Guild Wars 2

I really have to ask here, am I the only one who HATES this? Frack am I the only one who is actually trying to have a good time?

Joined three AC dungeons via the LFG tool… each one decided to stack in a tiny corner next to the stairs at the first boss. Didn’t even stay beyond that (Except the first one, who booted me when I wouldn’t join them stacking on the rubble just after the spider) After I realized they weren’t even bothering to split from that, I decided to go to a CM run.

The run started ok. Did the Asura path and were killing things… somewhat well. Aside from three guys deciding to run into a room in range of six mobs instead of sniping down three guys before taking out archers. And skipping Seamus and using the cutscene trick on the guy in the warehouse, fine.

Things started to look bad though when one of the guys started asking for stacking. For every mob. When he said to stack for what’s-her-name (the one who warps around) I stood back and grumbled. Yeah I admit it but dammit, I was bored. I do these dungeons to have fun, not… this.

The final boss though…. again, they decided to do the “stack on a rock” exploit.

Two of them.

The other three of us tried to do it legit. The remaining two simply stood and watched and contributed absolutely nothing until we died, at which point they proceeded to exploit to hell and back, lambasting us the whole way. I didn’t even stay for the reward and just left (Though in hindsight I wish I could have convinced the other two to join me in booting them.).

So I ask you. After all this, am I the ONLY ONE who is actually still trying to have FUN in these dungeons instead of just rushing through everything as fast as fracking possible in the most dull, boring, repetitive, least-effort-requiring way imaginable?

Stacking its not an exploit it just makes it easier to melee boss/rez people/drop heals or whatever you want , if everybody is spread out it’s worse trust me. The Spider Queen you are talking about .. if you dont stack she will just one shot your whole party with an aoe. If you do the runs via LFG i would say 90% of people will use the stacking method, if you don’t like it you could start your own party and say something like
‘’ no stacking’’ but that would be a huge waste of time. Just do it and you will get used to it. I dont know what class/weapon you use but sure if you are an engineer , it must suk to stack like this.

a t s e.9614:

Stacking its not an exploit it just makes it easier to melee boss/rez people/drop heals or whatever you want , if everybody is spread out it’s worse trust me. The Spider Queen you are talking about .. if you dont stack she will just one shot your whole party with an aoe. If you do the runs via LFG i would say 90% of people will use the stacking method, if you don’t like it you could start your own party and say something like
‘’ no stacking’’ but that would be a huge waste of time. Just do it and you will get used to it. I dont know what class/weapon you use but sure if you are an engineer , it must suk to stack like this.

Warrior, actually. Mainly using mace/axe and rifle. Here’s the thing though, I’ve completed AC dozens of times and yet today is the FIRST time I have EVER seen the spider stacking method.

Admittedly I haven’t done AC in a couple months but still…

Thats strange actually. Ive never seen a single group trying to kill that spider normally, but i guess now with CoF nerf, people do differents dungeons and start to learn the right methods. But yea if you are warrior i see no reason to not like stacking it just make it easier to DPS the boss.

ANET should do something to fix these stacking exploits. It is an exploit because the mobs either stop atacking you or they stop using some of their atacks, for example in TA if you stack in a tree to fight the champions before the nightmare tree the champion just bugs and does nothing against the group. Several bosses in the game suffer from this exploit.

They should use the AI from the bandits or the centaurs from Kessex Hills on the bosses, those mobs are always moving while you fight then and they won’t let you stack then in a corner.

To be honest, stacking and engaging the last boss on the Asura path is pretty longer compared to meleeing him while moving around. His normal attack does not track, so if you have the 33% chill reduction trait you can use that.

Also, on the engineer tidbit: stacking on a boss, if done right, helps immensly with positioning woes engineer has with might stacking. On a boss trapped on a corner I can chain my CCs to stack might with kitten ss repositioning issues, as well as having all my nades connect properly.

Anet should balance PVE by balancing skills not bosses.
Once it will be done we will have 90% less complaining about easy istances…..

Also if people werent so forced to farm gold we would have runs for fun and not for rewards….

Stop being difficult if you are joining groups.

If you’re going to PUG, you really need to stop imposing on your “want to experience the game,” “play the way I want” unless you’re forming the group yourself and noting exactly that on your post.

For myself, and I suppose many others, we just want to finish this path as easily as possible. If stacking gets that done, I expect everyone to cooperate and help with stacking.

I’ve completed X path before, I’m done with running around like a headless chicken strategy. I just want this content done, get the rewards, say “thanks for the run!” and leave this random group of people I won’t remember after, and probably never see again.

AC has changed, the spider boss has changed. If the headless chicken strategy worked before, it definitely won’t work when 4 people expecting stack, and 1 person going range. The spider boss will kill the stack.

Dont party with those players. Form your own group. Problem solved.

Ever wonder why that little rock was left in CM where you could jump up and skip half the dungeon? Ive considered things like that were left in on purpose because the dungeons were kittened and Anet knew it.

Miaire is right speed runs stacking and skipping are the unwritten rule the SOP. So for a different experience it must be specified in the lfg. Whether anyone actually reads the description is a different topic.

stacking isn’t an exploit.

people stack spider queen to LOS it because it reduces the likelihood of people moving around and causing the spider queen to cast the poison aoe/because they want to fiery rush the queen.

people stack to LOS trash mobs so that they can be killed quickly and more safely in melee. if you don’t stack, the mobs will be able to run around and freely able to kill/kite you. (LOS also isn’t an exploit). on the other hand, standing in safespots is. for the CM endboss I’ve done him both stacking on a rock and legitimately, both ways are pretty easy.

for the most part, most people clear dungeons like AC because they’re easy money. AC is kind of fun, but when you’ve run the dungeon so many times it gets old. if I want to have fun in a dungeon I prefer to do arah because I have not mastered the lupicus fight yet and enjoy it very much.

if you hate running with people who use these quick and easy techniques, either state your requirements in the lfg (but I doubt this will get you far because most pugs cannot read), get a group of like-minded people or learn how to solo the dungeon so that you will be free of the oppressive requirements of those elitist speedrunning scum.

3:50 server time turned on comp logged into gw2

3:57 server time posted advert in the gw2 lfg tool

“non-stacking run ac path 3, skipping trash and kholer”

3:59 server time party is full

killed queen spider and final boss without stacking

4:22 server time dungeon is complete and everyone goes their separate ways

Thank you to the players who came. There was a lvl 67 warrior in there as well.

So it is not hopeless. We can make our own groups if this one sample can be believed.

Wow, you did find a group where you can play the way you want. So how about shutting up now and let people who want to stack because it’s efficient play the way they want.

Just go ahead and go your ways instead of posting this bs. You are not a true hero of awesomeness just because you play in a different way. Stacking is no exploit so no issue there.

Yeesh someone got out of the wrong side of bed. If you bothered to read I’m not the op. Your so offended by someone who doesn’t want to play your way you cannot even stand to see a post concerning it. Go away if you cannot handle reading the forums.

What’s so special about killing a boss slowly which can be easily soloable.

Not to mention, it is faster if you have an inexperienced player like the OP who hardly ever did AC before and non after the revision.

The real problem is people who did the dungeon hundred of times need to group with you who hardly ever done any dungeon before.

edit: my newbie talk is probably a bit harsh. What I really want to say is there are other people playing the game too. You can play whatever way you want. But it is not other people’s job to play the way you want.

There is a difference between stacking/LOSing and exploiting a boss by sitting in a place where you can hit him but he cant hit you. It seems this distinction is being confused by some people in this thread.

Stacking for spider queen is pretty risky when you are carrying 2 people lvling their engis in white lvl 1 gear. ;D

Slither Shade.4782:

So it is not hopeless. We can make our own groups if this one sample can be believed.

This proves that as long as everyone is on the same page when it comes to strategy, it can be completed.
But when one is playing hardball and insists on not following the strategy decided upon by the majority of the group, then the entire group will fail.

Acerola.6407:

Wow, you did find a group where you can play the way you want. So how about shutting up now and let people who want to stack because it’s efficient play the way they want.

There’s a difference between stacking for efficiency and stacking so you bug the boss that it doesn’t do all of its attacks. The latter is far more common.

^ The spider queen is designed to cast aoe “only” if you are in range. Just like the effigy which only cast his range attack when people are in range.

It dont’ have anything to do with stacking. You can just have everyone hitting in melee and the boss wont’ cast aoe. You dont’ have to hide in a corner.

Should the boss cast aoe on melee player too? Probably to make the fight more interesting.

There obviously is an exploit for the final boss of path 1 where people can use the stair. But I havn’t find much people doing it. Because it is way slower. And most people just do it the normal way. Usually if the group is bad, that is when you think about using stair.

no it isn’t. give me examples of stacking in safespots other than the CM boss, Belka 1200 range method, etc. that are known and often used by pugs

on the other hand stacking and LOSing is extremely common, at least in groups who know how to speedrun the content.

Yes, we definitely need to make these distinctions.

Stacking: This is legit. It’s a LOS method where all you are doing is grouping up mobs. You’re all together in one spot to keep the boss from moving around. This allows everybody to go full melee (more dangerous, but has higher damage). Everybody gets group buffs because you’re not spread out, and you can do your burst skills (like 100b) without worry off the boss moving out. Also, you can easily res anybody that is downed.

Exploitation: This is using a spot where the boss isn’t able to hit you. I will not name any current ones, but hotw p1 use to have spot on the boss in the crack in the wall. You were safe from his spin, and you could easily cleave him down.

The spider stacking is fine. The spider doesn’t use his range poison attack because everybody is melee. If one person moves back (to what would be considered range) he uses his range attack and the group will most likely wipe.

As to the OP, if you don’t like it leave. Start your own party and say (NO EXPLOITING!) in the description. As for stacking, it’s a good strategy. Fun is different for people. You might think kiting around the room auto attacking a boss for 10 min is fun. Whereas I think optimizing your DPS and killing the boss as fast as you can is fun.

Stacking is no exploit. An exploit is itself a kind of cheat, so where you get an advantage. Stacking is not advantageous at all if the players don’t know how to play. If I play my guard with GS and pull all enemies to one spot, this is also some kind of stacking. Just a matter of fact that most melee weapons can cleave in any way and that AoE damage is superior to single target damage in most situations. Don’t complain about stacking, complain about the way the game is designed.

Btw. Do you guys actually know, how long it takes to get some fully-equipped zerkers? We (me and 2 friends) hat lfg on an hour ago and needed 10 people to check to see that 8/10 run around with some crappy PVT gear. And even then, it isn’t said that those people can play their classes.

Well, I don’t mind groups using stacking that much (especially not like the OP), but I admit, it’s not really a fun way to go through a dungeon.

Still, the enjoyment of learning the best way of clearing a dungeon and getting through efficiently is really fun for me, so it offsets the lackluster experience of stacking.

After being calmer after being a bit ragey primarily over the exploiters in the last part (That was most of my rage, more than the AC stacking, to be honest) I want to address a few things.

Yes, OK, there are times for stacking and I admit I’ve joined in it…. when not stacking more frequently leads to frustration and death. Such as, say, Giganticus Lupus or, occasionally, Alpha. I’ve joined in stacking with minimal complaints there because otherwise it does lead to pointless frustration.

Bosses like the spider? There’s no need for stacking. As far as I know, anyway. Like I said, I’ve done it dozens of times in the past (Had to for my Gift of Ascalon) and never seen the stacking until today. I don’t know anything about any revamp it got though, and for me dodging and moving around and spending the time to rez people is more interesting and more engaging than standing on top of four other people, hitting 1, and Akitteng for 3 minutes. Rewards for no effort, yay, just what I always wanted…

As said, my main rage was towards the exploiters who decided to wait until the people who didn’t follow them died so they could do their own little exploit. Hell even when I get upset about people stacking or exploiting or whatever I still CONTRIBUTE. I still fire my shots or the like. I don’t just stand there picking my nose and doing nothing so I can get my way.

As for people talking about my build… it may not be your ideal Hundered-Blades-And-Rifle-Kill-Everything build, but screw that. It gives me some decent damage and interrupts and movable AOE that can make use of combo fields for the mace/axe, making me fairly effective against groups of trash mobs or individual targets that need to have heavy attacks interrupted. Which is mainly what I use it for. Bosses in dungeons and other high-risk targets (Like Aetherblades or the like) I generally use my rifle on. A pretty good amount of damage output from that that I like.

You seem to be getting very defensive. You should have expected this reaction when you come into forums to explicitly complain and whine about something that has already happened.

You whine about people not contributing, but your build seems to contribute less. We weren’t at any of the instances you’re speaking of, all we know is that you use rifle with mace/axe and like to kitten about people that stack.

Don’t even try to defend your build, because it will get even worse.

Chessrook.8643:

As for people talking about my build… it may not be your ideal Hundered-Blades-And-Rifle-Kill-Everything build, but screw that.

lol.

Oxxy.7068:

Chessrook.8643:

As for people talking about my build… it may not be your ideal Hundered-Blades-And-Rifle-Kill-Everything build, but screw that.

lol.

Classic “I play as I want” excuse for being bad.

Oxxy.7068:

Chessrook.8643:

As for people talking about my build… it may not be your ideal Hundered-Blades-And-Rifle-Kill-Everything build, but screw that.

lol.

I have to agree though, screw all those rifle warrior elitists.

B-but kill shot deals so much damage guys…

Nike Porphyrogenita.8137:

Oxxy.7068:

Chessrook.8643:

As for people talking about my build… it may not be your ideal Hundered-Blades-And-Rifle-Kill-Everything build, but screw that.

lol.

I have to agree though, screw all those rifle warrior elitists.

Lol, f1 OP man. Better than 100b

-decent
-fairly effective
-pretty good damage

sounds like a eugene build

Broadicea.8294:

-decent
-fairly effective
-pretty good damage

sounds like a eugene build

IDEAS

Nike Porphyrogenita.8137:

There is a difference between stacking/LOSing and exploiting a boss by sitting in a place where you can hit him but he cant hit you. It seems this distinction is being confused by some people in this thread.

This.

Surely there might be a thin line between strategy/best approach and exploit, sometimes.

But it’s all down to where you draw it.

Just an example:
Forcing mobs to group up with LoS to nuke them down is a exploit to you?

Surely not to me, cause that’s just balling up mobs using the enviroment – something that every single MMO does but, most of the time, with tanks.

Using unintended skill behaviours like (i’m just giving examples, i’m not arguing about what is unintended and what is just clever use) FGS Fiery Rush or Warrior’s GS Whirlwind attack to a wall or Whirlwind Wrath inside a mob are exploits to you?

And so on.

But if something is easy to pull off (los/stacking is much more pug friendly than coordinating 4x Fiery Rush spike) and gives an advantage, pugs will use it, period.

I’m fine with the stacking if used properly. The thing a lot of people don’t realize about stacking is that it can potentially cause the party to take more damage.

Spider Queen fight can be tough if you run in there when all the adds are still there. When people used to do the Queen with out stacking the first attempt was often a wipe because of the adds.

Second attempt with just the queen because the adds don’t respawn is just an easy, ‘stay out of the red circles’ fight.

When you stack every member is hit by every melee attack, as well as her cone attack. The benefit is that every member is also hit with every boon and is rezzed easily. But like someone mentioned above, stacking doesn’t work well with lower level characters because they just can’t sustain the damage.

Same goes for the last boss in Path 3. People found that stack spot because when AC was first revamped, Grast sucked and didn’t put up his bubble in time, so it was like a 50% chance the part would wipe everytime the rock fall roar was cast.

That boss is a melee only, knock back boss, when you stack for him, your party takes a lot of damage, and not all parties can sustain that easily.

Grast works fine now and fighting the boss legit is very very easily. I would argue that it is easier then the stack now. But people are afraid.

Just yesterday I was in a group and I asked the group to fight the boss normally because we had a couple lower level toons in there. They refused saying that stacking was easier. When we wiped the first time I asked them again and they agreed.

No one even came close to dying, it was a very easy fight.

Can enemies kill you if you don’t move ? If no you are exploiting.

Stacking isn’t an exploit. You can achieve the same by pulling monsters, but guardians seem to prefer to use something else than a greatsword these days (mostly a scepter with a shield and then use skill number 5 to “protect” the team).

Unfortunately doing things like that, people don’t learn. And thus they keep being bad.

Are you implying that GS#5 is an efficient way of pulling stuff together?

It is in select situations. :P

Said no decent mesmer ever.

;)

CryxTryx.9208:

When you stack every member is hit by every melee attack, as well as her cone attack. The benefit is that every member is also hit with every boon and is rezzed easily. But like someone mentioned above, stacking doesn’t work well with lower level characters because they just can’t sustain the damage.

Dodge into the wall when SQ does her melee attack. Prepare cond removal to cure immobilize from her cone attack.

colesy.8490:

Said no decent mesmer ever.

;)

^

Echoing the sentiment of Miaire when he says:
“If you’re going to PUG, you really need to stop imposing on your “want to experience the game,” “play the way I want” unless you’re forming the group yourself and noting exactly that on your post.”
Most people would like to see true exploit stacking fixed (where you are invulnerable but can kill whatever) – but taking those problems out of the argument stacking up before an encounter works well in a random group. It is easy to remember. It makes it easy to carry the weaker and less knowledgeable players a little bit. Random people understand when couple of people stack on a person they should go do the same thing – this makes directing things easier since most don’t have TS or even type well enough to articulate a reasonable thought. Lets face it most don’t listen or want to change – so do the same thing every time.
For example: A team mate wants to do the burrows in AC path 1 a different way than 90% of the people take them out. A PUG group is not the time to argue a novel way of trying something after you go do your own thing and make the group fail a few times to try to get your point across. Guess what that gets you? /kicked
Start a group saying non-standard AC path 1 if that is what you really want.
The great quality of many of the posts in this sub forum…
I give a little slack to the OPs just because you can’t search the dang site but come on… Many people need to read what they wrote and think harder about it before hitting the post button.

Edited to include tl&dr:
Stacking works well in PUG groups. Create your own if you do something most people don’t do. Also in addition to thinking about your posts first – always read them after and review. This one was too long.

Try running healing shouts so you won’t need stacking, just heal them all.

Spiuk.8421:

Try running healing shouts so you won’t need stacking, just heal them all.

^This.

If that doesn’t work put on signets so you only need to focus on doing your mega rifle damage.

If all else fails, get a guardian and spam auto with 1 to heal everybody.

Lol, endless entertainment.

RedStar.4218:

You can achieve the same by pulling monsters, but guardians seem to prefer to use something else than a greatsword these days (mostly a scepter with a shield and then use skill number 5 to “protect” the team).

/table flip

@Chessrook.8643
If you ever want to run a dungeon free of stacking, let me know in game or add me to your friends list.

I HATE STACKING. I like a challenge and I NEVER skip kholer or any optional boss.

mosspit.8936:

CryxTryx.9208:

When you stack every member is hit by every melee attack, as well as her cone attack. The benefit is that every member is also hit with every boon and is rezzed easily. But like someone mentioned above, stacking doesn’t work well with lower level characters because they just can’t sustain the damage.

Dodge into the wall when SQ does her melee attack. Prepare cond removal to cure immobilize from her cone attack.

I know how to do the fight, my point is stacking has its place. The spider queen stacked is fine, but some parties go overboard on the stacking and end up making it more difficult for themselves.

Aden Celeste.3650:

@Chessrook.8643
If you ever want to run a dungeon free of stacking, let me know in game or add me to your friends list.

I HATE STACKING. I like a challenge and I NEVER skip kholer or any optional boss.

Just run Arah P1-P3. Kill all mobs, especially the ones right before the Lupi Room. That right there is like 3 hours of fun for you. Then throw in full clear of P4. and you set your whole day with just one dungeon! Oh and don’t use the plunger to blow up all the mobs in that one section, instead kill all those guys too. There’s your challenge.

CryxTryx.9208:

mosspit.8936:

CryxTryx.9208:

When you stack every member is hit by every melee attack, as well as her cone attack. The benefit is that every member is also hit with every boon and is rezzed easily. But like someone mentioned above, stacking doesn’t work well with lower level characters because they just can’t sustain the damage.

Dodge into the wall when SQ does her melee attack. Prepare cond removal to cure immobilize from her cone attack.

I know how to do the fight, my point is stacking has its place. The spider queen stacked is fine, but some parties go overboard on the stacking and end up making it more difficult for themselves.

And I was being specific to the SQ example. For that encounter, you don’t have to get “hit by every melee attack”.