like this one:
Notably, there was a minor controversy on release of Arbites, in which this item was equippable right away, then shortly thereafter removed from being able to be used by Arbites. After outcry, the ability to equip it was restored, and it then went on to be used by Hive Scum too. This proves that having items be multi-class is not out of the question, so that’s why I think it’s a potential solution to players’ desires to be able to customize Arbites and Hive Scum with more options.
Before I launch into a big long list of exactly what I think should be multi-class (and I must apologize up front, but it will be QUITE a big long list, I want to be exhaustive), I first want to provide what I think are some of the most egregious and hilarious examples of items that exist in game that, in my opinion, should be able to be equipped by Hive Scum.
First off, the infamously named ‘Hive Scum Pants’:
As you can see, they are NOT a Hive Scum item, they are only able to be used by Veteran. I believe their existence in-game predates Hive Scum being in the game, but still, if anything should be able to be used by Hive Scum, it should be the Hive Scum Pants.
Another possibly more extreme example is this, the Hive Scum Hood:
Not only is this also not able to be used by the Hive Scum class, it actually IS a multi-class item! … For Psyker and Zealot. Not Hive Scum. Again, I think this predates the Hive Scum’s inclusion in the game, but it just goes to show, at the very least it could be confusing for players who buy a cosmetic item called ‘Hive Scum Hood’, to then find that the Hive Scum operative can’t use it.
Now, to begin with, I want to talk about the Hive Scum first. I think it’s the class that thematically could have the most shared with it from the available selection in-game. Many of the premium cosmetics in-game, especially from the Veteran, are ganger-themed already.
Although, I also tried to consider the class’s ‘identity’, so to speak, so I avoided Veteran items/sets that seem too clean-cut ‘militaristic’, Zealot items that are overly ‘religious’, and almost all Psyker items are unfitting (which I will explain why later).
What I was aiming for, are items/sets that as well as being ganger-themed, seem ‘scruffier’, looted, salvaged, stolen, street-level, or would otherwise contribute towards a more ‘mercenary’ look for the Hive Scum, as in the Necromunda setting upon which they are based, the term ‘Hive Scum’ more accurately applies to hired mercenaries moreso than gangers, though from the perspective of the Inquisition making one an acolyte, there isn’t much difference.
So, first things first, I will start with Veteran items, beginning with full sets, then showing individual items (basically Head items, as pretty much all Upper Body/Lower Body items are part of a set). I will also show with images, what the set/item looks like on a typical Hive Scum character with class-exclusive hair, face, and face paint, and both with and without the set’s Head item, so it can be seen how the items and set would suit a Hive Scum character. (Thanks to the ‘NPCLook’ mod by fviuff, we can see exactly how they look on another character)
Also, when I show an item, I am assuming that all cosmetic recolours of that item should also be multi-class, so for example if I show a red bandanna, the other bandanna colours should also be multi-class as well.
So, as follows, Veteran sets:
Carlen DeSampas (Raggedy appearance, ‘Raider’ Sparkcutter mask)
Commando Kravlenko (Leather jacket, pants are named “Scuttle Gang Hive Fatigues”)
Pedergast Salbarin (Scuttle Gang Hive Fatigues again, UpperBody has references that it was stolen)
Cor Malkabius (recolours of previous sparkcutter mask and looted upper armour)
Dunan Sprek (ganger-style hood, leather jacket, lower body is the infamously named ‘Hive Scum Pants’)
Emeritus “Rath” Rathbone (raggedy appearance, mercenary-looking attire)
Jerda Yves (recolours of previous entries, head item is similar to default Hive Scum cosmetics)
Kayla Cronet (appears to be Tread Lightlies gang-themed outfit)
Saldana Alarian (leather jacket, head item’s description references criminal activity)
Tesi Gran, Deep Hive Scavvie (name and items suggest it is meant to be literally Hive-Scum themed)
Trooper Ston “Blind Man” Makkar (bandana, recolours of previous items)
Bartok Sheen (long coat, Savlar Chem-Dogs have associated with Chem use)
(Interestingly, the Hive Scum mohawk hair un-draws itself correctly alongside this mask, only sticking out at the back)
Here are demonstrations of what the head items from these sets (in mostly red colours) look like alongside standard Hive Scum Upper and Lower body items, so you can see how they fit visually:
Alongside these, I think the ‘Scavenged Kantrael Helmet’ series would also be fitting for Hive Scum, they are mostly already multi-class shared with Zealot, and have a more ‘rugged’ look to them:
And additionally, the pirate-themed Rogue Trader Bicorn hats for Veteran would also be a fitting addition (in my opinion) for the Hive Scum:
Now for Zealot, same deal, first the sets, then individual items:
Amelia Barquette (leather jacket, gas mask, raggedy appearance)
Operative Tartaran (other than the hood, has exactly the same items as previous set)
Beatrix Guilliaume (leather jacket, items name references being ‘scavenged’)
Benedicta Portorice (raggedy appearance, mercenary-adjacent look)
Brother Krassus (raggedy appearance, items’ internal filename references Orlock Necromunda faction)
Drill Abbess Suzinna Mdura (recolours of a previous set)
Pater Carlin (raggedy appearance, items internal filenames reference Necromunda)
Saria Ambergrine (raggedy appearance, UpperBody item description suggests it was stolen)
Sister Adeline (Upper Body is same as previous, pants appear Tread Lightlies-themed)
Suella Mastrochic (leather jacket, mercernary appearance)
“Whispers” Filnchwrath (recolour of previous Orlock-themed set)
Zephram Arientas (leather jacket, head item is a previous recolour)
Orranus Cartensus (Savlar Zealot set, however the gas mask appears to be the only head item I’ve seen that does not correctly un-draw the mohawk, showing more at the front than it should)
Watch-Chaplain “Padre” Cartesian (possibly the most controversial suggestion, but in-game lore from Zola suggests the Enforcers on Tertium were corrupt, then ousted by the Water Cartel, so it is possible that some would still be around but be considered ‘criminal’, or that the armour sets were stolen by cartel members, additionally the user could be a double-agent or inside ‘informant’. I chose the Zealot set because Hive Scum tend to be more religiously inclined to venerate Saint Messelina via in-game lore and dialogue. This would encompass all four colour sets, I am showing the default and the Red variant as examples:)
Once again, the Zealot head items alongside standard Hive Scum body attire:
Alongside the Veteran’s pirate-themed Bicorn, here is the Zealot’s Tricorn on the Hive Scum:
For Psyker, there is a major issue, which I mentioned previously.
That being, that by the very cosmetic design and nature of Psyker, they always have a ‘psychic hood’ around their neck, and almost all of their Head items are designed to sit atop it. Without the collar, their Head items would float above the shoulders, which obviously would be inappropriate.
Additionally, most Psyker body items are themed specifically for Psyker, containing a lot of tubing and plating meant to help Quell the Warp energies they channel.
As such, there is only one single set I consider suitable for Psyker, and a very small handful of Upper and Lower Body items from sets. Once I have shown them all, I will explain exactly why.
Jupp Kytres
“Lady” Dorian Harvex (without Head item)
Detio Alarian (without Head item)
“Mystic” Malachi (without Head item)
The reason for these four sets is that not only are they specifically modeled and themed after Necromunda Hive Scum actual miniatures from the tabletop, their in-game filenames specifically reference Hive Scum. For example, the coat from Jupp Kytres’s filename is PSYKER_HIVE_SCUM_UPPERBODY_A_VAR_03, which is pretty clear a reference as anything.
Beyond those, I would also want to see Hive Scum get use of the Prisoner-themed outfits, as it seems a waste that the Criminal class can’t have convict-themed items. The Zealots’ items contain religious scrolls, and the Psyker’s contain the aforementioned Psychic Collar, so here are a few examples of the Hive Scum using Veteran prisoner cosmetics, as well as the default garb, and the Psyker’s basic prisoner mask:
Apologies for the extensive list, but I think there’s a LOT in-game that could be made multi-class for Hive Scum. Moving on, however…
Arbitrator. There is only really one cosmetic set that I think would be appropriate to be multi-class for the Arbites, and that is the Enforcer set for Veteran, Officer Breen Millendon (seen in default and red):
I figure that if an Imperial Guard Veteran, an Ogryn etc can be able to be dressed as an Enforcer, an Arbites should be too, as they’re arguably more adjacent to what an ‘Enforcer’ is than any of those. One of the Psyker’s personality types references being an ex-Enforcer, but that’s about it.
Beyond that, though, no real other complete cosmetic sets are, in my opinion, suitable for Arbites. Arbites has a pretty noteable visual ‘theme’, and many in-game dialogue lines reference this, especially Ogryns calling them ‘Plate-Face’, so I think that visual identity shouldn’t be detracted from as much.
However, I think given that the Arbites in-game are being requisitioned by the Inquisition, and possibly some outstanding members being formally adopted as Acolytes, it should be within the bounds of imagination/lore to suggest they might customize their Upper Body somewhat to reflect their new Inquisitorial Acolyte status, while still keeping their Head and Leg Armour to show their previous skillset and identity.
So, below are my suggestions for possible suitable Upper Body multi-class items for Arbitrator, having focused on items that appear to be heavily armoured, have a long coat, or ideally both:
Acolyte’s Greatcoat
“Crusader Garb” (and associated recolours) :
Gregor’s Duster:
Hexorcist’s Garb:
Savlar Chem-Dogs Upper Body from Veteran and Zealot:
Shroudwrap Warplate (and associated recolours) :
Trophy-Hunter’s Armoured Doublet:
Veteran and Zealot’s Vostroyan Upper Body (and associated recolours, shown here in red and black)
Way-Keeper’s Processional Armour:
It may not be an overall enormous selection, but it would provide for more player customization options, and with everything, if it was all made multi-class, then the option would exist to have recolours be made, which would add even more options for both Arbites and Hive Scum.
Overall, this is what I think would be the ‘easiest’ solution to player’s wishes for more customization options for Arbitrator and Hive Scum. I know it still might be a bit of effort to track down and sort everything out internally (I know it took me a while just to sort it all out on my end), so if Fatshark is interested, I’ve compiled both the Item Names and the internal filenames of everything I’ve suggested here (recolours included) into a text file, so most of that process is already taken care of:
DarktideCosmeticsForMultiClassFileNames.txt (24.7 KB)
Sorry if this has all been a bit of a large read, but it’s something I’m interested in making possible, and I think a lot of other players also want more customization options too.