Guild Wars 2

I would like to suggest an easy way to explain builds using simple code/shorthand.

Lets say you are a thief and you are running Deadly Arts, Shadow Arts, and Acrobatics. These can be abbreviated DA, SA, and AB… which is probably the case already.

Now for which abilities you choose for the specialization lines, there are 3 possibilities for each selection: A High, Mid, and Low.

So here is what the code would look like:

DAmmh, SAmhl, ABmmm.

sound good?

3 little lines explain your entire build, which is much more specific then the 662 or 3335 type of shorthand.

The best one I saw so far was to use the actual name of the specialization line (or an abbreviation) followed by three successive a I, II, or III symbols which corresponded to the top, middle, and bottom trait in adept, major, and grandmaster slots, respectively.

So your example would change to something like this:

DA – II, II, I
SA – II, I, III
AB – II, II, II

I feel having all those letters look a bit messy together. You could probably still use them, but formatting them in the above way might make it more readable.

I’d be more inclined to go 1/2/3 for the traits. 1 being top and 3 being bottom, as one could easily assume.

or simply
DA:221
SA:213
AB:222

lot of “I” might be a bit daunting to the eyes as well

What would be even more awesome is a way to ctrl click on your spec tree and it shows up in chat window. But until then: DA221, SA213, AB222

Humans are geared toward finding patterns, once an easily recognizable pattern is found, we associate it with something just as easy. In terms of finite list items, we use numbers.
1 high, 2 mid, 3 low

This way it wont be confused with someone making a spelling mistake, and will be more readable than a bunch of vertical lines.

I agree with the horizontal…. it takes less chat space in chat… (by not bumping other peoples chat by having it vertical.

I vote for DA221, SA213, AB222

better to just type out the whole phrase.

for example,

warrior
strength: peak performance, body blows, distracting strikes
defense: shield mastery, mace mastery, cleansing ire
discipline: warrior’s sprint, brawler’s recovery, merciless hammer

much more clear, understandable at first glance.
numbers mean nothing.

However, when you know your class in and out, the numbers will instantly click, and when you type everything out like that it takes up much more space.
Especially important in a chat we all share.