Guild Wars 2

The latest patch just goes to show how little Anet seems to care about its playerbase. It almost feels like contempt of us.

What I am referring to is the extraordinarily sloppy way in which this year’s Halloween events have been delivered.

Magister Tassi refers to the player character’s participation in Dragon Bash. Obviously, there was no Dragon Bash this year. Then there are the Mad Memoires NPCs in Lion’s Arch… but nowhere else.

New Player Experience? Well, there is a great experience for new players – starting an in game scavenger hunt that they then have to be told in chat is actually a scrappy remnant of an old event. Aka – Anet doesn’t clean up after itself very well.

This comes on top of the complete ignorance of the playerbase regarding MANY other much-complained about topics, including but not limited to:

Trait requirements that are impossible to achieve because they’re in WvWvW or are on timegated events which not everyone has the ability to complete.
The entire trait unlocking system overall, and level 80s out there with 3 or sometimes less traits unlocked.
The Megaserver which discriminates against guilds.
The way Ascended was implemented which discriminates against those with alts. In fact, having alts is a major detriment to a player in many ways in GW2.
The absolute balls-up of the storyline, and the disjointed, often confusing, way the dialogues now play out.
The persistent pandering to China, and giving two-finger salutes to the existing player base. The new outfit with the sedge (conical) hat being just the latest example.

All these completely ignored and barely answered criticisms have left me in the state that I don’t want to log in anymore either because I feel it is futile to hope for improvement… or because I am actually so angry at the utter contempt for myself and my fellow players that it makes me not want to support the game anymore.

GW2 is still a flagship MMO, but the Captain is drunk, the helmsman jumped overboard, and it seems that all we have left is Gaile Gray (all credit to her) running around trying to plug the leaks in the hull.

In regards to Halloween update :

I agree, it was done a little sloppy. But
A : Im enjoying it, and im sure others are too, and
B : You are not paying for it. So your getting nothing for nothing, get it?

Trait requirements :
This is incentives for people to get back into the world, I was tired of empty maps, even AFTER Megaserver got launch it was still a problem.
So please stop complaining and just BUY the traits with GOLD if you REALLY are struggling, you have NO grounds to complain about it unless you did not have the option to buy it for relatively little in game gold.

The Megaserver which discriminates against guilds ? WUT?
This ALMOST makes me dismiss you as a troll, but I will humour you, elaborate?

Ascended implementation :
Not sure how this is discriminating to alts? Elaborate?

Storyline :

A VERY valid point, your first one in your whole post, this is DEFINITELY a cause for concern and I agree needs to be fixed NOW.

Pandering to China :
Elaborate?

So I personally just think your post is a rant, but as said, I will humour you.
VALIDATE your concerns, don’t just name them.

Novuake.2691:

In regards to Halloween update :

I agree, it was done a little sloppy. But
A : Im enjoying it, and im sure others are too, and
B : You are not paying for it. So your getting nothing for nothing, get it?

Trait requirements :
This is incentives for people to get back into the world, I was tired of empty maps, even AFTER Megaserver got launch it was still a problem.
So please stop complaining and just BUY the traits with GOLD if you REALLY are struggling, you have NO grounds to complain about it unless you did not have the option to buy it for relatively little in game gold.

The Megaserver which discriminates against guilds ? WUT?
This ALMOST makes me dismiss you as a troll, but I will humour you, elaborate?

Ascended implementation :
Not sure how this is discriminating to alts? Elaborate?

Storyline :

A VERY valid point, your first one in your whole post, this is DEFINITELY a cause for concern and I agree needs to be fixed NOW.

Pandering to China :
Elaborate?

So I personally just think your post is a rant, but as said, I will humour you.
VALIDATE your concerns, don’t just name them.

Sure thing.

We have been going on and on about many of the trait requirements such as Overgrown Grub and befriending Ogres in WvWvW, plus the Obsidian Sanctum trait unlocks being unfeasible for many players. The main WvWvW ones are near impossible when the maps rotate so infrequently, and getting a group large enough to take on Overgrown Grub in particular is totally impossible. In other cases, such as Risen Priest of Balthazar and temple of Grenth, many people are locked out of doing them since you have to be there are a very specific time. It is very easy to be there when a. not enough players are around to do them or b. they’re already done and have a long time gate before reset.

Megaserver? Try getting a large guild group together and get them into the same shard. There is a guild on TC which used to run an in-character crusade once a week, which is now extremely difficult to keep together since they keep losing characters in different shards. The former issue is often causing hostility when organised world boss guilds are trying to coordinate for Wurm/Teakettle etc. Read the Megaserver thread for more information.

Ascended: I have 14 characters. Imagine how long it would take and how much it would cost for me to gather enough laurels and materials to equip them all with Ascended. Years.

China pandermonkeying: The decorations on the Zephyr Sanctum changed significantly to pander to Chinese tastes. In fact the supposedly super-rare appearance of the ZS coming into the game JUST AFTER GW2 launched in China was… suspicious. Marjorys greatsword. The sedge hat. Removal of skulls on Tamini death markers. And http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mini_Monkey_King which has NO PLACE AT ALL in GW2 lore.

Oh, and I’m going to throw in the SAB being shut forever despite being enormously popular, locked mini-games and unnecessary changes to the starter zones, and hearts changed unnecessarily.

GuzziHero.2467:

China pandermonkeying: The decorations on the Zephyr Sanctum changed significantly to pander to Chinese tastes. In fact the supposedly super-rare appearance of the ZS coming into the game JUST AFTER GW2 launched in China was… suspicious. Marjorys greatsword. The sedge hat. Removal of skulls on Tamini death markers. And http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mini_Monkey_King which has NO PLACE AT ALL in GW2 lore.

Whoa.

A nodachi is not pandering to a Chinese audience. That’s a Japanese sword. It’s like saying including a cowboy hat is pandering to British players.

(If cowboys invaded Britain in WW2 and beheaded a bunch of people with their hats, which I’m pretty sure didn’t happen, but if it did I apologize for historical insensitivity)

Pandaman.4758:

Whoa.

A nodachi is not pandering to a Chinese audience. That’s a Japanese sword. It’s like saying including a cowboy hat is pandering to British players.

(If cowboys invaded Britain in WW2 and beheaded a bunch of people with their hats, which I’m pretty sure didn’t happen, but if it did I apologize for historical insensitivity)

Fun fact: The Chinese used curved swords too. Say hello to the Miao Dao (Sprout Blade)

Traits :
Again, buy them if you are having a hard time getting them.
Although the only one that I have had trouble with has been Lyssa, WvW traits being a bit of luck and random timing needed though.

Megaserver :

Sure it makes for problematic joining, but is this any different than the 150-250 player cap per map before starting OF (not sure how much it is these days). At least with the megaserver sharding your own map seems to be easy enough with 80+ guildies. This was not possible at all pre-megaserver.

Ascended :
Just like Leges, its not supposed to be easy to get. Its all about vanity.
ANY other MMO has similar vanity farms that make no sense.
If you don’t like farming so much then don’t bother with Ascended armor other than on your main 1 or 2 chars as they barely provide a stat bonus(Weapons are worth getting obviously).

China :

The ZS arrival seemed timely with the current world events, especially after the Drytop storyline slotted the Zepherites into the Mordremoth storyline so well.
I would say that dissolves any "suspicious"ness behind the Chinese launch in connection with the ZS.
Also, there are MANY things in game that are vanity related that are not connected to GW lore at all. I personally have a pet peeve to the sunglasses you can buy in game. Do you have a problem with all of them?

Mini games locking is dumb unless somehow tied to the ZS (and Aspect Sprint) or similar story involvement.
SAB is not confirmed to be shut down at all. We could still get it again.
Starting zone changes were justified by the devs and I agree with them that there needed to be SOME leveling changes made in SOME of the starting areas, I just wished they made more changes to the starting areas they have not touched, ESPECIALLY Wayfarer.

GuzziHero.2467:

Pandaman.4758:

Whoa.

A nodachi is not pandering to a Chinese audience. That’s a Japanese sword. It’s like saying including a cowboy hat is pandering to British players.

(If cowboys invaded Britain in WW2 and beheaded a bunch of people with their hats, which I’m pretty sure didn’t happen, but if it did I apologize for historical insensitivity)

Fun fact: The Chinese used curved swords too. Say hello to the Miao Dao (Sprout Blade)

… my god, man. It’s a nodachi. You’d have to be blind not to recognize the design as anything other than a nodachi. You couldn’t have done worse if you showed me an image of a saber and tried to tell me it’s a katana.

Pandaman.4758:

GuzziHero.2467:

Pandaman.4758:

Whoa.

A nodachi is not pandering to a Chinese audience. That’s a Japanese sword. It’s like saying including a cowboy hat is pandering to British players.

(If cowboys invaded Britain in WW2 and beheaded a bunch of people with their hats, which I’m pretty sure didn’t happen, but if it did I apologize for historical insensitivity)

Fun fact: The Chinese used curved swords too. Say hello to the Miao Dao (Sprout Blade)

… my god, man. It’s a nodachi. You’d have to be blind not to recognize the design as anything other than a nodachi. You couldn’t have done worse if you showed me an image of a saber and tried to tell me it’s a katana.

Sorry I have to agree with Pandaman here. I’m not an expert but do enjoy reading about some Japanese history and looking at some of the weaponry. The Belinda Greatsword is in my opinion a Nodachi. You could argue that the grip is not long enough (true Nodachi grips are quite long) and thus it is just a large Katana but I’d still argue that it’s Japanese and not Chinese.

Pandaman.4758:

… my god, man. It’s a nodachi. You’d have to be blind not to recognize the design as anything other than a nodachi. You couldn’t have done worse if you showed me an image of a saber and tried to tell me it’s a katana.

Except it is recognised as a Wushu sword.

Hint: the .cn in the top right might give the game away I’m not trying to make you look foolish by the way. The sword in the picture really IS a Chinese blade. Manufacturing techniques likely differed from the Japanese high-carbon steel construction.

However, since the sword is absolutely awesome, I can happily retract that and throw in Ancestral Outfit. Dragon themed clothing… in a world which is plagued by dragons? But again, the outfit is awesome, so give or take this one.

Either way, all in all this thread is about the contempt towards criticism and fixing problems which Anet seems to show.

GuzziHero.2467:

Pandaman.4758:

… my god, man. It’s a nodachi. You’d have to be blind not to recognize the design as anything other than a nodachi. You couldn’t have done worse if you showed me an image of a saber and tried to tell me it’s a katana.

Except it is recognised as a Wushu sword.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTRWG61jgxE

Hint: the .cn in the top right might give the game away I’m not trying to make you look foolish by the way. The sword in the picture really IS a Chinese blade. Manufacturing techniques likely differed from the Japanese high-carbon steel construction.

No. The image you linked is a Miao Dao, Belinda’s sword is not a Miao Dao.

Miao Daos are straighter because their smithing technique is different, Japanese swords have the curvature because of the layering and tempering techniques that were used to compensate for the quality of their iron, which was not a concern in China.

You can also tell it’s not a Miao Dao because the end tapers differently, the scabbard is identical to every iconic Japanese sword’s scabbard and no Chinese sword scabbards, the hilt’s binding is seen only in Japanese swords. You will not find a single image of a Miao Dao that looks like Belinda’s sword, but every image of a katana or nodachi (or odachi, rather) will look exactly like Belinda’s sword.

Now if you’ll excuse me it’s dinner time here in China, so I have to eat.

Okay, the “argument” about the Greatsword is pretty stupid and useless. If you really want to get technical, it’s Marjory’s sister’s greatsword. But who cares, right? And if you want to get technical, there is no “China” or “Japan” in Tyria, so the weapon is pure Tryian. Not a Midol or Noodle-chi or whatever. But who cares, right? And if you want to get technical, most of the greatswords in GW2 bear a greater resemblance to a surfboard than any blade ever use in real life. But who cares, right?

None of your “obvious” observations matter to the topic at hand, which is things that make GuzziHero demoralized and angry. I am with him on several points, though for different reasons.

I despise the Megaserver, though I am in a Guild that is too small to be able to afford to do Guild Events. My beef is the incredible overpopulation in most areas that cause lag and super-easy boss takedowns. I never feel challenged anymore, and never feel as if my contribution is noticed.

I have only one Profession not at 80 yet, and that character is on permanent hold until the Personal Story is repaired. And I’m willing to give trait unlocks a try, though after 7 other trips without it, it’s a bit annoying to have to do the extra work now. (I might turn out to appreciate that it gives me some goals to shoot for – we’ll see). But please don’t go on about “just buy them”. A great majority of the player base does not have that kind of gold to spend, especially new players.

I don’t, however, believe Chinese issues change the game on Western servers. We’re completely separate, right? They have different armors and even different storylines, and probably a whole lot more. In GW1 the rumor was that they stopped including the mini Panda because it insulted the Chinese in some way. Yet they have it here in GW2. So I don’t buy all of this “It’s China’s fault” stuff either. The only reason we’re seeing the new Chinese witches outfit and some other Chinese themed stuff if obviously that they already have it implemented in China! It’s easier for them to share with us than to make something new. I bet China gets “new” Outfits and armors added to their game that have been with us in the West since day one.

“A great majority of the player base does not have that kind of gold to spend, especially new players.”

In my experience, by reaching level 80 you have a good 20+Gold laying around from just exploring and doing the odd story dungeon here and there, this is enough for earlier cheaper traits, more expensive ones can still be bought pretty easily.

Your experience may differ.

Novuake.2691:

In regards to Halloween update :

I agree, it was done a little sloppy. But
A : Im enjoying it, and im sure others are too, and
B : You are not paying for it. So your getting nothing for nothing, get it?

I’ve seen a few comments around saying that content is free, and while I’m sure many of us don’t use the cash shop at all, I have many guild-mates who do.

It IS being paid for by players.

I agree with most of your points. Guild Wars 2 is a complete mess at the moment imo. But There’s no point in discussing it on the forums. As you can see by your replies thus far, Anet fanboys jump, fangs and claws at the ready at the simplest of criticisms. If you don’t enjoy the game, apparently, you’re expected to just shut up and leave. Criticism of any kind is apparently frowned upon, because I guess GW2 is a perfect game, amirite?

There’s a reason many people, like myself, don’t bother to post on the forums very often, if at all. Fanboys are easily kitten when you dare point out their game’s flaws.

Svarty.8019:

Novuake.2691:

In regards to Halloween update :

I agree, it was done a little sloppy. But
A : Im enjoying it, and im sure others are too, and
B : You are not paying for it. So your getting nothing for nothing, get it?

I’ve seen a few comments around saying that content is free, and while I’m sure many of us don’t use the cash shop at all, I have many guild-mates who do.

It IS being paid for by players.

That remains there choice, not to mention if you are using the Gem Store, then first off, you are spending money on the item you are getting, NOT the living story or festivals.
There is no “You get a nice outfit + a promise of decent new content in the near future”.
You are just buying a “new outfit” or whatever.

Second, I would MUCH rather have GOOD living world story updates with decent new areas than a unique festival each year. Since I am sure Anet has limited resources, I can see why they skimped on Halloween.

As a side note, I do however feel like they have not bee doing much since Dragons Reach Part 2. The Feature pack was disappointing to say the least, so I am hoping that all of the time since then was poured into GREAT upcoming LW updates.

Keitaro Dragonheart.9047:

I agree with most of your points. Guild Wars 2 is a complete mess at the moment imo. But There’s no point in discussing it on the forums. As you can see by your replies thus far, Anet fanboys jump, fangs and claws at the ready at the simplest of criticisms. If you don’t enjoy the game, apparently, you’re expected to just shut up and leave. Criticism of any kind is apparently frowned upon, because I guess GW2 is a perfect game, amirite?

There’s a reason many people, like myself, don’t bother to post on the forums very often, if at all. Fanboys are easily kitten when you dare point out their game’s flaws.

There definitely are those people.

But have I not been giving legitimate explanation for every point I do not agree with?
Being VAGUE is not really the way to do anything, everyone is giving vague complaints and vague things they don’t like.
No one that are venting in frustration about the things they don’t like can provide a reliable suggestion or a coherent reason WHY they don’t like it.

Am I being outrageous? Do I seem fan boyish and offended by the criticism of the game?

I sure hope not.

Hamfast.8719:

Okay, the “argument” about the Greatsword is pretty stupid and useless.

If you list a bunch of things as examples of something to support an argument you make and one of them is factually wrong, would you really consider it stupid and useless when someone points it out? I’m not saying it disproves his point, I’m just saying that one example is wrong because a) it’s from the wrong culture and b) it’s also from a culture that was recently (in historical terms) at war with the culture it’s supposedly trying to appeal to and still gets a fair bit of guff in period dramas.

Even if Guzzi refuses to accept it, the fact is every Chinese person will recognize the sword as Japanese; at best it will be as appealing to them as a European broadsword, at worst it’s going to be that sword the bad guys use to behead villagers with.

If you really want to get technical, it’s Marjory’s sister’s greatsword.

Which is why I’ve been calling it Belinda’s sword.

None of your “obvious” observations matter to the topic at hand, which is things that make GuzziHero demoralized and angry. I am with him on several points, though for different reasons.

Which is fair, I’m not trying to argue for or against his other points, I agree with some and disagree with others, but I’m not going to try to dissuade him from his opinions, because I haven’t experienced the game like he has.

I have not one jot of Chinese ancestry, but I’m really starting to get fed up with the continual complaints about how ArenaNet is “pandering to China” in some way or form. Racism is an ugly word, but some of the complaints I’ve been seeing have an unpleasant tinge of “how dare those masses of grubby, money-obsessed Chinese muck about with our game!” Sure, some Chinese game companies have a well-deserved bad reputation for trying to get money out of their customers in any way possible, but I don’t like the way that this is spilling over to the general Chinese player-base, a lot of whom I daresay don’t like that sort of thing any better than Westerners do. So (speaking generally to ***everyone***) cut out the continual China-bashing here and everywhere else. It’s ugly and unbecoming.

joe.7684:

I have not one jot of Chinese ancestry, but I’m really starting to get fed up with the continual complaints about how ArenaNet is “pandering to China” in some way or form. Racism is an ugly word, but some of the complaints I’ve been seeing have an unpleasant tinge of “how dare those masses of grubby, money-obsessed Chinese muck about with our game!” Sure, some Chinese game companies have a well-deserved bad reputation for trying to get money out of their customers in any way possible, but I don’t like the way that this is spilling over to the general Chinese player-base, a lot of whom I daresay don’t like that sort of thing any better than Westerners do. So (speaking generally to ***everyone***) cut out the continual China-bashing here and everywhere else. It’s ugly and unbecoming.

Amen.

I left a few months ago to dig into my console backlog that GW2 caused, and honestly I don’t find myself missing GW2 like I thought I would. After the sheer amount of time I sunk into this game, it was hard for me to drop it because it felt like I was abandoning something I was very invested in. It took the guild I was in disbanding due to most members increasing IRL commitments for me to actually pull the trigger on quitting. I’m honestly not surprised that after randomly coming back to the forums just to see what’s up that I found a thread like this.

After a little more forum perusing, it sure doesn’t look like much has changed: nothing new or exciting for WvW, sPVP is still 5v5 conquest with virtually no red posts in the forums, etc, etc.

Seeing the game still in this state certainly doesn’t have me regretting my decision. Props to those of you who are still here (especially if you’ve been here all the way through GW1 and GW2 launch), you’re a far more loyal fan than me.

I wanted the devs to give me a reason to stay, sad to see it still hasn’t happened.

Novuake.2691:

In regards to Halloween update :

I agree, it was done a little sloppy. But
A : Im enjoying it, and im sure others are too, and
B : You are not paying for it. So your getting nothing for nothing, get it?

Trait requirements :
This is incentives for people to get back into the world, I was tired of empty maps, even AFTER Megaserver got launch it was still a problem.
So please stop complaining and just BUY the traits with GOLD if you REALLY are struggling, you have NO grounds to complain about it unless you did not have the option to buy it for relatively little in game gold.

The Megaserver which discriminates against guilds ? WUT?
This ALMOST makes me dismiss you as a troll, but I will humour you, elaborate?

Ascended implementation :
Not sure how this is discriminating to alts? Elaborate?

Storyline :

A VERY valid point, your first one in your whole post, this is DEFINITELY a cause for concern and I agree needs to be fixed NOW.

Pandering to China :
Elaborate?

So I personally just think your post is a rant, but as said, I will humour you.
VALIDATE your concerns, don’t just name them.

Are you even playing the same game? The trait change was one of the worst ideas I’ve ever seen in an MMO.

LOL, Anet is not pandering to Chinese. Yes there are some oriental things being introduced but if Anet really wanted to pander to Chinese the following would happen:

- We wouldn’t be going to fight Mordy, we would be going to go fight the water dragon Bubbles along side the monkey king modeled after Jet Li and Impress Jade casted by Zhang Ziyi WHILE we adventure to Cantha as a nod to Chinese folk tail, all being directed by John Woo
- Dungeons wouldn’t be such an easy snore fest that you could literally equip full on berserker gear, stack everything in a corner, and crush everything. Dungeons were made simple and easy for the American player in mind.
- The old systems of leveling were easy for many Chinese including myself, the NPE was not designed for Chinese in mind as many oriental have functioning brains (We are good at math and science here after all)
- If Anet was pandering to China, we wouldn’t have Diminishing Return systems in the game, we like to grind things, DR does not let us do that easily.

warduke.1780:

Are you even playing the same game? The trait change was one of the worst ideas I’ve ever seen in an MMO.

I should hope so.

Tell me, do you buy or try to obtain every single trait? Even if you do not use them?
Because that is the only time I could possibly even understand why you would need to complain.

I LIKE the trait system for reasons already mentioned.

I honestly like the trait system change. It’s much more like GW1’s skill system, where you also either did particular quests to unlock the skills or bought them for skill points and gold. So, you pick out traits you want, and then find how to unlock them.

My only complaint for how it is in GW2 is the fact that certain events bug a lot, which can be a major pain for players trying to get traits they need.

Novuake.2691:

warduke.1780:

Are you even playing the same game? The trait change was one of the worst ideas I’ve ever seen in an MMO.

I should hope so.

Tell me, do you buy or try to obtain every single trait? Even if you do not use them?
Because that is the only time I could possibly even understand why you would need to complain.

I LIKE the trait system for reasons already mentioned.

I have a LOT of characters and it’s very expensive to gear up alts then unlock all their traits too. The trait change (amongst others) was a kick in the teeth to all those who prefer to have many alts rather than one or two main characters.

Of course, people like you probably can’t see this, because you think everything Anet does is amazing. They should add a /worship emote for you.

Novuake.2691:

So please stop complaining and just BUY the traits with GOLD if you REALLY are struggling, you have NO grounds to complain about it unless you did not have the option to buy it for relatively little in game gold.

You forgot about the skill point costs.

RoseofGilead.8907:

I honestly like the trait system change. It’s much more like GW1’s trait system, where you also either did particular quests to unlock the traits or bought them for skill points and gold. So, you pick out traits you want, and then find how to unlock them.

My only complaint for how it is in GW2 is the fact that certain events bug a lot, which can be a major pain for players trying to get traits they need.

I think that was the intention. The trait unlocking was meant to encourage exploration of all content and to provide some horizontal progression, as in the first game.

I do not think, however, that it was well-conceived for a few reasons:

Guild Wars 1’s skill capping was an actual hunt for sidegrades (skills), but Guild Wars 2’s is a hunt for dull passive upgrades.

Skill hunting allows one to drastically change their playstyle (but not necessarily improve it) as a reward. Trait hunting does not.

As a feature launched two years after the game, it was particularly jarring. Players have seen and used the alternative and it is much less convenient than the former system.

Unlock objectives are frequently in the wrong level range or are attached to ridiculous objectives (such as the Overgrown Grub or Obsidian Sanctum).

warduke.1780:

Novuake.2691:

warduke.1780:

Are you even playing the same game? The trait change was one of the worst ideas I’ve ever seen in an MMO.

I should hope so.

Tell me, do you buy or try to obtain every single trait? Even if you do not use them?
Because that is the only time I could possibly even understand why you would need to complain.

I LIKE the trait system for reasons already mentioned.

I have a LOT of characters and it’s very expensive to gear up alts then unlock all their traits too. The trait change (amongst others) was a kick in the teeth to all those who prefer to have many alts rather than one or two main characters.

Of course, people like you probably can’t see this, because you think everything Anet does is amazing. They should add a /worship emote for you.

I have 12 different characters, all level 80 and all with their needed traits. About six of them were made after the trait system change, so I’ve experienced both systems and had no problems with either one. Getting the traits isn’t hard or even that expensive at all.

Duke Blackrose.4981:

Unlock objectives are frequently in the wrong level range or are attached to ridiculous objectives (such as the Overgrown Grub or Obsidian Sanctum).

Oh, I definitely agree with that part. Some of the traits are tied to odd and out-of-reach zones/events.

Edit: And I also agree that the fact that the change came so long after launch was jarring and strange. But I also think that people just don’t handle sudden changes that well and like to complain. So, yeah. :\

RoseofGilead.8907:

Duke Blackrose.4981:

Unlock objectives are frequently in the wrong level range or are attached to ridiculous objectives (such as the Overgrown Grub or Obsidian Sanctum).

Oh, I definitely agree with that part. Some of the traits are tied to odd and out-of-reach zones/events.

Edit: And I also agree that the fact that the change came so long after launch was jarring and strange. But I also think that people just can’t handle change that easily and like to complain. So, yeah. :\

How is it so unobtainable when you can just buy it if you are just purely unlucky or unskilled enough to do the requirement?

Difficulty in content is NOT a bad thing.

Novuake.2691:

How is it so unobtainable when you can just buy it if you are just purely unlucky or unskilled enough to do the requirement?

Difficulty in content is NOT a bad thing.

I didn’t say they were unobtainable . . .

But finishing the obsidian sanctum JP for a Minor Trait (the first one in a trait line, too) is a bit out-there.

warduke.1780:

Novuake.2691:

warduke.1780:

Are you even playing the same game? The trait change was one of the worst ideas I’ve ever seen in an MMO.

I should hope so.

Tell me, do you buy or try to obtain every single trait? Even if you do not use them?
Because that is the only time I could possibly even understand why you would need to complain.

I LIKE the trait system for reasons already mentioned.

I have a LOT of characters and it’s very expensive to gear up alts then unlock all their traits too. The trait change (amongst others) was a kick in the teeth to all those who prefer to have many alts rather than one or two main characters.

Of course, people like you probably can’t see this, because you think everything Anet does is amazing. They should add a /worship emote for you.

As mentioned previously, i provide REASONING instead of abstract complaints behind my opinions, that makes me the exact opposite of a “worshipper”.

“unlock all their traits too.”
WHY are you unlocking ALL of them? You will NEVER use all of them.

I will say it again, you are too used to games being easy, go play Dark Souls or old school WoW, they have things that are HARD to do, this is a minor inconvenience at best which promotes people to PLAY the game instead of just strolling through and getting everything just dropped in your lap.

FYI, I have 9 chars. I like my alts A LOT.

RoseofGilead.8907:

I didn’t say they were unobtainable . . .

But finishing the obsidian sanctum JP for a Minor Trait (the first one in a trait line, too) is a bit out-there.

Sorry, was paraphrasing a bit there.

Its a bit out there, sure, but that same trait costs almost nothing.
So its OUT OF PLACE sure.

Everyone just seems to be ripping this WAY out of proportion.
As one guy stated, and I am paraphrasing again, “the worst thing to happen to any MMO”…

EDIT : warduke.1780 said it, quote : “The trait change was one of the worst ideas I’ve ever seen in an MMO.”

Which is completely outrageous. My worst thing in an MMO is when WoW completely removed the 20+ man raids, which they brought back recently I believe(would not know, have not played WoW in forever).

Novuake.2691:

How is it so unobtainable when you can just buy it if you are just purely unlucky or unskilled enough to do the requirement?
Difficulty in content is NOT a bad thing.

Because the idea behind it was to either earn them or to pay for them – a lot of people have troubles earning them for above reasons – and that shouldn’t be. Also one event seems to be bugged (Defeat the devourer Queen). I have got 55 traits on my newest character unlocked without buying a single one but I wouldn’t have made it without extern websites and without enough random people who were around – someone new to this game will have real troubles to try to earn the traits so I guess they won’t bother and if they don’t they won’t enjoy the “endgames” like pvp, wvw, dungeons, fractals and even the halloween event. Anyway builds change and I for one am not a real fan of cookie cutter builds, they may be helpful at the start but I’m usually using a slightly different build, so “just buy the ones you need” doesn’t really make sense.

Edit: punctuation

Novuake.2691:

warduke.1780:

Novuake.2691:

warduke.1780:

Are you even playing the same game? The trait change was one of the worst ideas I’ve ever seen in an MMO.

I should hope so.

Tell me, do you buy or try to obtain every single trait? Even if you do not use them?
Because that is the only time I could possibly even understand why you would need to complain.

I LIKE the trait system for reasons already mentioned.

I have a LOT of characters and it’s very expensive to gear up alts then unlock all their traits too. The trait change (amongst others) was a kick in the teeth to all those who prefer to have many alts rather than one or two main characters.

Of course, people like you probably can’t see this, because you think everything Anet does is amazing. They should add a /worship emote for you.

As mentioned previously, i provide REASONING instead of abstract complaints behind my opinions, that makes me the exact opposite of a “worshipper”.

“unlock all their traits too.”
WHY are you unlocking ALL of them? You will NEVER use all of them.

I will say it again, you are too used to games being easy, go play Dark Souls or old school WoW, they have things that are HARD to do, this is a minor inconvenience at best which promotes people to PLAY the game instead of just strolling through and getting everything just dropped in your lap.

FYI, I have 9 chars. I like my alts A LOT.

You had to, “PLAY the game,” to get your traits before the change. The change doesn’t mandate playing the game any more than was the case before, now it just mandates specific content to be played rather than playing those aspects you enjoy.

Just out of curiosity, if your position is based purely on reason, what led you to the belief that you know, in advance, whether or not others will use given traits ? I know that I have used every single trait on my main character. I don’t deny that some got used only once or twice, but all have been used.

Ashen.2907:

You had to, “PLAY the game,” to get your traits before the change. The change doesn’t mandate playing the game any more than was the case before, now it just mandates specific content to be played rather than playing those aspects you enjoy.

Just out of curiosity, if your position is based purely on reason, what led you to the belief that you know, in advance, whether or not others will use given traits ? I know that I have used every single trait on my main character. I don’t deny that some got used only once or twice, but all have been used.

And obtaining those traits on ONE character via gold or whatever requirement would be that hard?
Really?

Think I need to buy a new account just to put this in perspective again, but I am pretty sure that it REALLY is not that bad, and just like every other change that people find even the slightest bit inconvenient are just raging for the sake of raging and because they can not rush through their alts anymore.

Novuake.2691:

Think I need to buy a new account just to put this in perspective again, but I am pretty sure that it REALLY is not that bad, and just like every other change that people find even the slightest bit inconvenient are just raging for the sake of raging and because they can not rush through their alts anymore.

Why buy a new account? Just create a new character and try it.

Jana.6831:

Novuake.2691:

Think I need to buy a new account just to put this in perspective again, but I am pretty sure that it REALLY is not that bad, and just like every other change that people find even the slightest bit inconvenient are just raging for the sake of raging and because they can not rush through their alts anymore.

Why buy a new account? Just create a new character and try it.

I’m guessing because the new account won’t have access to the gold/skill points and any benefits that previously levelled characters can provide

AdaephonDelat.3890:

I’m guessing because the new account won’t have access to the gold/skill points and any benefits that previously levelled characters can provide

I’m guessing it’s because he/she doesn’t know that every character created after april 15th faces this.

AdaephonDelat.3890:

Jana.6831:

Novuake.2691:

Think I need to buy a new account just to put this in perspective again, but I am pretty sure that it REALLY is not that bad, and just like every other change that people find even the slightest bit inconvenient are just raging for the sake of raging and because they can not rush through their alts anymore.

Why buy a new account? Just create a new character and try it.

I’m guessing because the new account won’t have access to the gold/skill points and any benefits that previously levelled characters can provide

Exactly.

I have definitely leveled new chars after the trait changes and found it completely acceptable.

A new account would obviously strip away my current gold and other resources, but would benefit from more AP rewards and stuff like that.

So the only real way to put this into complete perspective is to just get a brand spanking new account.

Jana.6831:

AdaephonDelat.3890:

I’m guessing because the new account won’t have access to the gold/skill points and any benefits that previously levelled characters can provide

I’m guessing it’s because he/she doesn’t know that every character created after april 15th faces this.

Hahaha, your rage and contempt of others is entertaining.

All of the pro and cons in ths thread aside…

I love how arenanet forum peoples hop into threads that are benign in nature but not in something like this.

When people comment on aesthetics or some gem shop item being cool or bad, or whatever, they comment in there. But when people have concerns, they steer clear. Probably because they know that people will put them on pikes, but still.

Devs are listening.

Novuake.2691:

And obtaining those traits on ONE character via gold or whatever requirement would be that hard?
Really?

Then why did you stress ONE in this post?

relax. it is just a 2-week filler while we wait for the next LS chapter… farm while you can…

Novuake.2691:

Jana.6831:

AdaephonDelat.3890:

I’m guessing because the new account won’t have access to the gold/skill points and any benefits that previously levelled characters can provide

I’m guessing it’s because he/she doesn’t know that every character created after april 15th faces this.

Hahaha, your rage and contempt of others is entertaining.

The only time I raged was when I dced after I had downed 3 enemies who were about to cap a tower. I think I said “KITTEN” quite a lot of times and that was it – I’m not a raging person, sorry.

My major issue pertains to LS: the releases we are getting can be cleared in under an hour for even the most casual of casual gamers. An hour’s worth of content each month is almost insulting, in my opinion. In attempt to try to stretch out the content, an achievement grind-fest has been implemented: wardrobe, collections, crafting, title tracks, etc… With LS 2, we’re treated to this “mid-season finale” crap. I, and I’m sure many other players, hate it. We get 5 or so quests in biweekly intervals for a little over a month and then we have to wait 3 for a new release (August 13 – Nov 4)? It’s infuriating (on top of the gem store debacle that, for me, has yet to be remedied).

How would I remedy this? For starters, “Living Story” would consist of major expansion-like patches every 3 to 6 months (for GW1 veterans, think the Sorrow’s Furnace patch). New quests, dungeons, and events would provide a source of income for players while the new gear skins would allow players to expand their wardrobe if they chose to do so. Expansive new maps (with fewer waypoints) would allow players to explore at their leisure and provide a sense of achievement since defeat would require a long trek back to where you left off (again, harkening back to GW1 with towns/outposts serving as only means of travel).

Tyria itself is rich with lore and locale that we’ve not explored: the Crystal Desert, Dragon’s Lair, Battledepths/Depths of Tyria, Ring of Fire Isles, Tarnished Coast, Woodland/Verdant Cascades, Janthir, Southern Shiverpeaks, Far Shiverpeaks, and every other area on the map that is still in it’s stylized “uncharted” sense. Add to it the continents of Elona and Cantha, the Realm of Torment, and the vast expanse of the Unending Ocean and you’ve got enough material to work with for the next 5 years (easily) at my proposed content size and release schedule. I’m sure most players would be thrilled to see the continent maps have 100% landmass explorable.

TL;DR: ANet, you’ve got more than enough material to work with. Please stop trying to wring every last drop of “content” out of these tiny releases. Slow your schedule down some, give us larger releases and show us new locales with more quests, dungeons, etc. While we’re in “x”, something can be happening in "y"— that’s how you do LS.

Jana.6831:

Novuake.2691:

And obtaining those traits on ONE character via gold or whatever requirement would be that hard?
Really?

Then why did you stress ONE in this post?

Because he refuted my point (that buying every trait for every char is pointless and a waste of time because you will never use them all), by saying his main character(which obvious is just one) has used them all…

Sors Immani.8429:

My major issue pertains to LS: the releases we are getting can be cleared in under an hour for even the most casual of casual gamers. An hour’s worth of content each month is almost insulting, in my opinion. In attempt to try to stretch out the content, an achievement grind-fest has been implemented: wardrobe, collections, crafting, title tracks, etc… With LS 2, we’re treated to this “mid-season finale” crap. I, and I’m sure many other players, hate it. We get 5 or so quests in biweekly intervals for a little over a month and then we have to wait 3 for a new release (August 13 – Nov 4)? It’s infuriating (on top of the gem store debacle that, for me, has yet to be remedied).

How would I remedy this? For starters, “Living Story” would consist of major expansion-like patches every 3 to 6 months (for GW1 veterans, think the Sorrow’s Furnace patch). New quests, dungeons, and events would provide a source of income for players while the new gear skins would allow players to expand their wardrobe if they chose to do so. Expansive new maps (with fewer waypoints) would allow players to explore at their leisure and provide a sense of achievement since defeat would require a long trek back to where you left off (again, harkening back to GW1 with towns/outposts serving as only means of travel).

Tyria itself is rich with lore and locale that we’ve not explored: the Crystal Desert, Dragon’s Lair, Battledepths/Depths of Tyria, Ring of Fire Isles, Tarnished Coast, Woodland/Verdant Cascades, Janthir, Southern Shiverpeaks, Far Shiverpeaks, and every other area on the map that is still in it’s stylized “uncharted” sense. Add to it the continents of Elona and Cantha, the Realm of Torment, and the vast expanse of the Unending Ocean and you’ve got enough material to work with for the next 5 years (easily) at my proposed content size and release schedule. I’m sure most players would be thrilled to see the continent maps have 100% landmass explorable.

TL;DR: ANet, you’ve got more than enough material to work with. Please stop trying to wring every last drop of “content” out of these tiny releases. Slow your schedule down some, give us larger releases and show us new locales with more quests, dungeons, etc. While we’re in “x”, something can be happening in "y"— that’s how you do LS.

I agree the devs could do more and would love them to do more, but you can not expect them to, or even demand they do.
Hell as you put it there is a mountain-load of content to expand on or even start from scratch.

And expect and demand seem to be the prevailing sentiment on the forum.

Novuake.2691:

Because he refuted my point (that buying every trait for every char is pointless and a waste of time because you will never use them all), by saying his main character(which obvious is just one) has used them all…

I think you twisted the meaning of his words: There’s no way anyone knows which traits one is going to use and for most people it also isn’t clear who their main character will be. So saying that one has only to buy 15 traits is nonsense, even if not all will be used – but there’s no way to determine which ones that will be.