Guild Wars 2

Meta events are nice. They tell a story, chain together events and usually lead to grand battles. However, I find them to be rather linear in most cases. Usually, it’s either just a linear, one direction chain of events, or a tug of war. What I’m suggesting is adding side events that alter the main events in the chain. Let’s take “Assault on Ascalon Settlement” for an example. It’s a rather interesting event chain, but most events are rather irrelevant. So, what would I do to it?

Let’s say Nebo Terrace is safe and centaurs are rebuilding their forces. Now, two side events spawn in the area – one, an architect has been captured by the centaurs, and must be freed and escorted to Nebo Terrace, and two, a supply caravan must be escorted to Nebo Terrace. These side events wouldn’t show on the meta event header, but if both would be completed, another event would begin, where the players would use the supplies to build defenses in the town.These defenses would last, and would make defending the town easier.

And to take it further, add additional goals to the events that change the outcome of the event. For example, when the centaurs attack Nebo Terrace, a chieftain is with them. If the chieftain is killed before the centaurs retreat, this starts another event where the Seraph take the chance to go on an offensive against the centaurs.

Still want to take it up a notch? Long lasting results. Let’s actually have events change the zone for a long time. If the players successfully push out the centaurs and take the Blood Hills Camps, they stay out for several days. During this time, the meta event is replaced by one that focuses on rebuilding the area and keeping it safe. Once the “Safe time” is over, centaurs start attacking again, and if events are failed in succession, they can take the area back.

Still want more? If the centaurs are possessing both Nebo Terrace and Ascalon Settlement, why should they just stand there, complacent in their victory? They should continue, send forces against the Lionguard fort, burn down Cornucopian Fields, and attack the Almuten Estates.

Of course, doing all this is a lot of work, considering the amount of meta events around. However, it would make the world feel more alive, and deliver some of the promises we were given.