Guild Wars 2

What up fellow gamers? I was a GW1 junkie and then played GW2 long enough to get the Armor set I wanted for my main character, LVL 80, WvW for a little while but then lost interest. My son is 12 now and into gaming. I was trying to think of a game we could play together because I can’t get into Minecraft AT ALL. GW came to mind so I logged into my account the other day to refresh my memory. I think it’s time to give it another shot.

Figured I’d start here with some questions, what’s changed in 2 years (I know probably a ton but I’d rather not be completely lost)? Where would you start? New character?

Thanks in advance for the feedback

I’d probably suggest hopping around on your 80 to get a feel for things, catch up a bit in regards to what’s changed at end-game that you used to be aware of (hint: a lot), and then going through on a new character and getting a feel for the process changing as a new character as well, for a lot of that has also changed or been reworked multiple times.

Way too much has changed to even begin to try and explain things. All I can suggest is that you dive in and try to piece things together again based on your memory of things expecting that a lot has in fact changed, from landscapes and maps to stories to loot to classes and builds to story.

If I was you I’d keep all your old characters but make a new one (assuming you have a free slot) and level them up to re-learn the game.

A huge amount has changed in 2 years, but one of those things is that the game is a lot better at teaching you how things work as you go along. Anything you don’t understand you can ask in map chat or on here.

Danikat.8537:

If I was you I’d keep all your old characters but make a new one (assuming you have a free slot) and level them up to re-learn the game.

A huge amount has changed in 2 years, but one of those things is that the game is a lot better at teaching you how things work as you go along. Anything you don’t understand you can ask in map chat or on here.

Not sure I’d agree that it’s gotten better at teaching the game. Everyone I’ve met so far who’s started has a ton of questions as to why everything is covered in a lock icon or gets a bit frustrated with limited content to begin with. Having the community work together to answer such questions was a huge thing going for GW2 at release imho.

Yeah, first thing I noticed was that my build didn’t even exist anymore. I got a message that stated they match the build as close as they could. The game took almost 90 mins to launch because I basically had to reload the game due to all the updates. Lion’s Arch doesn’t even look like the same place.

I hopped around a bit and refreshed myself on the controls. Had to retrain all my skills but luckily it looks like they credited skill points back to my account so it was more a matter of just toggling through them and hitting the train button 150 times. Went to the banker and WOW has that changed. Last time I played there were no outfits or armor storage. I feel like I have to almost start over to relearn the game. Funny, I feel like once upon a time I dominated this game and now I’m back to being a noob.

I guess you know there is an expansion starting Friday? (And Halloween also). If you don’t know about the expansion, there is a lot to learn.

Only if the OP paid for it. Not much to gain if relearning the game and getting someone else who’s new into it, though.

Honestly … what better way to relearn the game than rolling a new character?

these links may be useful, including BogOtter’s vids for returning players

https://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/wiki/returningplayers

DeceiverX.8361:

Only if the OP paid for it. Not much to gain if relearning the game and getting someone else who’s new into it, though.

Better not to mention it and let them be unaware that there is an expansion then? Or maybe it’s useful to let them know just in case they do decide to buy it so they’ll get the character slot, maybe the bonus items and access to its features. Personally I would rather know. Even if I didn’t buy it right then.

Just FYI Tequatl will still crash on you.

Pokahpolice.1372:

Yeah, first thing I noticed was that my build didn’t even exist anymore. I got a message that stated they match the build as close as they could. The game took almost 90 mins to launch because I basically had to reload the game due to all the updates. Lion’s Arch doesn’t even look like the same place.

I hopped around a bit and refreshed myself on the controls. Had to retrain all my skills but luckily it looks like they credited skill points back to my account so it was more a matter of just toggling through them and hitting the train button 150 times. Went to the banker and WOW has that changed. Last time I played there were no outfits or armor storage. I feel like I have to almost start over to relearn the game. Funny, I feel like once upon a time I dominated this game and now I’m back to being a noob.

The problem with new Lion’s Arch is it’s too neutral and sanitized as opposed to the gritty piraty look of old Lion’s Arch. That place had character.

Pokahpolice.1372:

Yeah, first thing I noticed was that my build didn’t even exist anymore. I got a message that stated they match the build as close as they could. The game took almost 90 mins to launch because I basically had to reload the game due to all the updates. Lion’s Arch doesn’t even look like the same place.

I hopped around a bit and refreshed myself on the controls. Had to retrain all my skills but luckily it looks like they credited skill points back to my account so it was more a matter of just toggling through them and hitting the train button 150 times. Went to the banker and WOW has that changed. Last time I played there were no outfits or armor storage. I feel like I have to almost start over to relearn the game. Funny, I feel like once upon a time I dominated this game and now I’m back to being a noob.

Just an FYI: You don’t have to hit the ‘train button’ 150 times. Just go to the last trait/skill/item you desire, and it will automatically unlock all the previous ones in the circle.

Welcome return.

Make a new character? Do you have enough gold? Maybe try making ascended gears for the upcoming fractals update and raids. Try out PvP once in a while, it could be fun, but be warned about kitten team mates and enemies. Halloween event is nearing, maybe try doing stuff in the Halloween events, or even farm corn cob pieces for 20 slot bags (Halloween Pail). In terms of “power level”, you didn’t miss much. I took a very long break as well, and I missed a lot of Living Story season 1 events, but thankfully, they made the wise decision to make Living Story season 2 replayable. I’m hoping LS1 would make a return as well.

How should I go about getting an account for my son? Just buy a second account? What if I use the same email address? Is that going to try to tell me I already have an account? I don’t want there to be any issues where someone thinks I’m running some sort of scam by creating multiple accounts.

The actual account name is the e-mail, so you need a separate e-mail address for each account.

You could just create a new account and let him try the f2p version first to see if he has an interest before investing money.

You can not use the same email address for more than one account. You can easily create a new, unique email account, and so you should. One never associated with any other game, etc.

You can pre-purchase an account for your son, or you can create a Play4Free account for him, and upgrade it later, though purchasing now would afford you (him) some free bonuses.

Good luck.

Countess Aire.9410 – I got your PM but can’t respond via PM for another 2 days due to spam rules on the forum.?? Here is the response to your PM…

Thanks, that’s actually a great suggestion. I almost forgot how great the world bosses were in this game :-) I’m going to get my son an account today and start a new character with him. That will give us the same starting point so we can run thru the beginning together. That will also let us have the same map completion. Then once he gets into stuff I can go back to my main and not have to do the grind getting my Armor Set….maybe keep working on the legendary weapon while he grinds other stuff.

Thanks, I appreciate the responses. I forgot that the email is the login. I’ll just create an email for him and buy an account.

HaxTester.9816:

Make a new character? Do you have enough gold? Maybe try making ascended gears for the upcoming fractals update and raids. Try out PvP once in a while, it could be fun, but be warned about kitten team mates and enemies. Halloween event is nearing, maybe try doing stuff in the Halloween events, or even farm corn cob pieces for 20 slot bags (Halloween Pail). In terms of “power level”, you didn’t miss much. I took a very long break as well, and I missed a lot of Living Story season 1 events, but thankfully, they made the wise decision to make Living Story season 2 replayable. I’m hoping LS1 would make a return as well.

Not sure if I have enough gold…LOL. I used to have plenty based on what I was looking to get. Was grinding a Legendary Weapon for a while but never finished. I don’t even remember what weapon I was going after. Guess we’ll find out as I get going.

You say you want something to play with your son right? What better option than rolling a new character with him and reaching 80 together. You will learn everything new in the process.

DO NOT delete any of your original toons as you’ll get age related stuff from them.

Well, what do you like? I would suggest going to Dry Top and Silverwastes (both are accessed via Brisbane Wildlands) because HoT will have a number of zones to check out too.

A new character is a good idea too as you will have gotten birthday gifts that can instantly level a character to 20, as well as tomes of knowledge gotten from simply logging in. If you did nothing but login, you can get a free level 80 every 8 months (6 if you use a scroll). In reality, it goes even faster if you actually play the character. Personally, I think trying out new characters gives a lot more variety to the game.

Traits have completely changed too, so you’ll probably want to get those set up.

I’m starting a new Character. Just realized that my account is in Jades Quarry (World) and of course it’s full so I will need to transfer to be able to play with him. I don’t have ANY gems to do the transfer. What are my options? Anything that won’t cost money?

You can delete all characters and transfer at no cost. Your bank and all contents will transfer with you. (Note soul-bound items will be unusable, of course.)

You can play all parts of the game together without transferring, except World vs. World. Just party up, and choose the ‘Join in (Map X)’ option from the party character menu.

Good luck.

Too late for ascended crafting before the rebalance. I almost have a complete leather set and halfway done the ascended heavy set.

Never, ever delete old characters since you’ll get really good birthday gifts. I got an electro blue before prices crashed and a blacklight so far.