Guild Wars 2

This idea is intended for a future expansion, not simple patches
Please read both posts before replying
TL;DR: Stop being lazy. If you don’t want to read get off an online forum.

Since release, and really before, there have been lots of ideas regarding new classes and weapons, debate over raising the level cap and continuing progression, and requests to revive old classes or weapon types. I’ve created a few such threads myself here and on guru, but have since condensed everything in a single new idea and system that I present for your consideration today.

First things first, the new weapons. For simplicity I’ve decided on three weapons, one of each of core weapon types (weaponsmith, huntsman, artificer) and feel that these new weapons be adding the their related crafting disciplines, however these new weapons would neither be available from the lowest tiers, nor restricted to the highest. This is because of when such weapons would be usable by players, starting around level fifty.

These weapons are pole-arms (with skins ranging from spears to scythes to halberds), crossbows, and orbs (floating mystic focuses that are guided by both hands). All of these weapons are counted as two handed, and most of the existing classes would be given one of them through the advanced class system.

Higher level cap
I’m thinking rising the cap to ninety would be fine for this. Now I know right now some people are instantly saying no, but here me out. This new level cap does not in any way effect your core stats nor enable gear grind. This is because after level eighty, the current cap, you stop gaining attribute points completely. These new ten levels are used only for an additional ten trait points, and then only after you’ve activated an advanced class. While I imagine adding some new equipment prefixes would be cool, I also do not think a new level range of armor should be added. Your current exotics would stay top tier armor (although you may decide to change to a new prefix), and no one is mucking with those legendary weapons.

Advanced classes
This is where things get interesting. Instead of adding new classes to the game, each existing class instead gains a pair of advanced classes. At level fifty or higher new and current players may visit their class trainer and purchase a new manual. These manuals are used to unlock one of the two advanced classes. While this choice can be overridden later by buying a new manual, you cannot have both options active at one time. Each advanced class offers the following benefits.

*A new weapon type for the class with skills themed to the advanced class choice
*New tier four (ten point) utility skills themed to the advanced class choice
*New tier two (thirty point) elite skills themed to the advanced class choice
*A sixth trait line themed to the advanced class choice
*A new “epic” tier of traits (requiring a level eighty “epic” manual to unlock) for all lines with minor and major perks themed to the advanced class choice

Below I’ll list a of few my ideas for what these advanced classes would be. Please note that this is only a recent idea, so I am leaving a lot unsaid as I want the community, and hopefully Arena Net, to be inspired by this, rather than me simply telling them what to do.

Warrior
-Paragon. New weapon: Pole-arm. Class focus: Support
-Templar. New weapon: Off-hand torch. Class focus: Control

Guardian
-Crusader. New weapon: Pole-Arm. Class focus: Mid-range control
-Inquisitor. No one expects the Tyrian inquisition! (I’m sorry). New weapon: Long Bow. Class focus: Ranged fire damage.

Ranger
-Druid. New weapon: Staff. Class focus: Support/control
-Mercenary. New weapon: Rifle. Class focus: Ranged damage

Engineer
-Gadgeteer. New weapon: Crossbow. Class focus: traps and conditions
-Technologist. New weapon: hammer. Class focus: melee damage and defensive buffs

Thief
-Assassin. New weapon: crossbow. Class focus: ranged damage/stealth
-Monk . New weapon: staff (martial). Class focus: melee AOE damage, evasion

Elementalist
-Dervish. New weapon: Pole-arms. Class focus: boon/condition manipulation, mobility buffs
-Sorcerer. New weapon: off-hand torch. Class focus: Melee damage, DOT spam

Necromancer
-Ritualist. New weapon: orb. Class focus: spirit summoning, support
-Warlock. New weapon: Main-hand sword. Class focus: Darkness control, blinds.

Mesmer
-Adept. New weapon: orb. Class focus: clones/phantasms
-Street magician. New weapon: main-hand pistol. Class focus: Bouncing attacks, conditions

Arena net said there is no plans for an expansions as of now. All of these things you mention, if ever added into the game, would be added through an update, not an expansion.

A sight addition to this idea; new armor skins.

People have been asking for skins designed and specifically to the existing professions for a while now, and while I personally don’t feel such a thing is warranted because all the current professions are rather distinct in terms of their abilities and weapons (for example; if you see a mid-armor wearing character with an axe the only thing they could be is a ranger), I do feel that having another way to tell the advanced classes apart could be helpful. Such as being able to tell a base ranger from a druid, and a druid from a merc . As such having “advanced armors” skins available that are locked by profession as well as level would be a nice touch.

I really like the idea of advanced classes, sounds like a cool way to specialize characters, make them more individual, and bring back some classes from GW1.

Unfortunately I doubt they’ll ever go this route though

Basically you’re looking to go the way of AD&D prestige classes. Not sure that will ever be seriously considered due to the added balancing challenges.

No new opinions?