Guild Wars 2

I thought it would be challenging for low level alts to do the part 2 of the event, then find it impossible due to some basic design which does not consider the case of a low level crossing a high level zone. I scouted with my level 80 and thought I figured out a probably safe path to get all books, but looks like I was wrong. A lot of corpses on the way to the Ruins of Holy Demetra due to the bandits and many other aggresive mobs. There are many serious bottlenecks that would block you from proceeding. It just won’t work on a low level unless someone babysits you through the journey.

(1) Mobs aggro from incredible long range, probably at least twice as long as normal aggro range.

(2) Mobs respawning too fast. I killed them with my level 80 on the spot, switch to my alt instantly and the mob is already there. WTF.

(3) Running with other groups might be helpful in restricted narrow zone but not in a open field because high level people just run through and you know what would happen if you follow them. Aggro in this game does not stick to the one who started the train.

There are many likewise event related things like this in WoW and I always love the challenge. But the above-mentioned mechanics in this game (they don’t have so much influence in WoW) are blocking the challenge severely. You guys at ANet might think you have made something likewise, but unfortunately there is a huge difference. These mechanics in GW2 are hurting the game already, and it have just become extremely frustrating in this occasion when you try to do Act 2 with your low level alts.

It reminds me of all those failed story quests. Probably tested with level 80s only?

The reward does not mean anything with my level 80, so it is not an issue if my level 80 can do it or not. It is the issue that whether my low level alts can do it or not. Then the rewards serve as a real reward for a challenge. But it you need someone to babysit you in order to complete it, then it really sucks. This is not something that you should always have to rely on someone else.

Put up a guild rally banner! oops….

I think it’s possible to do with your alt. Just partner up with someone. Heck you could even take turns escorting each other’s lowbie alt.

I don’t think the level of the zones is out of line, given the quest reward, and given the backstory.

I think characters that are too low level to complete the event cycle on their own should just wait until next year.

I had alot of fun doing it on my higher level and would not want them to kitten the events just because some people have OCD about doing the thing 5 times within this week. I have 3 characters between 6 and 22 that wont complete the memoirs this year, no big deal.

Yes, I love how they advertised the game as “endgame starts at level one”, basically levels aren’t too important, then a holiday comes out and they screw low level players.

Why is there even a level cap on a holiday event?. I mean its something everyone should be able to enjoy without having to have someone babysit you from zone to zone etc. Im level 47 and even i could hardly pass the final Act 2 clue. I dread to think where Act 3 will take us.

I dont even know where ill be in a year from now, so the “wait untill next year” is pretty fare out there.

They officially said that this part of the event is for all levels.
Things would be exciting, challenging and fun if the mob won’t aggro at you from a distance you can barely see them, or mob won’t switch aggro on a train, or there is a secure path if you tried your best, but unfortunately these are simply not the case.

I don’t know what you’re talking about I ran this on three characters two of which were under level 10 to get all the chapters in the book. The hardest one for me was on my level 8 in the crypts because the fire in there and the traps if you timed it wrong was an instant kill. Other than that I had no issues with any of my characters getting all 6 chapters, heck 5 of the chapters don’t even require you to go anywhere close to mobs. Well I take that back, the one in Kessix Hills if you don’t go all the way around the bend and try to run through the bandit camp area will get you or the bats on the cliff side there. But otherwise I think you may have just been oddly unlucky with aggro. I always explore high level zones with low level alts as an avid alt-o-holic and try to complete all content for holiday events as soon as they come out not when my character is “level” appropriate to the zone.

Mastruq.2463:

I think characters that are too low level to complete the event cycle on their own should just wait until next year.

I had alot of fun doing it on my higher level and would not want them to kitten the events just because some people have OCD about doing the thing 5 times within this week. I have 3 characters between 6 and 22 that wont complete the memoirs this year, no big deal.

While I understand the frustration for those who want to complete it on their lower or mid levels alts, I agree with your comment.

I collect achievements but I know none of my current toons are capable of it this year. Bummer? Well ,sure it is. Tragic? Not in the least. I’m hoping next year they’ll have rethought some of the events a tad, like the clock tower puzzle being group only and timed and I won’t be in the position many find themselves and pulling my hair out by the roots due to the stress it invokes. I have found that every MMO has things in their holiday events that are -for- higher levels as well as some -for- lower levels to part in. In this gimmie it all and gimmie it right the heck now sense of entitlement without having to wait until they are -able- is indicative of the sad state of our modern world.

I agree with the OP, after Act 1 there is no point to playing if you have a lower level character. Considering that GW2 just started and not everyone is a zerger, I’m surprised that they presented an event that requires a higher level character ( or a more experienced / persistent player) to complete. I have been playing MMOs since EQ1 started but I am not hardcore. I logged in today with my 30 Ranger and found out that the rest of this event is not for me. A shame…

Just a couple days ago there were posts from people playing low level alts that the lvl 80s were in the low level zones hunting doors and ruining things for the low levels. Now that things have been moved to higher levels, people are mad yet again.

Find a group to go with or ask in guild. I have taken some low level people to help them out.

Just thought the irony was funny.

Mastruq.2463:

I think characters that are too low level to complete the event cycle on their own should just wait until next year.

I had alot of fun doing it on my higher level and would not want them to kitten the events just because some people have OCD about doing the thing 5 times within this week. I have 3 characters between 6 and 22 that wont complete the memoirs this year, no big deal.

Totally agree. Those areas aren’t that difficult on lower lvls because they are all very near eachother and the cities. However if you are still unable to make it there and talk to a NPC then maybe you don’t deserve the reward either. It’s not like the game is only out for 1 week, there was enough time. If you didn’t use your time to lvl then that was your own choice. If you just bought the game, well you can’t expect to be able to participate in everything then. Completing these pages is not necessary for anything else in the entire game. They released a lot of Halloween content that doesn’t even take your lvl into account (Mad King’s Realm). So just go there and enjoy the season. All of the high lvls are also there since the pages quest is very short and easy.

I have a few characters at level 50 or so. One at 53, my highest level character. I took the high leveled character to the different places for the Act II book — and had to use a guide, since these were places I’d never been before (so the clues were totally meaningless to me).

After completing it all on that one character… the rest are probably going to pass the Act II book, even though they completed Act I. They’re not high enough level, I don’t enjoy dying repeatedly trying to get places, and don’t want to be escorted.

This is OK.

I can take my level 30-something thief into the Mad King’s Labyrinth and be upscaled to 80. I can bring my level 40 mesmer to the Reaper’s Rumble or the Lunatic Inquisiton easily. And so on.

The only thing I’m missing is one back slot item and some story text. The vast majority of the event is still perfectly accessible, even to my low level characters. And that’s only because I really don’t want to bother with finding help to get to the places I would have to go.

People always find something to complain about.

Fiddlestyx.9714:

Yes, I love how they advertised the game as “endgame starts at level one”, basically levels aren’t too important, then a holiday comes out and they screw low level players.

How so? Lower leveled players can…

1) Participate in getting the first book of the Mad Mind

2) Compete in both the mini-game PvP’s of the Inquisition and the Reaper’s Rumble

3) Participate and complete the Clock Tower jumping puzzle

4) Mine for candy corn

6) Costume Brawl

So…just because they can’t do EVERYTHING, doesn’t mean that lower level characters are being cast out of the events. They’re just limited to that they can’t fight the level 80 Champion (Labrynth), or due the 2nd book section. So what?

what are you talking about this whole Halloween event has been an epic failure

Bad Villain.6154:

what are you talking about this whole Halloween event has been an epic failure

No, it has been great (but not perfect). Some stuff could use more direction, but forums and Google are useful there, so it’s not too big of a problem.

Whilst I will agree that getting the 6 books solo this time would be difficult/impossible for a low level character, I will also say that the game caters quite well for making it possible.

Today, myself, on a level 80 Ranger, together with another level 80 Ranger, successfully (and I might add, with little to no trouble), happily escorted fellow guild members (level 24 and 35) together with another gentleman we ran into along the way (level 23) to complete all 6 books – and had a whole lot of fun along the way to boot.

Dare I say it, but this is an MMO, not a single player game, and thus, I’d hope people take advantage of that, use the opportunities to group up! It makes playing a lot more fun

mulch.2586:

Put up a guild rally banner! oops….

I think it’s possible to do with your alt. Just partner up with someone. Heck you could even take turns escorting each other’s lowbie alt.

I don’t think the level of the zones is out of line, given the quest reward, and given the backstory.

^^This.

I am not interested in doing it for my lowbie alts myself, but my friend is, so I am going to play body guard while he completes the pages. It’s prolly not a perfect solution, but we will make it work.

I am not complaining about its too hard, I am complaining on some of its inconsiderate part that hurts the objective of the event. It is supposed to be fun, and apparently it wants low level to be able to do it because the back only takes level 1 gem into its slot. However, the actual experience of the majority of the low level alts would be lots of frustration due to the reasons I gave.

You don’t want to die if you are playing it right. However, choosing the right path and taking all precautions would still get you killed so easily due to those train and quick respawn factors that you can do nothing with. Not to mention that this game does not give you a prompt alert when some mobs aggro on you, and there are many ranged mobs on the path too. It is always too late when you realize some mobs are already on your back the moment you figured it out.

I could do all these in WoW without any death of my low levels, but in this game, looks like you always have to die even you tried your best, just like some of the story quests that provide unavoidable deaths. I wonder, do they really want us to think that “Oh these devs love to kill your character so much…”?

Switching alts is not going to guarantee you land in the same overflow.

Yes, it requires a semi-high level to do the scavenger hunt quests in act 2 (did in act 1 as well), but, and this may be crazy as this is only an MMO and not some big multiplayer game or anything; you could try working with a high level to get escorted across the areas that are to high for you. Worked wonders on my lowbie elementalist in act 1 and I see no reason why I can’t do it for act 2 later as well.

This -is- an MMO, not everything needs to be entirely soloable from level 1+, in fact, the way its setup is a good thing as it can encourage a bit of socialization which is sorely lacking in the current MMO generation.

/end <getoffmylawn rant>

I did it on 3 level 20 alts with no help, once I had someone res me at a ghost but that was about it.

Now stop your complaining and pay attention to were you are running if you can’t avoid it use what skills you have or dodge, mobs lose agro very fast. Things to look out for are Ranged mobs and Risen.

Ranged mobs will get about two to three shots off on you if you don’t use speed you can dodge these very easy pan camera around and run. If it happens to get three shots well I hope you have a skill to stop it from hitting you.

Risen, well just try to avoid these at all cost most of them have an ungodly speed buff and there will be nothing you can do to outlive them if they argo they will one shot you. Invisibility or a Blink is about all that will save you.

PS: I seen a level 8 and 11 get the last book so please… this is 100% doable on low levels.

My necro got the Act 1 book at level 2. He got the Act 2 book at 7.
My elementalist got the Act 1 book at 7. He’s 8 now and I’ll get him the Act 2 book tomorrow.
No one helped me. I just followed random people that were out there anyway. I saw a lot of low level people too, usually with a high level escort. These people were more aware of mob aggro and were easier to follow.

If you want to solo through an MMO, you’re doing something very wrong.
It’s true that GW2 is soloable more often than not. But sometimes it isn’t – and that’s completely fine. Join a guild, shout on /m for a pug, wait for others to go there – problem solved!

Sylicant.9703:

I don’t know what you’re talking about I ran this on three characters two of which were under level 10 to get all the chapters in the book. The hardest one for me was on my level 8 in the crypts because the fire in there and the traps if you timed it wrong was an instant kill. Other than that I had no issues with any of my characters getting all 6 chapters, heck 5 of the chapters don’t even require you to go anywhere close to mobs. Well I take that back, the one in Kessix Hills if you don’t go all the way around the bend and try to run through the bandit camp area will get you or the bats on the cliff side there. But otherwise I think you may have just been oddly unlucky with aggro. I always explore high level zones with low level alts as an avid alt-o-holic and try to complete all content for holiday events as soon as they come out not when my character is “level” appropriate to the zone.

It’s ACT 2 were talking here -.- !

user error
low level alts= Failed Design – Inconsiderate for Act 2

I don’t know why am not able to edit my last post…I was wondering if this event with same rewards will carry out next year? If not (like in GW1 – different rewards each year) it will suck really hard. A.Net what happened to playing fair and NOT RUSH into leveling to enjoy the game you worked hard on.

I believe they assumed that people would have achieved lv40+ by now, after all the game’s been out for two months and getting one char to lv80 isn’t that hard nor long. I believe they assumed that the newcomers who just started playing a week ago would join a guild and get help from their guildies to get into the harder spots. I believe it’s wrong to believe that soloing everything despite of your ALT’s level should be fine.

You don’t need to do this on low level alts solo. You can easily do all of it at level 5 with random people from Lions Arch. If you can’t make friends, and can’t be bothered to level up, I guess you just do *everything* but the scavenger hunt.

Every MMO gives more holiday stuff to higher level people. A-net gives us one *absolutely* terrible piece of gear for it. Woohoo.

I am level 46 and could not finish Act 2 without help, I had to run 3 new maps for that. Not sure how am gonna do this for my lowbies. A.Net should have mentioned the level requirement… deceiving us like this, thank you very much…

When you’re low level, and not spending any real money in the shop, this event ends up being rather limited in fun…

Bit sad, for a holliday.

Seriously guys, what’s with that ‘i have to do everything solo’ mentality?
It’s an MMO, organise a team and go get it.

And its desinged for human race who already discovered map while leveling.

Siphaed.9235:

Fiddlestyx.9714:

Yes, I love how they advertised the game as “endgame starts at level one”, basically levels aren’t too important, then a holiday comes out and they screw low level players.

How so? Lower leveled players can…

1) Participate in getting the first book of the Mad Mind

2) Compete in both the mini-game PvP’s of the Inquisition and the Reaper’s Rumble

3) Participate and complete the Clock Tower jumping puzzle

4) Mine for candy corn

6) Costume Brawl

So…just because they can’t do EVERYTHING, doesn’t mean that lower level characters are being cast out of the events. They’re just limited to that they can’t fight the level 80 Champion (Labrynth), or due the 2nd book section. So what?

Actually, anyone in the mad kings labyrinth will be scaled up to level 80. They can fight the level 80 champion just fine although perhaps not as well as an actual level 80, same reason why a level 80 is better in wvw compared to a lower level char scaled up to 80. So… that leaves.. the book..

ONE thing out of all the things that can be done during the event (I dont count crafting)!

Tazdingo.8249:

And its desinged for human race who already discovered map while leveling.

Due time for non-humans to explore it then! At christmas its probably gonna be centered around the norn areas.

I just went through the whole book hunt with a lv15 character, just got a hand from puggies and guildies.

A. do it with your guild helping

B. don’t do it with all your alts. By Christmas your alt will be 80 and you can do the Christmas event with your alt.

@Blackwolfe i hope so hehe . dat gonna be awesome christmas

I thought this game was meant to be played together.
Like others have said, going in with a few others will help out a lot. Especially with tons of people doing the same stuff. Guildies might not even be necessary.

I felt like the Phase 1 event was inconsiderate for my end game character, so I was excited when Phase 2 came and I could get something semi useful.

Well just finished it on my 44 Mesmer. Only area I had problems with was Sparkfly Fen.

I was getting OHK, not fun at all. Lucky for me some other people came along and helped.

I only did it with my level 80 main and this was enough. It’s not that I need this item for all of my chars… and there probably will be other items in the future for the back slot with a nicer look. Book does not fit to every race/class.

Well , did anyone try to make the book many times on 1 char? I got 3 books on my 3 80s.

I wonder if i could stock a few more.

I thought it was bound and you only get the quest/dialogues 1 time?
Really the best solution regarding alts would be if they made achievement like the pumpkin carver where npc is reacting to it and talking different stuff if you completed it – and then an npc just giving out that skin for all the chars on that account if you completed that achivement.

Still would not solve the problem with people completely new to the game but they could just run with a group. Would be more worth the trouble then if they unlocked it for the whole account.

I can understand hard things like the clocktower that requires skill, thats fine but making something that requires a high level is just unfair for new players

act 2 restored my faith in halloween great update arenanet!

Hologramx.6402:

They officially said that this part of the event is for all levels.
Things would be exciting, challenging and fun if the mob won’t aggro at you from a distance you can barely see them, or mob won’t switch aggro on a train, or there is a secure path if you tried your best, but unfortunately these are simply not the case.

I agree with the OP and Hologramx. I became quite frustrated this morning when I tried to get my level 30 engi to sparkfly and could not get to the entrance to the zone. I’m stuck on bloodtide coast and tried several ways to get to sparkfly. I finally gave up. And when i asked if anyone was going to sparkfly, you could hear the crickets chirping. Bah! Humbug! (oops, wrong holiday. hehe)

This isn’t the first thing that irritated me with the event, but it was finally the one that got me to walk away for a bit.

I find people who pontificate about it being an MMO, not a solo game hilarious. Really, if that’s important to them, the question is why they aren’t in EQ1, not why people who prefer soloing are in GW2.

Honest question. Has anybody tried eating candy corn to get the speed boost that stacks so that they can speed their low lvl alts across the zone? I just thought of this and am wondering if it would be a viable strategy.

I just finished it as a level 11 engineer. I also had a level 3 elementalist and a level 15 warrior in my group. Granted, it took us a while and we died more than a few times and we had to ask for help a few times (namely, in the crypt in Gendarran Fields, and just before the last waypoint in Bloodtide Coast), but it was great fun and it is definitely possible.

seeing as everyone is running for them, why not just ask for help, or for a group in map chat in the area, or in lion’s arch? personally I’d be fine running with anyone needing to get there.