Guild Wars 2

So according to this, and based on what tons of people are saying:

“Legendary items were always intended to be on par with other “best-in-slot” items. So fear not, all existing Legendary weapons, which are currently on par with Exotics, will be upgraded to be on par with Ascended weapons at the same time that we add Ascended weapons to the game. Thus Legendaries will remain “best-in-slot” items. All Legendary items going forward will be of Ascended power. "

- Linsey Murdock

Exotics are now a “tier” below Legendaries. Originally on par, but now below Ascended, which will now be on par with Legendaries. So Ascended is the new “par”.

So clearly, we no longer have vanity progression. As many of you have argued, if I leave the game for 12 months and come back, I will have to “gear up” to be able to run dungeons and compete in PvP.

Since many of us argue this violates the “no gear grind” philosophy, then why not either (and forgive me if this has been brought up before)

- provide those who have achieved exotics free upgrades to Ascended gear. That way there is no grind. You’ll have multiple sets- one for the dungeons requiring you to mitigate Agony, the other sets for everything else. Legendaries can still be sought, and again once achieved, they do not provide stat improvement, just different skins. The mechanics of your new content can remain, and everyone is happy.

- Ascended gear is a dungeon key. Have a quest chain to obtain this “key” or the ring, or whatever you want players to use to brave the dungeons and mitigate agony. Create a quest chain for it. That’s something to shoot for, something to work toward. Now, if you want to run the dungeon with your fellow players, you must complete the chain first. You get some good backstory. Players can help you with the chain. At the end, you get your prize, which when equipped allows you to run it. Now you have what you need, its soulbound, you’ll always have it. No gear improvement, no violation of the gear-vs-skill-based play.

So, why not something like this, where everyone is happy?

I agree with finding a better, more creative way of making the dungeons harder while encouraging players to continue to do them. I much prefer having to complete a precise set of tasks (flawlessly) in the first sets of dungeons than have to change my gear because of a mindless gated mechanic.

What wrong with only adding filler gear between exotic and legendary that is required for the legendary.

You could maybe have a title track for the specific dungeon that gives you a certain resistance to agony instead of adding it to gear. either way your going to divide your community whether its through gear stat or character stats.

I just think there are other more creative ways to add a feel of progression other than tiered gear and gated content.