Guild Wars 2

So I really want to like this game, I played originally when it first came out.

But I feel like I cannot attach myself to it like I did back when the Lich King came out for WoW.

My question for you all, is what makes this game so great for you?

Maybe it’s because I have nobody to play it with?

I requested a refund, but it has been over a week with no response from ArenaNet…
So my only choice here is to try my best to like it.
So I ask you all again to help me discover the true gem of this game.
I know it’s out there….somewhere.

Did you buy it from the homepage?

Why we like it may mean squat to you, so dont really see how a personal oppinon could help you mate.

It could help me realize that instead of automatically judging the game based on the first few mins of logging in.

Instead help me potentially realize what it is the game has to offer that I may potentially be missing out on.

(Also yes I bought the 30 dollar Heart of Thorns)

Overall I’m just asking the fan base to help me understand why this game is worth holding onto.

If I upset some along the way, then hey it’s social media…someone is bound to get upset.

Did you use your level 80 boost to instantly upgrade your starting character to max level? If so, consensus here seems to be that you’d be better off leaving that character to one side for now and experience the levelling process normally for your first toon. I know I would be pretty lost if I jumped with my sylvari engineer to level 80 without learning about the class, race, setting, story or world first.

And on the subject of races, I also think that not all of the starting areas are as well-crafted as each other. In particular I’d say that the Charr one does a bad job of showing the game off compared with the Sylvari or Asuran ones, with the Human and Norn ones being average.

One thing that kept me interested in the dry early levels (apart from this being my first MMORPG) was setting a goal for myself, namely to get from my Caledon Forest starting area to the Wayfarer Foothills where my Norn friend had his dude. Perhaps having some goals might let you get your foot in the door.

I felt the same way back when I bought the game on launch day. Didn’t really connect with the world at all, and quit playing before I even hit level 80. I tried it out a bunch of times afterwards, but always the same issue.

Years later, after HoT was already out, I decided to once again try the game. I created a new character and got addicted really quick. Not really sure what happened actually, maybe it was the nice guild I found, or all the new content, I don’t know. But from that point I’ve been playing every single day, cursing myself for not properly starting this game earlier.

My advice: just roll with it. Get to 80. Try out everything the game has to offer and see if you like something.

I think i know your problem. You love the lich king, probably because you played its history.
I love gw2 because invested in the history of gw1.

It’s partially nostalgia and having many years of experience in one “fantasy realm” that makes me stick around. I honestly can’t tell you if I’d have loved gw2 if i never played gw1

If you’re in the core game then… it’s visually nice, combat is engaging, nice dodge system, no holy trinity (thank goodness), characters are complete including their own ways to sustain themselves (even if it has been nerfed for thanks to raids), basically you can run around play the game at your own pace.
Once you get to HOT it isn’t as solo friendly, you unlock new specializations (the reason for more core nerfs) which are flat upgrades to core professions,
then there’s pvp that you can do at any time (don’t recommend)
WvW is fun if you like running in a large zerg
You can try raids if you can get past the elitists (the only way to get legendary armor)
You can work on crafting other legendaries if you enjoy that

Lots of things to do just depends on what you enjoy

Here’s a thread with comments about some of the more engaging parts of the game: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/gw2/Things-You-Love-About-GW2/first#post6641965

Welcome to Tyria, and good luck.

I like that I can freely roam around the game world randomly engaging in combat with anything I encounter and I will never truly outlevel any area. I take my fully leveled geared out character and go to divinity reach and can still enjoy the gameplay there.

The community is pretty fun and generally accepting of one another, a rarity in games of this size. I have had hours of fun simply talking to people I meet along my trip across the maps.

there are so many dynamic events occuring that I always feel like there is something to engage in at any point in time.

Personal goals are attainable and while the grind is real in some cases it is still entertaining .
examples: I want to gather 2k of every resource in game, doable albeit this will take a while especially when I use a majority to level crafting and sell off stockpiles to fund my alternate characters.
gaining all achievements is a long term goal as I have to play through the story multiple times however this is ok since the story is fun and the narrative interesting. Also its cutscenes are skippable so when I dont actually want to listen to queen jena give her speech for the 8th time its ok.
Jump puzzles are while annoying at times a community activity and many times I’ve met nice fun people to play with as a result of these little gems of aggravation.

the point is, there is always something to do, always someone to do it with, and always an opportunity to enjoy the game, all without a subscription or a paywall for content access. you bought it, you own it, all of it. its the best game for the buck.

There’s a lot I like about this game, but I think the main thing is it’s very low-commitment. For a long time after I quit Ultima Online I thought MMOs just weren’t for me because I can’t commit to playing on a regular schedule.

But GW2 (and GW1) are perfect for that. Firstly because there’s no subscription so I don’t risk losing money if I pay for permission to play for a month and then don’t have time to log in. But also because there’s no gear treadmill (since launch they’ve added 1 tier and that’s not required) so if I take a break from the game, or simply don’t feel like playing the latest “end game” content I’m not falling behind and I’m not going to be locked out of anything.

I also like a lot of the design of the game. For example exploration is very much encouraged with everything from mini dungeons and jumping puzzles to NPCs with weird dialogue, random achievements, rich gathering nodes and beautiful scenery to find if you take the time to search the maps thoroughly.

Having said all that (and bearing in mind there’s a lot I haven’t mentioned) it is quite different from other MMORPGs and I remember being confused by it when I started, even having played GW1 beforehand. I know I often have to push myself to stick with a new game when it seems weird and unfamiliar, instead of going back to the ones I already know.

If there’s anything in particular you’re frustrated with or confused by or simply can’t see the appeal of do ask, either here or in-game and we can probably help.

Xiosk.7534:

It could help me realize that instead of automatically judging the game based on the first few mins of logging in.

Instead help me potentially realize what it is the game has to offer that I may potentially be missing out on.

(Also yes I bought the 30 dollar Heart of Thorns)

Overall I’m just asking the fan base to help me understand why this game is worth holding onto.

If I upset some along the way, then hey it’s social media…someone is bound to get upset.

To quote a phrase from my favorite mobs … “You are kidding me, right?”

It could help me realize that instead of automatically judging the game based on the first few mins of logging in

You could have tried it out F2P until kingdom come. If you are not swept off your feet after a few hours / days / weeks you can delete it, never look back and have no regrets.

I can’t help but wonder at requests like these tbh. “Help me pick a name”, “Help me choose a class/profession” and this one, “help me find a reason to play this game AND justify my cash splurge”. It’s almost like downdeep you don’t really cba to have anything to do with the game but are forced to play somehow, for some reason.

But on the off chance you are legit… try Youtube, there’s countless hours of profession guides, playthroughs, etc.. out there. Should give you enough idea what the game is about without even logging in or lift a finger. A picture says more than a thousand words.

malachi.7503:

I like that I can freely roam around the game world randomly engaging in combat with anything I encounter and I will never truly outlevel any area. I take my fully leveled geared out character and go to divinity reach and can still enjoy the gameplay there.

I love this too. I’m a completionist, but also easily distracted in games so I spend a lot of time roaming around each area making sure I’ve found everything. Which means I’m usually over-levelled for whatever I’m doing. I don’t mind when that means I get no XP (it’s not like I need it) but it is annoying when all the drops are useless because they’re below my level and fights are over in 2 seconds.

In GW2 that doesn’t happen. I can take my level 80 characters anywhere in the world and play normally. Sure the fights are still somewhat easier because I have more skills and traits and a full set of matching equipment (when I’m levelling I just use whatever drops) but I still get to feel like I’m actually using my skills instead of having to pick just 1 per battle because that’s all I’ll have time for.

The game is very self directed than leading you around from quest giver to quest giver to next map. If exploration isn’t your thing or setting your own goals to achieve, I can understand your impression.

Thanks a lot guys, I can say one things for certain.
You guys seem to be a very kind, understanding bunch.
I have yet to do anything with my 80 boost, I don’t intend too until I really feel like it’s time.

That being said, (You love the lich king, probably because you played its history. )

Spot on here I believe, I loved the Lich King for the story. One of the best expansions I have ever played.

But that doesn’t really mean I want anything to do with WoW at the moment either.

I kinda feel like someone who just got a brand new toy, and doesn’t really know how to use it yet.

But from reading all the input here, and judging by the multiple quick responses.
I really believe that this is a game meant for those who are dedicated long term.
I’ve done my homework, been reading all over the forums about this game.
What I have gathered the most, is that GW2 seems to be more focused on the leveling experience instead of the end game?

I’m so used to WoW where everyone says to push push push to end game, which is where the real fun begins.

I haven’t really grasped too much as to what the overall story is, besides my own specific adventure.

Will this change later on? I strive for the social aspect, and being able to come together to overcome things like the Lich King himself for example.

Kingslayer was the most exciting achievement I believe I have ever accomplished as a guild.
Let alone the Frostbrood vanquisher xD

I guess you guys really hit it on the nail, I’m looking for some true nostalgia type.
Not very many games can produce that type of feeling to me anymore. Which is why I purchased this game in the first place.

Thank you all, for being so kind.
I look forward to hopefully running across some of you in the future.
Or at least those as nice and opened minded as you all have been so far.

(Taking the advice of Professor Sprout and potentially choosing Asuran)

I’m sure the overall consensus will be that all classes are the same, but any tips from you veterans to help a noob like myself immediately fall in love.

Any tips towards a solid starting class would be appreciated.
Necromancer looks great, others say guardian is really fun.

Abakk.9176:

Xiosk.7534:

It could help me realize that instead of automatically judging the game based on the first few mins of logging in.

Instead help me potentially realize what it is the game has to offer that I may potentially be missing out on.

(Also yes I bought the 30 dollar Heart of Thorns)

Overall I’m just asking the fan base to help me understand why this game is worth holding onto.

If I upset some along the way, then hey it’s social media…someone is bound to get upset.

To quote a phrase from my favorite mobs … “You are kidding me, right?”

It could help me realize that instead of automatically judging the game based on the first few mins of logging in

You could have tried it out F2P until kingdom come. If you are not swept off your feet after a few hours / days / weeks you can delete it, never look back and have no regrets.

I can’t help but wonder at requests like these tbh. “Help me pick a name”, “Help me choose a class/profession” and this one, “help me find a reason to play this game AND justify my cash splurge”. It’s almost like downdeep you don’t really cba to have anything to do with the game but are forced to play somehow, for some reason.

But on the off chance you are legit… try Youtube, there’s countless hours of profession guides, playthroughs, etc.. out there. Should give you enough idea what the game is about without even logging in or lift a finger. A picture says more than a thousand words.

Just a quick reply here, I understand that I could just play the game.
But coming to the forums to hear the opinions of those who have been playing this game for years.
Any true gamer, in my opinion of course, should commend such an action.
In my opinion, it shows true dedication to something you really want to play but aren’t really sure about it yet.

For the same reasons I spend hours on Twitch watching people play, instead of a video with nobody to respond to my questions. I instead come here where you all have already made me want to jump right in.

So again thanks you all. I look forward to continue reading your responses.

Check out the Player Helping Player forum and the game’s wiki.

The game will automatically down level you in lower level areas so everywhere can still be dangerous. You will still get random drops and XP of your true level so if you want you could level to the max in a starter zone.

Also remember that in the PvE areas, players shouldn’t fear other players as everyone who participated enough gets the same loot drop chances and full XP.

Please read this first. It’ll help you understand what GW2 really is:
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/gw2/On-The-Personality-of-GW2/first#post6645526

Then please watch this. It’ll help you understand why you as a player should play GW2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzFfO_yyxtI

Ultimately, I might be able to help you more though if I knew just WHAT exactly you are looking for in an MMORPG. Because chances very much are that GW2 has everything you desire already but you have not yet discovered it or understood it fully.

Well push to endgame…

In guild wars 2 it’s just opening bigger area’s of the sandbox…

If you look at characters when started: level 2:
You can run around in your starter area, and other races starter areas… Maybe their main cities and the city hub, but it’s all… That’s 5 starter maps and 6 cities…

Until lvl 10 there is just running around and trying to comprehend the most basic things of your class.

Then at lvl 10 you start to get some interaction… Personal story

At level 15 you are ready for the second set of maps… there are a bit fewer maybe but you’ll build on , you might have seen some world bosses in lowest tier maps

at lvl 30 you can do the 1st instanced content in PvE… Story dungeons… You’ll be at the
3rd part of story.

at lvl 50 you should have some feel for your class… you can get to roughtly 50% of the maps

you’ll level on and get lvl 80…
Now you’ll be thinking about builds gear, and where to go now… but you can go anywhere.

If you want you can go back to starter area’s and complete maps you didn’t finish, or go forward and start HoT, get masteries, elite specialisations, do the meta events ,do instanced content like fractals, get endgame gear, and prepare for raids, explore, flip the TP, You think of it and do it and it is part of the game. There are teachers, Rp-ers, Speedrunners, Collectors, Completionists, fashionists, Group players, solo players, Alt-o-holics. Crafters, gatherers , farmers, min-maxers, healers, bunkers, casuals, elites, newbs, noobs, nutters and more…..

They all come together and make a universe come alive. You just need to find a place.
Both everything and nothing matters, unless maybe you play highest endgame and you’ll see some elitism, DPS meters and gear checks. Until then you’ll be free to do what you want, look how you want, play as you want, do the content you like. So it’s not about doing a quest , it’s a quest finding your personal desires, your wishes, wants , musts and dreams. And you are the only one who can make ’m come true. You can find friends, groups, guild(s) and just help the populace.

Becoming lvl 80 is just finding a place in gw2. Not being done or starting. you start at lvl 1… Being done…? Well I still find new things after 12k hours, with 23 lvl 80’s.

We’ll see…. The game has just begun…

@Pax
Being that you have played almost everything there is to play.

Would you be so kind to direct me to a fun starting class, that you enjoyed the most on your starting adventures?

I know that is a selfish thing to ask, and everyone seems to get annoyed at the question.

But there has to be a class that most just absolutely love in this game.

I don’t think there is a Profession that is universally ‘loved’.

I would suggest creating 5 Professions and trying them all out. Most players end up with at least one of every Profession, anyway.

My favorites are Ranger (my Main – didn’t really care for it in Guild Wars), Necromancer, Warrior (late to create one, as I hated it in Guild Wars, but find it quite fun in GW2). My Main(s) in Guild Wars were Mesmer (don’t like it in GW2) and later Elementalist (I had 6 of them, but don’t really like them in GW2).

You can also use your L80 Boost to just try out each and every Profession in The Silverwastes (without keeping the character), but it might not be that great of an experience until you know more about the mechanics of the game.

I’d say Ranger, Necromancer, Warrior and Guardian are the easier to level up and learn the game with.

Good luck.

if I may answer a question for you: there is a goal. It is a part of the story line, which will make more sense as you level past 10 and actually start to see the events unfold in front of you…It will culminate in a massive battle against a dragon in which you will be joined by hundreds of other people for the world boss, and/or solo/small group for the story mission. then, you will find that the story continues from there. Lvl 80 is not the beginning or the end, it is simply the point of highest strength you can reach through normal leveling. by the time you reach lvl 80 you will still have 7 zones or so to work through, masteries to aquire, and unless you are very methodical a bunch of dungeons, fractals, raids, jump puzzles, map explorations to complete.
You absolutely will not get every story achievement in one go, in some cases you’ll be lucky if you get more than completion done on the first try.
W-v-W is another entire system unto itself. Do you like large scale siege battles? if yes, then W-v-W is for you. Imagine 300 people clashing together trying to take/defend a large castle or garrison, complete with all the engines of war.
Do you like small skirmish PVP? well, the mists are right there. Join with 6 man teams and go on full squad based killing frenzy. Ranked matches, unranked matches. Leaderboards.
There is a lot to do and experience on the journey to 80, and then there is a butt ton to do after you get there.

Xiosk.7534:

I kinda feel like someone who just got a brand new toy, and doesn’t really know how to use it yet.

Picking this quote in particular, because I want to emphasize how different the classes are, not just in game, but how some feel so unique to MMOs. Getting stuck with a profession you don’t know what to do with or one that feels flat can make traveling a slough.

I started with Ranger because my main in WoW was a Hunter, and I tend to groove with pet classes.
Hated it.
Got a few I love now, but I couldn’t stand Ranger to start. Necro baffled me. Mesmer was quirky and slow to amp up. Guardian was entirely too squishy for a heavy armor class.

So I fell into the basic trope Warrior.
But I had fun! GW2 was the first game to really make me like melee combat.

Over time and plenty of study, I worked on other builds for other professions, and alt-junkie that I am, eventually made a whole bunch.

The tl;dr of it, if you’re struggling to enjoy your experience now, try swapping professions. One is likely to resonate with you, and keep with it even after level 80. The Elite specs can change things dramatically, like Necro into Reaper (which I find hilarious).

Also, set up some challenges for yourself. Scan the achievement list and gun for some of those, or just roam around and see what you find. You’ll probably stumble into a jumping puzzle and have a good laugh.

Welcome to the game!

If you come here from WOW, then try and understand that this game is nothing like WOW, and if you try and play it like you played WOW you wont be happy.
To this end Id create a character that has no WOW equivalent.
Something like a Mesmer or Engineer , and pick a race that has a good starting location like an Asura or Sylvari.
Also try the content that isnt in WOW, like the personal stories or the jumping puzzles, although lots of players dont like them , but they are differant , and some are extremely hard, but gives you something to work at.

Ended up going with a Human Thief. Loving it so far, thanks again guys.

Good to hear. Love my Thief.

wow and gw2 are totally different games. I enjoy both but more gw2 cause of no monthly fee and obsolete gear every patch.

Gw2 has beautifull world, lots of fashion collection gear to get, mediocre story, great action combat etc.

wow has far more superior lore but wow is 15 years old while gw2 is only 5. Gw2 will grow better if devs listen to the community and steal good stuff and ideas from other games like wow does.

30$ is not much today. Its 2 month worth sub for wow. You should leave it when you get bored by wow and want to choose something new and fresh.

Xiosk.7534:

So I really want to like this game, I played originally when it first came out.

But I feel like I cannot attach myself to it like I did back when the Lich King came out for WoW.

My question for you all, is what makes this game so great for you?

Maybe it’s because I have nobody to play it with?

I requested a refund, but it has been over a week with no response from ArenaNet…
So my only choice here is to try my best to like it.
So I ask you all again to help me discover the true gem of this game.
I know it’s out there….somewhere.

For the last 2 years of this game I have basically quit PvE except for some new interesting content here and there, and quit SPVP due to a wide plethora of issues you can easily find on the sPVP forum.

But one thing keeps me going and coming back, and that’s WvWvW. In all its forms. Scruffy, unbalanced, chaotic, unpredictable at times, full of drama joy and tears. I have stuck to my home server, didn’t bandwagon off even when things were bleak and everyone around me folded. And I don’t regret it one bit.

I take pauses here and there, sometimes for a month or 2 cause of life or bad link or just binged out on it a bit, but then come back over and over again.

Raids, pve guilds, can’t come even remotely close to the community. SPVP guilds are too tiny to have one that even counts for me. And challenge wise, gettign into organized raid and wiping zergs 3x your size (often map que size) is jsut the bomb. Nothing else in this game comes close to it. Not sPVP, not raids with scripted and predictable repeating opponents, nothing.

So that’s what keeps me going. On top of that there are finally some mid range rewards in the game mode now. I hope A-Net continues the trend and WVW gets on par with PvP in terms of dedication, effort and risk vs reward.

O, and in-b-4 “you just spam 1 1 1 1” yea …. you go ahead and spam your 11111 against my group, see how that goes for you lootbag.

So that’s what still keeps me going. You should give it a try, see how it goes for you.

Xiosk.7534:

@Pax
Being that you have played almost everything there is to play.

Would you be so kind to direct me to a fun starting class, that you enjoyed the most on your starting adventures?

I know that is a selfish thing to ask, and everyone seems to get annoyed at the question.

But there has to be a class that most just absolutely love in this game.

I am a simple player.

I play Warrior main… But it is a simple proffession.

However I play 7 classes and almost all races.. I do not play revenant and engineer and I do not play Asura characters. Now having said this:"

• Revenant and Engineer are worth playing. I do not no like them, but they are both worthwhile.

As for a list of classes

Heavy:

• Warrior
  - Build to Buff allies with banners and might, with acces to powerfull CC
  - Good condition build with stadoff possibility
  - Both the power and the condition build have a fixed place in meta comps.
  - While it was the core of the Zerg melee train at one time it’s role in WVW gradually faded.
• Play: Mostly easy
• USE: DPS/ Condi
• PvE: 5/5
  *Instanced: ©PS is META
• WVW: 3/5
• PvP: 3/5

• Guardian
  - Build to buff allies with symbols and boons, acces to most boons ingame.
  - Supportive and defense oriented. Bit squishy if played incorrect
  - The mainstay of any WvW (melee) zerg
  - The abundant light fields tend to failcombo attempts, frustrating some other builds
  - OPnly acces to burninga s a condition, leaving it problematic to cover.
• Play: Moderate
• USE DPS/Support
• PvE: 4/5
• Instanced: It will function very well but will destroy DPS due to fields…
• WVW: 5/5
• PvP: 3/5 (gimmick build)

• Revenant
  - Build to assist allies with buffs and can swap between 2 roles in 1 click.
  - It has found it’s place in WvW as a conditions mitigator.
• Play: Moderate
• USE: support/bunker, no complete conditions solution
• PvE 3/5
• Instanced: 2/5 (after the nerf of their facet of nature , rev didn’t recover)
• WVW 4/5-5/5
• PvP ? (not sure about the PvP role)

Medium

• Ranger
  - A free character with incredible stamina and standoff capability,
  - In PvE instanced content often used as healer.
  - As druid an extremely powerful buffer as well
  - The condi build is Meta for instances and the heal build as well.
  - As condi build minimal role in roaming WvW parties.
  - Longbow has a 1500 range making it one of the most powerfull weapons for long distance fighting, and helps with farming and tagging.
  - A pet makes you’ll never run alone.
  - Pet is (far) more important to gmeplay then it initially seems
• Play: varies easy to critical
• Use: DPS, Condi, Heal, Pets…
• PvE 5/5
• Instanced: Druid heal META, cRanger META
• PvP 4/5
• WvW 2/5

• Thief
  - And extremely powerfull mostly single target DPS and Condi solution.
  - Extremely squishy.
  - Often frowned upon in PvE due to the many ppl who like it but cannot play it.
  - Powerfull in PvP, Powerfull in roaming WvW no role in zergs in WvW at all.
• Play: moderate-hard
• USE: DPS, Condi, stealthing…
• PvE 4/5
• Instanced: power META, condi: META
• PvP 5/5
• WVW 5/5 roaming & 1/5 zerg

• Engineer
  - A really versatile class,
  - Has acces to (almost) all combo fields ingame
  - Has acces to most conditions.
  - This class can be anything if you want.
  - It is HARD to master correctly.
  - It is the class with the longers skill chain for optimum DPS (used to be 40+ steps)
  - It is the 2nd (and last) class whcih has acces to a 1500 range weapon.
• Use DPS/ Condi/ Support, (stealthing)
• Play: Hard and Complex
• Viability? I have no real clue…

Light

• Elementalist
  - Master of Elements, friend of elementals.
  - You can be a Long range AoE Master or a support and heal specialist.
  - You can be both if you want to.
  - Acces to Condition DPS and support meta builds…
  - No weaponswap, but 4 attunements give 20 skills on your weaponset.
  - Squishy
• USE: power, condi, healing, bunker.
• Play: Complex
• Instanced: Power DPS, still META, Conditempest META, Auramancer is niche.
• PvE: 4/5
• PvP: 4/5
• WvW: 4/5

• Necro
  - Master of life and death, conditions and debuffs.
  - Can spread conditions on target to other targets
  - Can be extremely powerfull and extremely tough.
  - Minions can be a nice help in PvP and PvE,
  - Condition bunkers roam WVW
• USE: Conditions, dps, Condition manipulation, debuffer
• Play: Easy
• PvE: 3-4/5-
• Instanced: Niche builds…
• WvW: 4/5
• PvP: 4/5

• Mesmer:
  - Master of illusions and time.
  - Can be extremely powerfull though it is weak in personal damage.
  - The condiotion has been a thorn in people’s sides since the start of the game
  - Chronomancer dps/ support is mandatory in instanced meta
• USE: Providing quickness and alacrity, Kiting, bunker, condi, portalling, stealthing…
• Play: Complex.
• PvE: 4/5
• Instanced META as DPS, and Support or Bunker & Niche as Condi
• PVP: 4/5
• WVW: 3/5

Having made this list which is allways up to discussion I can olny say you should find something whcih connects to you

1st question should be
What Do I want to play PVE? instanced? PVP? WVW?
2nd question
What use?
3rd question easy medium or hard play?

I play Warrior, Elementalist, Ranger, Guardian, Necromancers, Mesmers and Thieves.

Behellagh.1468:

Good to hear. Love my Thief.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuVmvUJLhG8

You are a hero.
I thought I was the only one that liked them.
>__o
I kina felt like a tool quoting ‘Playing Engineer’ in map chat during the leather farm in Lake Doric, though.

As for why I like the game?
I’ve been a huge Guild Wars nerd since Eye of the North released.
That’s when I got into the Guild Wars franchise.
My wife and I have played together since we joined the GW community.
I think that’s why I still play daily.
It can’t be for raids, dungeons, or fractals.
You need to be willing to group for that.
xD
We get on in the evenings to do our dailies, maybe a bit of living story here and there to relax and unwind before bed.
I play PvP and WvW by myself when my wife works the evening shifts.
But there is more than enough for everyone, just depends on finding ‘your thing’.
You have to give it a fair shot before writing it off.

My suggestion – spend some time with the LFG tool, even at lower levels, to get involved with some world boss kills. Not the most challenging content, but it will give you a small taste of what makes this game special to people like me.

Specifically, that is the vibrant open world playground for the community as a whole. Compared to games like WoW, you will likely find the instanced stuff in GW2 lacking. GW2 will never do that kind of content as well as games that focus more on it.

Where this game really shines is in open world – playing alongside dozens, or potentially 100+, other players as you explore the world and kill enemies. It will never be overly challenging, but it is engaging and fun for many of us.

Also – the game is a lot more fun with a good guild. I would make that step one.

Addition – and definitely give WvW a try.

Guild was is the best of both worlds I feel for MMOs. It is one of the few mmos if you want to play it alone you will be able to. It never forces you to party up unless you want to do a dungeon and even then you have the choice of soloing the dungeon or doing it with friends. It also lets you experience everything with friends if you want to even your personal story. I think one of the key things for guild wars are the guilds. Once you find a guild that clicks with you it makes the game feel so amazing and so alive.

I do understand the not being attached feeling though. A long time ago I was really into Terra I loved it. That game was so much fun for me and then someone hacked my account and did some really bad things. This caused me to be banned then someone trying to cheer me up at the time pointed me to guild wars.

When I logged on for the first time I really didn’t know much I was a slow learner that stumbled through lvling up. Then one day I hit the lvl that allowed me into wvw the same person told me to go try it because I might like it. When I went in I had no idea what was going on there were fights everywhere big triangle marks over peoples heads * I still didn’t know what a tag was at this time XD*. Needless to say I wiped and I roamed off to a camp where I saw a group of people. I didn’t want to wipe again so I followed them from a far to try and figure out what to do. One of them spotted me and invited me to their party. He eventually became a close friend of mine in guild wars. They taught me everything I know about wvw.

Once I joined them it all started to click I was having so much fun since I had friends to enjoy it with and I actually understood what was going on. I feel the same will happen for you once you find your guild and you start getting the hang of how the game works you will fall in love with the beauty of guild wars.

Also there is something that you may enjoy it is what we call fashion wars. Guild wars lets you change the skin of any type of armor your wearing to a skin you have unlocked. You just need transmutes to do it a lot of people play just for this between thousands of armor combinations as well as dye channels. You are able to make a character that is unique for you.

Behellagh.1468:

Good to hear. Love my Thief.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuVmvUJLhG8

That was pure joy haha, thanks for that.
Also, playing this game in 4k and max settings, this is the most beautiful game I have ever seen.

I’m really starting to enjoy myself, reading through all your comments has really helped me realize how much fun this adventure is going to be.

Thanks again everyone.
I’m having a blast.

PaxTheGreatOne.9472:

They all come together and make a universe come alive. You just need to find a place.
[…] So it’s not about doing a quest , it’s a quest finding your personal desires, your wishes, wants , musts and dreams. And you are the only one who can make ’m come true.

So well said! And be prepared that you discover totally new desires… for me, that is the combat on all scales against other players.

Unlike you, OP, I have not played a lot before I started GW2 less than a year ago. I started this game mainly to have an enjoyable activity with my friends at home since I moved 8000 km away a couple of years ago.

The few games I had played before were more strategic or economy simulation games. I usually stopped enjoying those games when any sort of war or combat became central in the end phase of those games. However I was assured that GW2 can be played with little combat and with a focus of exploring of a beautiful world.

So I made a Charr mesmer and started exploring and loved it. I also did not find the occational combat with trash mobs too bad. I did the story and a few dungeons, this and that. Made an Ele and liked that.

For some odd reason one day I decided to try sPvP. Even though I got straight out deleted, I was hooked. I started to learn about classes, roles, boons, control and stats to get better. I made and played more classes to learn how they work. I am now in low gold and happy about my progress from a total gaming noob that had to learn how to use the keyboard for movement to an avarage PvP player.

Then I tried WvW and end up to spend at least 75% of my playtime there. The teamplay on the smallest to the largest (across maps) scale and the huge fights are so much fun. To learn to play various classes, roles and synergies in a 40-player squad is fun and challenge. Listening to my squadmates on TS is interesting, they come from all places of the world. To wipe the larger enemy blob when everything works out is amazing. To discover new possibilities of a long played class is great. For example, I have played my Mesmer main in a lot of different ways. Condi-DPS in open world, the quickness-share built in instanced PvE, Condi-Shatter and PU Mesmer in PvP. But I only recently got into a heal/boonshare-build in large scale WvW fights and love it! And I like the process of gearing my characters for those roles.

The combat and the combat system is what really keeps me hooked now. I would never have expected that when I started this game.

Excelsior.
If you can’t get warm with the game, it won’t change by random people telling you what they like about it. I don’t like vanilla ice cream, and that won’t change, even though you could deliver me 15 reasons why it’s great ice cream for you.

I was a bit the same. Covered myself in self-pity a bit, “why does everbody have fun but I ain’t? Please, what is the secret?! I can’t see it in this game, I hate it because of that”. I dumped FF14 due to that; I could not get warm with the stoic and robotic gameplay anymore. Leaving something is not a bad thing, you will do so much more bad purchases in your life.. :-)

To me, I had a bit of a hard time to get used to it after FF14, but I eventually got sucked into GW2. I am playing 100% alone for over 2 years now, so my fire for the game gets smaller from time to time; there is simply no one that enrages my fire and desire to play. Which can hurt.

Right now, I massively enjoy Dishonored 2, and being a trap-using assassin using a blade and a pistol, I just re-discovered that I can do that in GW2 as well, and now another game from another genre basically ignited my wish to put my Asura daredevil back in service. Had a blast again 2 days ago after like 3 weeks of being offline, stealth-stealing myself trough a cave full of Dredge and Skritt, unloading hundreds of bullets into them from elevated positions while listening to Carpenter’s “The Windows” (from Assault on Precinct 13). I gained barely any EXP, but it was a joy for some strange reason and worth my time that evening. Also, I realized how nice this game plays, it’s a great 3rd person game with a totally great job – Thief/Daredevil and a character that is totally fitting me (Duh, I created him after all, my long-eared Asura is what I consider as perfect :-))

Sometimes I don’t play for a couple of days, even weeks, but that is not quite the fault of the game.

EDIT: Fixed some very bad grammar.

Zedek.8932:

Excelsior.
If you can’t get warm with the game, it won’t change by random people telling you what they like about it.

So far the very reason why I haven’t refunded the game is exactly the opposite of what you are saying.

All these thoughts and opinions are simply there for others to read, think of it as advertising the game for someone who hasn’t played the game before.

The more I read the more I learn about this game, and continue to see why everyone loves it so much.

So again I beg to differ.

Things I love about this game:
- the scenery
I can wander around for hours enjoy the views ( especially The Grove/Caledon and Wayfarers/Shiverpeaks/Hoelbrak)
- the npc chatter
A lot of it is hilarious.
- the other players
You took a bite too big for you and lie around dead in some forsaken area of a map, wondering if you should just go waypoint when suddenly some other player appears ans resurrects you. You type ty, the other one np and off you go.
- the other players even more
You took a bite too big and suddenly some other players appear, you automatically work together and overcome the obstacle
- the other players rock
ever stuck in a jp when a friendly mesmer drops a portal?
- the other players are phenomenal
just stand around in DR or LA with your latest kit you are very proud of, and others will congratulate you. player chat is usually very friendly and fun (exception: wvw, there it can be toxic and fun).
- looks
you can be as pretty and fabulous or trollish ugly as you want.
- guildies
nothing to add there. Really. A bunch of people you run around with, being silly and having fun, is there a better way to take down bosses?
- Quaggan
Quaggan thinks that quaggan are the best thing since sliced bread. Quaggan is hungry now. Cooo.

xikira.3264:

When I logged on for the first time I really didn’t know much I was a slow learner that stumbled through lvling up. Then one day I hit the lvl that allowed me into wvw the same person told me to go try it because I might like it. When I went in I had no idea what was going on there were fights everywhere big triangle marks over peoples heads * I still didn’t know what a tag was at this time XD*. Needless to say I wiped and I roamed off to a camp where I saw a group of people. I didn’t want to wipe again so I followed them from a far to try and figure out what to do. One of them spotted me and invited me to their party. He eventually became a close friend of mine in guild wars. They taught me everything I know about wvw.

I only started wvw recently (the reason was the Arah reward track. Before I do Arah, I try wvw was the thinking. Can’t be worse.).

So I was totally clueless, tried to do as good as I could with my non-meta-but-I-liked-it triple sigil ele. Yeah, you can facepalm now.

Somehow on one of the early days, I became part of a zerg, told the com straight away that I am a wvw newb. Answer: I can see that. Change this, that. You will survive longer. Btw, here is ts.
I did change, joined ts, where some guy was just making a joke that I probably have a very stupid armor setup as well. At least my armor layout was acceptable. And then they were pretty nice. Giving me links, hints and were overall very supportive.

Since then I play wvw every single day. It is so much fun. The big zergs are still a weak point (fps drop and lag are insane, especially, when the three map blobs run into each other) But the 5-20 player squad has become a sweet spot for me. I am loving it. Even more than doing organized world bosses, which until now was my absolute favorite. I am not good, but I am improving and having fun while doing so.

Yes, the chat can look very toxic at times, but in most cases it is actually just friendly banter. The wvw crowd is surprisingly welcoming and inclusive. Just don’t touch the tactivator.

To finish this up: I fully recommend trying WVW. Don’t be shy. Don’t quit after your first couple of wipes and you will discover a new world of mechanics, tactics, fun and good people.

Having played WoW on-and-off from vanilla to Legion – and having recently burned out on the latter, what really struck me after getting back into GW2 (I played it since beta, but quit a couple years back) are the quality combat, down-leveling and events. These combine to make a world that feels alive, rewarding me for doing pretty much any content, no matter what level, at whatever pace I enjoy. I don’t feel obliged to login (no sub), and I play it not as an MMO but as an actual GAME. If I get bored, I logout.

A few tips: don’t rush leveling. Do all the map stuff: events vistas, etc. but don’t feel you have to complete everything on one map before moving on. Just carve a path through the content however you like: explore, always join events you run into, help out. The down-leveling means you can (and will) come back to do or repeat content, as much of it remains relevant, even as part of the endgame.

And maybe it’s too late but… DON’T USE INSTA-80!! Save it, and savor the content on your first run-through. I hate alting, normally, but I’m currently leveling my fifth, and loving it…psst, elementalists are awesome, and mesmers too ymmv

Goettel.4389:

I hate alting, normally, but I’m currently leveling my fifth, and loving it…psst, elementalists are awesome, and mesmers too ymmv

As a shameless alt-junkie, I have to say that one of the things that surprised me most about GW2 is how easy it is to have an alt. There are so many account-bound conveniences, and getting from 1-80 isn’t difficult at all.

When I started, I fell into Warrior pretty quickly. Good profession to learn the game with, fairly forgiving, but simple. But there was something about Mesmer that just felt so unique, something elaborate about their gameplay, that I’ve got such a crush on them. Then there’s Elementalist, which goes beyond the boring “Mage” trope into a dual-dagger wielding hellion that can dance into various roles.

@OP: Glad you’re finding Thief more engaging! I’d like to think that GW2 has a profession that’s right for everyone, so I definitely encourage you to explore all the profession and weapon combinations. Weapon selection can dramatically change your play style. (Warrior + Hammer needs more love in my opinion, but I’m biased.)

Agree with some of the above, no one can make you like a game if you don’t. That said I understand your question is more why other players like it so will answer your direct question. There is also a difference if you are coming at this game as a place to explore versus you had an older game that closed and this is something close but you miss your old home. As an older player there are elements in game that I can complain about but I am going to post this looking at it from a new players perspective.

In the simplest terms this game is an onion. There are many layers and its a matter of determining which layers appeal to you. Does it have its short comings, yes. But that said all games do to some degree.

To me the key is replay-ability and end game. A game needs to give you challenges and allow you to work towards things but also not be ever “over”. Its about the journey. That said GW2 does actually just begin when you reach max level since you have much to do once capped.

To address it in sections:

Player vs Player:

• SPvP – has elements that will allow you to play against others in a close to level playing fields and has tournaments and seasons. No real gear requirements here means you can jump in at minimum level and play against others as you wish. Ranked matches try to match you against people in your rating’s bracket and unranked allows you to try your hand against random opponents that are queuing at the same time you are.
• WvW – Large scale combat against other players where all people on your server are on your side. WvW is an endgame mode where you play against others and gear matters meaning it gives you goals to work towards and weekly matches as your server fights for position. Depending on the server you can find fights 24×7 and the environment is constantly changing as objectives are traded back and fourth. The difference here is war isn’t fair so be ready to face more than just 1 on 1.
• Trading Post – For some the trading post is a PvP environment of its own as players fight for profit by selling and trading goods to see if they can control/earn coin for themselves. Though meant for the role of allowing players to trade goods to others, some players do enjoy “playing” this market and for many this is another form of PvP. Buy low, sell high and try and control it all.

Player vs Environment:

• Storyline – There is a pretty expansive main story line that will progress your toon(s) thru the world and unfold the lore of GW2. Each race has differing elements to offer as well that may offer differing beginnings to players.
• Living Story – GW2 concept that the world changes means that there will be things that have already occurred that altered the world that players now see. Starting just now you will experience a Lion’s Arch that looks much different from older players have known since events have occurred that drastically altered it. You might find other structures in the world that are remnants of past events that unfolded over time. GW2s world changes over time as things come and go.
• Dungeons – For those looking for small group content dungeons were GW2 original take on this and further fleshed out the main story arc but were not required but were addendum’s to allow player to delve in deeper into other NPCs in game. Though ANet has moved away from dungeons they are still good content for those seeking group PvE events.
• Fractals (Fraggles) – Fractals were a way to introduce PvE group content that ANet could then expand on without risking changes to the main story and allow a vessel that scales in difficulty. When first introduced to fractals my first thought was the goal of fractals was to be able to do more fractals. Fractals scale in the sense that at intervals the game rules change and players need to adjust their toons to meant new challenges even though they know the maps and what they will face. There is also a gear progression in this that requires players to acquire more and more agony resistance as they go else just being in the fractals will kill the player on its own. Loot drops and value also increase as the levels increase.
• Raids – Raids are Anet’s answer to people asking to be able to large scale PvE content an offer higher challenges. Its the newest of the PvE challenges and offer its own rewards and also require players to seek higher end gear.
• Live Events – Part of the living story at times will also include world events that might be temporary content that offers differing PvE challenges and might also grant limited time items that plays may want to acquire. These might be solo events, group, map wide events.
• Holidays – GW2 offers Holiday events as well that include changes to some maps and events that might only be available during limited times. There are usually differing activities only available during these events and items that may only be available to be acquired at that time. Holidays might include changes to PvE, PvP and sometimes cosmetic changes to WvW.

Goals:

• Achievements – GW2 includes Achievement Points that can be acquired by doing various things in game and covers things in all game modes. This is more of a mile marker system for players that is completly optional. For completionists its a bucket list of sorts and has it own leaderboards.
• Legendaries – Are morph-able weapons and armor that require time, coin, materials, luck to make that also have unique skins. Legendaries also require precursors that have their own challenges in obtaining.
• Guild Halls – Guild Halls include their own goals that allow groups of people to work towards building up. Guild Halls can offer boons to guild members as well as places to acquire materials and player buffs. WvW buffs and WvW equipment are also available guild hall features that can allow them to upgrade objectives their guild might claim in WvW that will bolster their servers effort in that weeks match up.
• Home Instances – Home instances are areas that player can work towards improving that can allow them access to in game materials that they can also share with friends and can include unqiue items acquired from various PvE elements ranging from living story events, world events, expansion areas, and from the gem story.
• Loot – For some its all about the shiny. Loot various from trash to precusors, what might you find next.
• Gear – Gear progression is key to both PvE and WvW. Gear ranges from drops, rewards to game mode currency to crafted gear. New sets are also introduced over time meaning what you like today might need to be changed in the future.
• PvP – There are ranks to be made and seasons with leader boards mean that past glories are just that, go and prove your position anew and see how you rank in new ones. With a range of maps and differing builds you never know what you might get next. Unique skins and gear also await as well as player finishers only available here as you rank up.
• WvW – Weekly resets mean that what you own now might need to be fought for a new on the morrow. Ideally weekly changes and new server links also may change your challenges levels. There is also a cost to go to war so be ready to change up your gear, build/acquire more siege and be ready to lend a friend/guild-mate/server mate a hand. Unique gear options are also available that can only be acquired here. WvW levels also grant you boons only for this game mode but will grant additional benefits to your account as you level.
• Fractals – Build up your gear and acquire more agony resistance as you work your way up in levels. Be ready for enviroment and NPC abilities to morph as you go. Unique skins and items also wait that can only be acquired in this game mode.
• Crafting – Crafting is available that allows players to build their own high level gear and create temporary consumables that will increase their stats in the various game modes. Though crafting may not offer profit to some other can also earn coin from crafting that they can sell to others. Crafting has its own levels to work thru and requires people to acquire materials that will be consumed while crafting.
• Reward Tracks – Oh shinny. PvP and WvW both offer reward tracks that are additional loot drops that are granted to you over time for playing the game modes. Some of these offer items that are acquired via PvE for players that are more interested in challenges from others versus from AIs.
• Coin – Gather in game currency can be a goal and game in of itself for those that like to judge their progression on such things. Coin is always in demand how you acquire it is up to you.
• Fashion-Wars – For some its all about looks. GW2 uses a system that allows you to unlock item appearances that can then be applied to the same class of gear at cost of transmutation currency. For some its about chasing down those items so that they can then wear that appearance. Since different items are available only in certain game modes it means players need to adapt/lucky/persistent to acquire ones they want. Fashion-Wars is also a way for people to show what they acquired and therefor done in game.
• Gathering – for some its all about gathering and different part of the world offer different maps. Gathered mats are needed in a wide range of game activities ranging from crafting to siege gear and tactics to Guild Hall upgrades to making money on the Trading Post.
• Gems – Gems are a special game currency that can be used to acquire appearance items, boosters, account services and various services that might aid a player. Gems can be purchased for real money or can be acquired by exchanging gold in game to gems. To some this is another collectible that might be acquired that can show progress in game.

Could probably go on and I am sure I missed things, but as I said its like an onion, there are games here in games and many ways to do things. Key to it all though, is the chance to find new friends along the way and other people to enjoy it with. GW2 is a good game that allows multiple people to enjoy together and some bits of shine all the more when playing with others.

In any case, good gaming where you find it and remember where ever you land to have fun. And limited editing so forgive me any spelling and grammar issues.

And true to some of the above, GW2 is very alt-friendly and differing classes and toons setup means that there are various ways to do things, be that in PvE, PvP, WvW. More options mean more variables which then alters can keep the world/event/fight fresh.

Most people’s problem is they spend countless hours in a game like Wow and starting a game like gw can feel like losing all that invested time. Same reason why it’s hard to leave gw, I’ve invested countless hours have multiple legendaries, etc. But I’m still having fun in pvp etc, so I’m enjoying the game. If your already feeling the pull away and you haven’t gotten started, maybe stay with your wow. I’ll just state the obvious that gw is a far superior game in pretty much every aspect.

Xiosk.7534:

Behellagh.1468:

Good to hear. Love my Thief.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuVmvUJLhG8

That was pure joy haha, thanks for that.
Also, playing this game in 4k and max settings, this is the most beautiful game I have ever seen.

I’m really starting to enjoy myself, reading through all your comments has really helped me realize how much fun this adventure is going to be.

Thanks again everyone.
I’m having a blast.

Good luck with the Thief! I’ve always found them to be really hard to play well, but maybe if I’d tried to play one closer to when I started the game, I wouldn’t be playing it like an idiot today.

As you should. Get a refund, you’ll thank yourself later.

Xiosk.7534:

But I feel like I cannot attach myself to it like I did back when the Lich King came out for WoW.

My question for you all, is what makes this game so great for you?

The fact that it’s NOT like WoW. No new gear tier and level cap, I can take a break whenever I want because I don’t have to worry about grinding for months just to get up-to-date gear. No sub fee (I don’t waste my money if I take a break), no weekly maintenance downtimes, fast-paced and fun combat, fashion wars, beautiful graphics, exploring, lots of things to do and collect…

@OP at least u dint buy the expansion to gain a condi cleanse on block…. and traps gimmick damage wich is almost mandatory to use…. more than core builds….

yeah not like wow, they trade gear grind to a system where players need to buy the expactions to play the next and most easy gimmicks and feel the placebo “class progression”.

Q:My question for you all, is what makes this game so great for you?
A: im here just to laught how bad Anet has become(its actually sad….the quality downgrade from gw1 to gw2 even on skill design), learn what not to do when u do an mmo.
Learn from the mistake of others and this game is full of mistaken olutions/decisions.
The skill design and balance in this game is a joke as well.
but
(meanwhile wait for them to make this game as good as gw1 was/is, but it looks this game is downgrading every time they add most of stuff)

P.S the storyline is somewhat entertaining(still inferior to Gw1) gw2 pvei is a bit confuse to follow wich made me lost track of pve stuff, and since i play with my wvw build some dps missions were a pain to kill the mobs/bosses as well….and felt like i had to drop pve.

TDLR: OP you need to find wich gimmickness made you atracted to buy the gw2 game….some are here just for th graphics and how easy s to get carried in this game.
Just dont forgget that this game was designed for player that didnt like mmo’s or never played mmo’s before.