Guild Wars 2

Now that specializations have replaced the old trait system, and we’ve had a few days to play with it, I look to the new system with awe and inspiration for what might be in store for it in the future.

We already know that Elite Specializations are going to be a thing. This new system begs to be expanded upon, and that concept is very exciting to me.

I’d like to see future specializations explore the world of Tyria, and not just be simple customizations to the classes for the sake of having more fiddly bits. No, I’m talking about, as one example, racial specializations. PvE only, if need be, but that’s just one idea.

Let’s take Norn as an example: we could get a Norn spec or a Sons of Svanir spec. We could have a “fighting the corruption” spec themed after each of the dragons! Anti-Icebrood, -Branded, or even -Mordrem specs. Hell, we could simplify it and have a single spec for all the corrupted!

These are just a few of many possible ideas for the future specializations out there begging to be made!

So, I’ll close this with a question: What kind of specialization would you like to see?

Honestly, the idea that there could be a specialization line each for Inquest/Flame Legion/Nightmare Court/Bandit/Sons of Svanir sounds like a fun one. Roleplayers would have a field day with this. But with the current specialization system, it’s not going to happen.

The specialization system is entirely class based, and those factions are race based. So if there was a specialization for “Inquest”, for example, chances would be very high that no matter what ANet would put in there, it would synergize very well with class A’s standard trait lines and not at all with class B’s. That would be like giving access to the same weapon (with the same skills and everything!) to all classes at the same time, ignoring the existing class mechanics completely.

There are additional smaller things that get in the way, too, for example the fact that Sons of Svanir would be inaccessible to all female characters.

I would actually like more racial stuff in GW2, but I think specializations are the wrong place for it Sorry

Why would Sons of Svanir be inaccessible to female characters?

I understand your point about racial specializations, it’s too generic to fit well with each class. In that case, what else could they do for new specializations going forward? The only thing that comes to mind is variations of the class, perhaps fitting the theme of new content. That doesn’t seem particularly inventive with the system that could have the potential to do so much more.

Is there something you’d like to see?

Class variations is exactly what specializations were designed to be

The racial stuff doesn’t really fit with maserties either, although I could see it there more easily. Finish training up the nightmare court mastery line to get access to special titles, skins and possibly even skills (on the level of racial skills, so without upsetting class balance).

As for the sons of svanir, look into their history some more It’s an all-male cult. That’s their thing.