Guild Wars 2

Preface: This is in no way comparing the two to determine which is ‘better’.

I think some time before release the Arenanet said you’re likely able to achieve more build diversity in GW2 than GW1. Then betas came around, the reaction to this was a resounding ‘no’. People voiced opinions about restrictive skillset due to skills being assigned to specific weapons, etc.

Personally, I think what Arenanet said held true, but IMO: it is less to do with the actual skills and somewhat more to do with the runes and traits. Clearly, the permutations for what you can do with only the skill bar is limited in comparison to GW1, but on the surface, this is accounted for already by having different traits. The problem here is, often the traits are what determine what skill you’re likely to bring, and thus we are back at square 1: You pick traits, and your skill choice gets limited.

Here is where runes come in, IMO, and its also something a lot of people see differently. I’m inclined to say most people would pick runes to complement their builds, and there is nothing wrong with that. Lately however, I started picking a build to accompany my runes, and to a lesser extent, my armor.

The outcome is actually very different. My method (in this case, my skillbar and traits) might remain the same, but the way I approach a situation in battle, or my key idea changes.

WvW is a great theatre to try this.

I enjoy the role of playing a medic; but we don’t have dedicated healers in this game. What about dedicated ‘rezzers’? I take 6 Runes of Mercy and spec some traits on my Guardian I rarely ever see other people take: Resolute Healer. The experience is very rewarding.

On my necromancer, I’ve stacked +chill duration to create a nightmare that can chill an groups of opponents indefinitely. You’re less likely to be able to do this if you simply govern your build creation via skills and traits, or the mentality of just dps or bunker.

Arenanet created a very diverse and robust system of runes which was not as well represented in GW1, and I think it is too easily dismissed in the process of build creation. IMO, theres definitely a lot of diversity in builds in GW2.

There’s a lot of diversity, yes, and it will show if a dedicated esports community grows, but it can’t grow without the features it currently lacks—and that arenanet employees have openly admitted are missing in the iceberg post.

So that’s the problem right now. And sure, there will always be FotM builds, but organized teams will devise counters fast where casual players won’t bother adapting.

Corian.4068:

There’s a lot of diversity, yes, and it will show if a dedicated esports community grows, but it can’t grow without the features it currently lacks—and that arenanet employees have openly admitted are missing in the iceberg post.

So that’s the problem right now. And sure, there will always be FotM builds, but organized teams will devise counters fast where casual players won’t bother adapting.

I actually think the game is unfinished/not ready TBH, but thats a discussion for another day. Give it time I guess.

On a side note, I’m thinking of making a Flame Legion guild, pass out some mandatory runes of the Flame Legion, and setting everyone alight in WvW or sPvP. Lol.

GW1 has great build system. There are a lot of viable build for EACH class. End skill parameters separation for PvP and PvE made this system even more great.
As for GW2… build system is far from GW1. Looks like dergradation. Some classes have only 2-3 viable builds.

The weapon bound skill system makes that you can only customise the last 5 skills. Then there is the point of 1 dedicated healing skill and 1 elite. The elites in this game are not really impressive, i mean they look cool ’n stuff but in GW1 you often saw builds centred aroudn the Elites. You dont see this anymore they have to long coodowns for that.

I hope they will add different skills to weapon sets so we get to have some more customization.

Several problems for real world diversify.

1) Runes + traits are fixed for time x. This means u can’t switch/change them quickly, while u also have to pay if u actually do.

2) No ability to save builds, makes the actual build “building” painfully.

3) Most traits + skills result in some straight forward designed synergy, they have very low “random” synergy. What i mean is the “hey what happens if i combine x + y + z” moment in GW1.

4) Combo fields….. no comment

5) Runes are destroyed on change, requiring u to handle multiple weapon and armor sets, without a system to actually “handle” them.

6) Very limited “working” and “different” builds, compared to GW1. GW2 “builds” are often just minor variations and play very similar to each other.

From my experience every class has like 4-6 “working” builds and a dozen variations. Thats still more than with a old skilltree system, but is a fraction of what GW1 had.

Its actually surprising that the WoW MOP skill-system change, looks less restricting than what GW2 has?