Guild Wars 2

My gf and I logged in to the game yesterday and noticed that the trait system seems to be revamped as ‘Build’, with a new system for setting specialisations and all that. There also seemed to be a training screen too.

Though I haven’t had chance to play the game intensely in the last couple of weeks, I have kept an eye on developements. Though I’ve watched some videos about specialisation skills for some characters, I didn’t realise that the whole trait system would change like it is.

The new system isn’t as obvious as the old system. I suspect ANet have forfeited ease of use for a more adaptable system. I can see why they have done that. But I think they need some tutorials of how it all works.

So does anyone have any idea how this new system works? I’m not sure if you can post youtube links in the forum. But any good video would be great to see.

Thanks in advance friends.

Did you read the specialization blog post by Jon Peters from a few weeks back? It will give you an idea of how the new system works. It actually is very streamlined and I suspect a good bit easier to use once you’ve gotten used to it.

If you’re wondering how to unlock your traits and skills, there’s a 2nd post to the series that explains just that.

Anything beyond the scope of those two posts, feel free to ask again for specifics, it’s pretty hard to summarize without knowing what you figured out and what you are still fighting with.

Read the patch notes. It’s all there if you can’t handle it by pressing buttons in the game. They went as far as give you automatically a fairly similar build to what you had…

The Build Tab
Upon logging in, you will see that the Skills and Traits section of your Hero panel is now gone. We’ve replaced this with an entirely new Build tab that allows you to view all of your skills and traits in one convenient location. To access the Build tab, open your Hero panel and select the second tab from the top of the far left. Additionally, inside the Build tab there are three larger slots with filled-in or grayed-out backgrounds—these are your specialization slots.
Specializations
Instead of investing trait points across varying trait lines, you now select up to three different specializations depending on your level. Each specialization offers a variety of traits for you to choose from that give you passive abilities that enhance the way you play. By default, you’re given access to a base set of specializations known as core specializations, which you equip by clicking on the left-hand arrow of a specialization slot. Specialization slots unlock at levels 21, 45, and 71. We’ve taken into account the skills and traits that you had currently selected on your character and made an effort to unlock and equip a build similar to what you had been running prior to this release.
Specializations and trait choices are game mode specific. You may select different specialization lines and associated traits in PvE, WvW, and PvP.
The Training Tab
Excluding racial skills, all nonweapon skills (heal, utility, and elite) that appear on the right half of your skill bar—as well as your traits—are now locked inside the new Training tab. To unlock these skills and traits, open up your Hero panel, go to the Training tab, then select a track under Core Skills or Core Specializations. In order to train, you will need to spend hero points (previously skill points) in a selected track. Hero points are earned by leveling up or by completing hero challenges (previously skill challenges) throughout the world. The Training tab is locked until your character reaches level 11. In order to make this change, Antitoxin Spray has been removed from the game.
Core Skills
Core skills are reward tracks of heal, utility, and elite skills organized by skill category. You may start unlocking skills at level 11. Elite skills are unlocked at level 31. Individual skills are locked by default but may be unlocked in the following manner:

Step 1: Open your Hero panel and go to the Training tab. The Training tab is the third tab from the top on the far left of the Hero panel.
Step 2: Select one of the tracks under Core Skills. Tracks are located on the left side of the Training tab.
Step 3: Once you select a track, it will become visible, showing you a circle with all of the selected track’s associated skills.
Step 4: In the center of the selected track, there will be a skill, a button that allows you to learn the skill, and a cost (listed in Hero points).
Step 5: To learn a skill, click on the Train button and confirm that you’re willing to pay its Hero point cost. Once completed, the next skill in the track will become available. Once all skills in a track have been purchased, the circle will be completed.
Optional: To train further into a track, select the reward level that you want and click the Train button.

Core Specializations
Core specializations are an updated version of the previous trait system. All specializations are locked until your character reaches level 21. Individual specializations and their associated skills are locked by default but may be unlocked in the following manner:

Step 1: Open your Hero panel and go to the Training tab. The Training tab is the third tab from the top on the far left of the Hero panel.
Step 2: Select one of the tracks under Core Specializations. Tracks are located on the left side of the Training tab.
Step 3: Once you select a track, it will become visible, showing you a circle with all of the selected track’s associated skills.
Step 4: In the center of the selected track, there will be a skill, a button that allows you to learn the skill, and a cost (listed in Hero points).
Step 5: To learn a skill, click on the Train button and confirm that you’re willing to pay its Hero point cost. Once completed, the next skill in the track will become available. Once all skills in a track have been purchased, the circle will be completed.
Optional: To train further into a track, select the reward level that you want and click the Train button.