Transmogrification (video games)
Transmogrification, frequently referred to as Transmog or sometimes as Visual Customisation, is a video game feature which allows a player to change the appearance of their equipped armour or weapons to match another item, while keeping the original item's stats.[1][not in citation given][2]
When applied to weapons, Transmogrification is typically limited to weapons within the same class. A sword, for example, may take on the appearance of any other sword, but not the appearance of a bow.
Transmogrification Systems
The specific implementation of Transmogrification in a video game varies greatly with developer intent; ranging from Free, to Limited, to Monetised Transmogrification. It also varies in how it applies to the character or item mechanically:
- Slot-based: Transmogrification which applies to an overall slot on the character, such as their helmet slot. With this system, equipping a different helmet for its stats will not impact the appearance of the character.
- Loadout-based: Transmogrification which applies to an overall slot for one specific gear loadout. Similar to slot-based Transmogrification, this will allow the player to equip different items for their stats without impacting their character's appearance; it will also allow them to save these appearances separately across different loadouts which can be customised independently.
- Item-based: Transmogrification which applies to a specific item, such as one helmet. With this system, equipping a different helmet for its stats will require the player to apply their Transmogrification again to the new helmet. If a new appearance is used, then swapping back to the original helmet would revert to its original Transmogrified appearance, requiring the player to Transmogrify it again to keep their latest chosen appearance.
Free Transmogrification
Games such as Assassin's Creed: Odyssey and Hogwarts Legacy feature free and limitless Transmogrification, wherein an item's appearance is instantly added to a collection or compendium upon looting said item. The player may then enter their inventory and apply this appearance to their character at any time, at no cost.[3]
Limited Transmogrification
Certain games, whilst not monetising their Transmogrification system, will introduce in-game limitations to prevent the player from accessing Transmogrification as freely as they otherwise would. One such example is Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, which differs from its predecessor Odyssey in two key ways:
- Transmogrification can no longer be performed from the Inventory, and the player must travel back to their home town of Ravensthorpe each time they wish to equip a different appearance.
- Transmogrification is no longer free, and costs an arbitrary sum of 50 Silver, Valhalla's in-game currency, each time the player wishes to equip a different appearance.[4]
As an example of a different limitation, Avowed allows the player to Transmogrify their outfit, but only if the item used for its appearance is actively held in the inventory - impacting the player's inventory weight. Transmogrification in Avowed may also only be used to customise armour, not weapons.[5]
Monetised Transmogrification
Some games, such as Destiny 2, monetise Transmogrification by limiting the player's ability to equip appearances onto their character behind either a significant grind, a limited quantity within a particular time frame, or both; whilst offering players the option to forego these limitations at the cost of microtransactions.[2]
Other games, such as Soulframe, offer Transmogrification solely as a premium feature which must be purchased via microtransaction.[6]
List of Video Games Featuring Transmogrification
Where Transmogrification was introduced as post-launch content, this list shall feature the name and release year of the relevant update or expansion where applicable.
| Year | Title | Transmog System | Transmog Added | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Lord of the Rings: Online - Book 12: The Ashen Wastes | Free | Post-Launch | |
| 2009 | Earth Eternal | Free | At Launch | |
| 2011 | World of Warcraft: Cataclysm | Limited | Post-Launch | In order to soulbind an item, making it available for Transmogrification, the player must visit one of a number of specific NPCs, and pay a quantity of Gold, one of World of Warcraft's in-game currencies.[7] |
| 2014 | Diablo III: Reaper of Souls | Limited | Post-Launch | Transmogrification costs Gold, the in-game currency of Diablo 3.[8] |
| 2019 | Assassin's Creed: Odyssey v1.0.7 | Free | Post-Launch | |
| 2021 | Assassin's Creed: Valhalla v1.2.0 | Limited | Post-Launch | Transmogrification cannot be performed from the Inventory, and the player must travel back to their home town each time they wish to equip a different appearance. Transmogrification is not free, and costs an arbitrary sum of 50 Silver, Valhalla's in-game currency, each time the player wishes to equip a different appearance.[4] |
| 2021 | Destiny 2: Season of the Splicer | Monetised | Post-Launch | Transmogrification is limited behind a grind and seasonal limit, and is monetised in order to forego these limitations.[2] |
| 2021 | Outriders | Free | Post-Launch | |
| 2022 | Cyberpunk 2077 v1.6 | Free | Post-Launch | |
| 2025 | Assassin's Creed Shadows | Free | At Launch | |
| 2025 | Avowed | Limited | At Launch | The player may Transmogrify their outfit, but only if the item used for its appearance is actively held in the inventory - impacting the player's inventory weight. Transmogrification may also only be used to customise armour, not weapons.[5] |
| TBD | Soulframe | Monetised | At Launch | Transmog uses a resource called Moonsteel Thread, purchased via microtransaction using the game's premium currency, Arcs. Transmog is not yet available for weapons, though has been confirmed as upcoming content.[6] |
References
- ↑ Stickney, A. (March 14, 2012). "Transmogrification, the hottest new game of dress-up". Engadget. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Savage, Phil (May 18, 2021). "Destiny 2's transmog grind is a symptom of a larger problem with its real-money store". PC Gamer. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Assassin's Creed: Odyssey: Introducing the Visual Customization System". Ubisoft. November 14, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ramée, J. (March 16, 2021). "Assassin's Creed Valhalla Finally Gets A Transmog Feature But It's Worse Than Odyssey's". Gamespot. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Blum, J. (February 13, 2025). "Avowed: How to transmogrify and hide gear". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Preludes 11 Arrives!". Soulframe. Digital Extremes. October 9, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ↑ Randall, H. (January 24, 2026). "WoW's rough 2.0 transmog overhaul is mostly fixed, and I'm left wondering why Blizzard didn't just take the easy win". PC Gamer. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ↑ Bedford, J. (November 27, 2020). "Diablo 3 Mystic tips - how to perform enchanting and Transmogrify items". Eurogamer. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
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