Transmog In MMOs Is A Good Idea In Theory, But Harmful In Practice

Transmog, short for transmogrification, originated in World of Warcraft. It is a feature that allows players to change the appearance of their gear while retaining the original stats. Transmog was a fun and novel idea that let players express themselves visually while still keeping the gear they had worked for. Over time, however, the concept has evolved. In the broader MMO space, it now generally refers to any system where players can place cosmetic appearances, skins, or overlays onto their equipment, allowing them to look the way they want without losing any power.

At first glance, transmog seems like an obvious win for players. Who would not want their character to look exactly the way they envision at all times? In an era when customization and self-expression are highly valued in gaming, it appears to fit perfectly into what modern MMO audiences desire. However, despite surface appeal, I believe transmog is ultimately harmful to the MMO experience. In practice, it erases one of the most exciting and motivating aspects of these games: visual progression.

In traditional MMOs without transmog, your gear tells a story. Equipment is more than a collection of numbers; it is a visual record of your journey. When you see another player wielding a glowing sword, you can reasonably assume they earned it through a challenging raid or a difficult questline. That sight might even inspire you to take on the same challenge. On the other hand, when you spot someone wearing basic bronze armor or ragged cloth robes, it is immediately clear they are just starting out. This visible spectrum of progression was an organic part of the game’s world-building and social dynamics.

Transmog disrupts this natural hierarchy. In many free-to-play MMOs — like Guild Wars 2, MapleStory, and Star Wars: The Old Republic — a player can enter the cash shop mere minutes after creating their character and completely change their appearance. They can dress themselves in cool and cute gear, even though their actual stats are trash and they look ugly underneath. The result is that visual cues about a player’s status, skill, and dedication become meaningless.

Do not get me wrong, I do understand the counterarguments. Leveling gear often looks mismatched or outright ridiculous. Nobody enjoys progressing through hours of content while wearing armor that makes them look like a clown. I sure do not. Transmog offers a way to smooth over that awkward stage, letting players feel stylish from start to finish. Yet, I think the downsides outweigh the benefits.

Consider Old School RuneScape, which has absolutely no transmog system. Players look exactly as their current gear dictates. There is no disguising your progression. When you see someone wielding a legendary weapon, you know without a doubt that they earned it. This transparency fosters an environment where accomplishments are visible, respected, and meaningful.

Before transmog became the norm, spotting a player with top-tier equipment felt like a rare, exciting event — like seeing a celebrity out in the real world. That player’s achievements were evident without them saying a word. Now, a player could be carrying the most prestigious weapon in the game, but you might never realize it because they have replaced its appearance with something ordinary or outrageous.

Some MMOs have attempted to find a middle ground. A few require players to actually acquire a piece of gear before they can use it as a cosmetic, ensuring that at least some work is done to unlock a style. Others impose restrictions in certain contexts, such as disabling transmog in PvP arenas so that players can still gauge their opponents’ gear at a glance. These compromises do help preserve some of the old visual language of MMOs, but they still fall short of fully restoring the sense of progression that once defined the genre. Once the visual hierarchy is lost, it is extremely difficult to bring back.

I genuinely believe that the best MMOs should remove transmog entirely. There are many alternative ways to monetize without compromising the integrity of the game. That being said, I understand that monetizing cosmetics is the better choice over “pay-to-win” stuff. It is certainly a tricky subject.

Still, MMOs thrive when their worlds feel alive, interconnected, and full of shared milestones. That shared sense of adventure and achievement is one of the genre’s greatest strengths. When gear no longer reflects a player’s journey, the world feels flatter, less immersive, and less rewarding to explore.

Transmog, on paper, offers universal style and self-expression. In reality, it strips away the core spirit of MMOs. That unspoken recognition of another player’s skill. It is a small but vital part of the genre’s magic.