Guild Wars 2

It is common opinion that under water combat is badly implemented. In most cases, in involves zergs auto attacking a mob until it dies.

Imo, underwater combat should be full on action and reflexes. It should be played at a much faster pace than ground combat.

Example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZXMteH6l8o#t=1m57s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_tllM2v1_0#t=2m49s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9SJIAD2eCc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3nPlKDuZYg

Things to do:
1) Standardize all stats while underwater – All guardians should have the same stats (power, armor, etc) while underwater. The elementalists would have different stats from a guardian, but all elementalists would all have the same stat.
Reason: Ground combat and underwater combat are very different. It will be very annoying for a player to keep switching between different sets of weapons and armors as they switch between ground and underwater combat.

2) Add a crosshair to your current target as an indicator – A crosshair will appear on your current target to show you who he/she is.
Reason: this is very important, even for ground combat. In the chaos of battle, it is very hard to tell who is your current target. Adding a crosshair will help the player quickly identify his current target.

3) Add a “boost” function – When player double taps space (jump), he goes into a fast swimming mode that drains endurance.
Reason: Fast pace combat requires a boost function to allow rapid escape and chase.

4) Greatly increase endurance regeneration – Endurance regen underwater is 5 times faster than on ground.
Reason: Fast pace combat requires a endurance regeneration to match the endurance usage. Reflexes are more important that resource management.

5) Remove weapons switching cooldown – there is no cooldown for switching weapons underwater.
Reasons: Fast pace combat requires fast weapon switching to keep up the pace.

6) Greatly increase damage dealt in underwater combat – Attacks on average should take away 25% of a unit’s health. That’s around 4-6k a hit.
Reason: While it is harder to hit a foe underwater due to movement speed, each hit packs a punch.

7) Change skill #1 on ranged weapons so it is not an auto attack – there is no auto attack spamming range attack in underwater combat. Melee attack spamming remains.
Reason: Ranged auto attack will be very annoying underwater, and does not take any reflexes.

8) 2 second invincible after hit – When you get hit, you lose control of your character but you are invincible for 2 seconds.
Reason: This gives you time to recover and regroup. The damage is too high to allow continuous damage intake.

9) Increase attack range to 2,400 – Ranged attacks can target and hit from 2,400 distance, instead of 1,200
Reason: Allows for long distance sniping.

Hhhhh still hoping for a aquatic expansion for bubble the AD with ascended water breather that looks good on charr (right now my charr don’t have one because it’s ugly) and less chaotic combat mechanics. Though i like the current pace, it’s just we are not used to water positionning, train yourself in water combat and be the next Largos’ leader.

A big one for me to fix underwater combat would be to allow characters to have an “underwater build”. My engineer, for example, is heavily specced for flamethrower and burning damage… problem is, since I can’t use the flamethrower underwater most of my major traits just don’t do anything. I could spec for grenades or bombs (which do work underwater) but I enjoy using the flamethrower so I don’t see it as a good alternative.

We already switch head armor and weapons when underwater… why not switch traits as well, and maybe even gear when we go underwater.

CHIPS.6018:

Imo, underwater combat should be full on action and reflexes. It should be played at a much faster pace than ground combat.

Faster than ground combat? You ever tried playing water polo? Or even watched it? Compare that to any sport on “ground”, ground is always faster, water is restrictive. Hell, look at volleyball, compare playing it on a court, to in a pool, you CANNOT move anywhere near as quickly in water.

inb4 “why bring RL into it?”

I think to fix underwater combat is to let players play more in the 3d let a player dodges up and down if they want and have aoe targeting set so you can use it in the Z and not just a X or Y where the ground / walls are.

Have No Faith In Me.1840:

CHIPS.6018:

Imo, underwater combat should be full on action and reflexes. It should be played at a much faster pace than ground combat.

Faster than ground combat? You ever tried playing water polo? Or even watched it? Compare that to any sport on “ground”, ground is always faster, water is restrictive. Hell, look at volleyball, compare playing it on a court, to in a pool, you CANNOT move anywhere near as quickly in water.

inb4 “why bring RL into it?”

Why talk about RL when we have magic and dragons? :P

never thought underwater combat was that bad, certainly better than any other mmo I’ve played

but I do think they need to go through all of the skills and readjust them, some professions are so far ahead in underwater combat than others.

also, perhaps add some underwater rebreathers? make them craftable. Seems like a bit of oversight by the devs on this. Or perhaps they are just wanting underwater stuff to disappear and forget about it.

Creeper.9360:

never thought underwater combat was that bad, certainly better than any other mmo I’ve played

but I do think they need to go through all of the skills and readjust them, some professions are so far ahead in underwater combat than others.

also, perhaps add some underwater rebreathers? make them craftable. Seems like a bit of oversight by the devs on this. Or perhaps they are just wanting underwater stuff to disappear and forget about it.

It is bad because no one ever talk about it. A lack of interest is a good indicator that it needs a major revolution. Just search on youtube for “GW2 underwater combat”. How many exciting fanmade videos do you see on there? Very few if any.

I tried the search function on the forums and I cannot find any topic on underwater combat. When UWC was removed from WvW, almost no one complained because no one ever do it. UWC rightnow has no “fans” in 1 on 1 or zerg vs zerg.

Then we look at PvE. I cannot name even one fight UW that’s good or memorable. That giant jellyfish in Fractal, for example, was horrible.

Compare this to the fast action, reflex based underwater combat I am purposing. Example:

locoman.1974:

A big one for me to fix underwater combat would be to allow characters to have an “underwater build”. My engineer, for example, is heavily specced for flamethrower and burning damage… problem is, since I can’t use the flamethrower underwater most of my major traits just don’t do anything. I could spec for grenades or bombs (which do work underwater) but I enjoy using the flamethrower so I don’t see it as a good alternative.

We already switch head armor and weapons when underwater… why not switch traits as well, and maybe even gear when we go underwater.

Agreed.

This and being able to hotbind dodge keys to the z axis would fix a lot of my concerns with underwater combat.

locoman.1974:

We already switch head armor and weapons when underwater… why not switch traits as well, and maybe even gear when we go underwater.

I’ve been asking for this since the Beta.

Fastest and easiest fix for this is:

1. Split traits between land and water traits.
2. Full armor change. A set of armor for land use and water use
3. More under water types of gear

These 3 things would vastly improve underwater combat.

Suddenflame.2601:

Fastest and easiest fix for this is:

1. Split traits between land and water traits.
2. Full armor change. A set of armor for land use and water use
3. More under water types of gear

These 3 things would vastly improve underwater combat.

Getting one set of ascended armor and weapon for one character already takes forever. I doubt the players would enjoy farming for a second set for underwater combat.

Standardize all stats for each profession is the best way to go.

Great example, y’know what they all have in common? The targeting reticule that ANet should have included in the first place!

Yes Conncept. In a WvW zerg fight it was nearly impossible to tell who you are targeting. And the reticule becomes more important the faster the action becomes.

I am concerned about the lack of response for this topic. Has everyone given up on UW combat? Or do you guys disagree with my suggestions but are too polite to say so? :P

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

Fastest and easiest fix for this is:

1. Split traits between land and water traits.
2. Full armor change. A set of armor for land use and water use
3. More under water types of gear

These 3 things would vastly improve underwater combat.

Getting one set of ascended armor and weapon for one character already takes forever. I doubt the players would enjoy farming for a second set for underwater combat.

Standardize all stats for each profession is the best way to go.

Dude I don’t know what game you been playing, but I was able to make 2 ascended weapons in 3 days after reaching lvl500 in crafting. When ascended armour comes out I doubt it will take much longer. The one that takes the longest amount of time to make is celestial which takes 40 days just to get all the charged crystal. So the longest time in the game would be to make Celestial Ascended armour and weapons but at max 40 days cause in that 40 days you would get enough ascended materials just to make like 10 weapons.

I think the OP is getting at making underwater combat more like an arcade style shooter like x-wing vs. tie fighter(poor example, but an example nonetheless) and i think it’s a great idea. while we wouldn’t move s fast as my example, i think moving faster, hitting harder and having different traits for underwater is a good idea. i like the targeting reticule idea as well. underwater combat as it is now isn’t working well and we have so many events underwater that if it got a face lift, it would make the game feel new again for sure.

Suddenflame.2601:

Fastest and easiest fix for this is:

1. Split traits between land and water traits.
2. Full armor change. A set of armor for land use and water use
3. More under water types of gear

These 3 things would vastly improve underwater combat.

I’ll take #2 only if they give my Charr a wetsuit he can wear underwater. I’m a diver irl…don’t judge me.

RyuDragnier.9476:

Suddenflame.2601:

Fastest and easiest fix for this is:

1. Split traits between land and water traits.
2. Full armor change. A set of armor for land use and water use
3. More under water types of gear

These 3 things would vastly improve underwater combat.

I’ll take #2 only if they give my Charr a wetsuit he can wear underwater. I’m a diver irl…don’t judge me.

You can have a wet suit! lol it seems odd that they are swimming with heavy armour.

Suddenflame.2601:

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

Fastest and easiest fix for this is:

1. Split traits between land and water traits.
2. Full armor change. A set of armor for land use and water use
3. More under water types of gear

These 3 things would vastly improve underwater combat.

Getting one set of ascended armor and weapon for one character already takes forever. I doubt the players would enjoy farming for a second set for underwater combat.

Standardize all stats for each profession is the best way to go.

Dude I don’t know what game you been playing, but I was able to make 2 ascended weapons in 3 days after reaching lvl500 in crafting. When ascended armour comes out I doubt it will take much longer. The one that takes the longest amount of time to make is celestial which takes 40 days just to get all the charged crystal. So the longest time in the game would be to make Celestial Ascended armour and weapons but at max 40 days cause in that 40 days you would get enough ascended materials just to make like 10 weapons.

This is only true if you do not have alts. This game does not need to be even more alt-unfriendly than it already is.

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

Fastest and easiest fix for this is:

1. Split traits between land and water traits.
2. Full armor change. A set of armor for land use and water use
3. More under water types of gear

These 3 things would vastly improve underwater combat.

Getting one set of ascended armor and weapon for one character already takes forever. I doubt the players would enjoy farming for a second set for underwater combat.

Standardize all stats for each profession is the best way to go.

Dude I don’t know what game you been playing, but I was able to make 2 ascended weapons in 3 days after reaching lvl500 in crafting. When ascended armour comes out I doubt it will take much longer. The one that takes the longest amount of time to make is celestial which takes 40 days just to get all the charged crystal. So the longest time in the game would be to make Celestial Ascended armour and weapons but at max 40 days cause in that 40 days you would get enough ascended materials just to make like 10 weapons.

This is only true if you do not have alts. This game does not need to be even more alt-unfriendly than it already is.

I have 10 characters and having no trouble at all.

Ok this will be my last bump. Is there anyone else out there that have any interest in improving underwater combat? If so please voice your opinion.

I hope Anet take notice in this thread. If it continue to be this quiet here, it is a good indicator that a great majority GW2 players have pretty much given up on underwater combat. That’s why they are not even posting here. Silent is the worst and clearest rejection. This shows that a major overhaul of the whole underwater combat mechanics is the only way to go.

My suggestions are tried and proven. They worked really well in those popular Gundam and Mecha games from Asia. If Anet really want to expand into the Asia market they should take a hard look at them.

Thanks for reading.

Suddenflame.2601:

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

Fastest and easiest fix for this is:

1. Split traits between land and water traits.
2. Full armor change. A set of armor for land use and water use
3. More under water types of gear

These 3 things would vastly improve underwater combat.

Getting one set of ascended armor and weapon for one character already takes forever. I doubt the players would enjoy farming for a second set for underwater combat.

Standardize all stats for each profession is the best way to go.

Dude I don’t know what game you been playing, but I was able to make 2 ascended weapons in 3 days after reaching lvl500 in crafting. When ascended armour comes out I doubt it will take much longer. The one that takes the longest amount of time to make is celestial which takes 40 days just to get all the charged crystal. So the longest time in the game would be to make Celestial Ascended armour and weapons but at max 40 days cause in that 40 days you would get enough ascended materials just to make like 10 weapons.

This is only true if you do not have alts. This game does not need to be even more alt-unfriendly than it already is.

I have 10 characters and having no trouble at all.

10 full ascended characters? If you are in my guild you would be in the minority. A very small minority.

Na, the easiest way to balance underwater battle is to remove breathers and let us drown. Hear me out, that way we have to surface to the water to breath every now and then allowing for more tactical play underwater and more reliance on skill usage

1) Make rebreathers cosmetic so you get stats and rune from your existing hat
2) Add a bit more tracking to attack skills so that players can melee better in 3d
3) Find an effective way to target and apply fields in 3d.
4) Entirely rebuild utility skills for classes that are gutted of skills underwater
5) Entirely rebuild trait lines for the new underwater utilities
6) Apply stealth, missile defense, traps, etc underwater
7) Allow change of traits, utilities, and weapons for underwater combat while on land
8) Design at least one interesting underwater boss fight
9) Change the surface state where you have no skills available

When you get hit, you lose control of your character

Yeah… no thanks. How about they keep underwater mostly how it is but with added combo fields and finishers.

Simple fix, add offhands for underwater. Thief needs stealth? Cloak and Dagger. If I can wield a spear in 1h, I can also wield a dagger.

Underwater feels unfinished, it has a lot of potential but instead of ANet slapping a “it’s ‘difficult’ now aka frustrating as hell 1hit kills” sticker on it I’d rather just keep it how it is unless it’s done right.

Remember underwater in Orr… terrible, absolutely terrible. I don’t even know if it’s still that bad, haven’t been in water other than fractals since maybe a year ago.

All I know is I’m scarred for life and don’t plan on ever returning to the deeps unless some major changes are put in.

what u want is air combat i feel

locoman.1974:

A big one for me to fix underwater combat would be to allow characters to have an “underwater build”. My engineer, for example, is heavily specced for flamethrower and burning damage… problem is, since I can’t use the flamethrower underwater most of my major traits just don’t do anything. I could spec for grenades or bombs (which do work underwater) but I enjoy using the flamethrower so I don’t see it as a good alternative.

We already switch head armor and weapons when underwater… why not switch traits as well, and maybe even gear when we go underwater.

Along with a dungeon build, a WvW build and I guess those should be split into land and water versions too.

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

Fastest and easiest fix for this is:

1. Split traits between land and water traits.
2. Full armor change. A set of armor for land use and water use
3. More under water types of gear

These 3 things would vastly improve underwater combat.

Getting one set of ascended armor and weapon for one character already takes forever. I doubt the players would enjoy farming for a second set for underwater combat.

Standardize all stats for each profession is the best way to go.

Dude I don’t know what game you been playing, but I was able to make 2 ascended weapons in 3 days after reaching lvl500 in crafting. When ascended armour comes out I doubt it will take much longer. The one that takes the longest amount of time to make is celestial which takes 40 days just to get all the charged crystal. So the longest time in the game would be to make Celestial Ascended armour and weapons but at max 40 days cause in that 40 days you would get enough ascended materials just to make like 10 weapons.

This is only true if you do not have alts. This game does not need to be even more alt-unfriendly than it already is.

I have 10 characters and having no trouble at all.

10 full ascended characters? If you are in my guild you would be in the minority. A very small minority.

impossible to have 10 fully ascended characters lol. So far have 1 fully ascended and 2 very close. 1 a little farther just needing accessories and another i just got to lvl80 today that has like 2 pieces of ascended and working my way.

Suddenflame.2601:

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

Fastest and easiest fix for this is:

1. Split traits between land and water traits.
2. Full armor change. A set of armor for land use and water use
3. More under water types of gear

These 3 things would vastly improve underwater combat.

Getting one set of ascended armor and weapon for one character already takes forever. I doubt the players would enjoy farming for a second set for underwater combat.

Standardize all stats for each profession is the best way to go.

Dude I don’t know what game you been playing, but I was able to make 2 ascended weapons in 3 days after reaching lvl500 in crafting. When ascended armour comes out I doubt it will take much longer. The one that takes the longest amount of time to make is celestial which takes 40 days just to get all the charged crystal. So the longest time in the game would be to make Celestial Ascended armour and weapons but at max 40 days cause in that 40 days you would get enough ascended materials just to make like 10 weapons.

This is only true if you do not have alts. This game does not need to be even more alt-unfriendly than it already is.

I have 10 characters and having no trouble at all.

10 full ascended characters? If you are in my guild you would be in the minority. A very small minority.

impossible to have 10 fully ascended characters lol. So far have 1 fully ascended and 2 very close. 1 a little farther just needing accessories and another i just got to lvl80 today that has like 2 pieces of ascended and working my way.

Then you agree with me that it will be a pain to craft new sets of ascended gear for each character for underwater combat.

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

CHIPS.6018:

Suddenflame.2601:

Fastest and easiest fix for this is:

1. Split traits between land and water traits.
2. Full armor change. A set of armor for land use and water use
3. More under water types of gear

These 3 things would vastly improve underwater combat.

Getting one set of ascended armor and weapon for one character already takes forever. I doubt the players would enjoy farming for a second set for underwater combat.

Standardize all stats for each profession is the best way to go.

Dude I don’t know what game you been playing, but I was able to make 2 ascended weapons in 3 days after reaching lvl500 in crafting. When ascended armour comes out I doubt it will take much longer. The one that takes the longest amount of time to make is celestial which takes 40 days just to get all the charged crystal. So the longest time in the game would be to make Celestial Ascended armour and weapons but at max 40 days cause in that 40 days you would get enough ascended materials just to make like 10 weapons.

This is only true if you do not have alts. This game does not need to be even more alt-unfriendly than it already is.

I have 10 characters and having no trouble at all.

10 full ascended characters? If you are in my guild you would be in the minority. A very small minority.

impossible to have 10 fully ascended characters lol. So far have 1 fully ascended and 2 very close. 1 a little farther just needing accessories and another i just got to lvl80 today that has like 2 pieces of ascended and working my way.

Then you agree with me that it will be a pain to craft new sets of ascended gear for each character for underwater combat.

Nope I do not agree with that conclusion. This game is not about instant gratification but long term goals. Hell Ascended weapons just came out, and I already have 3 without really trying. Meaning I could easily equip all my characters without worrying