Guild Wars 2

I’m relatively new to this game, been playing it for the last month. Really like it, and the early levels were fun because I felt like I had control over my build from the very outset (well, level 10, but you still had complete control over your character after an hour or so of play). With the new trait system, leveling just isn’t nearly as fun and enjoyable as it used to be. It used to be exciting to level up, seeing the little red dot in the corner, making your character slightly better the way YOU want to. Now this is gone for a significant portion of the game, making the only levels that matter every six levels after level 30. I felt like I was playing a game like World of Warcraft, where my character’s stats are almost entirely decided by gear and class, rather than be decided by my choices. Sure, once I reached level 30 today that changed a bit, but for a game that advertised player choice, customization, and freedom from such constraining mechanics, this change is an odd one. Sure, the builds and customization options are still there, but it takes 10-20 hours of being limited to your equipment to actually get to that. I started an engineer a couple days ago, got him to level 11, but now I have no drive to go play him again, because leveling up feels so much more meaningless at early levels. There was nothing wrong with the original system, and now one of the most enticing features of the game that encourages progression is removed for a significant, and important feature has been changed in a way that discourages new comers to continue playing. This needs to fixed, and probably soon if ArenaNet wants to attract new comers, I know I won’t be going back to my engineer any time soon with this new system.

You have only been playing a month. It’s not hard to level, especially as you get further into the game, and the new trait system won’t change your leveling much, especially as you get higher. EVERYONE that rolls a new character or is new to the game is having to deal with it and ADAPT.

Be patient and give it some time……it’ll get easier as you understand the game better.

Best of luck!

The OP is right. Up to level 30, it’s more boring to level. That’s a given. But it’s not that slow. Anyone playing a year, will probably have a couple of scrolls to level to 20 anyway (that’s the only way I’ll be making new alts now) and then they only have to go 10 levels before they get traits just like before.

But starting from scratch…the OP is quite correct.

It’s not like trait were “fun” to begin with, most of them are just passive buffs, I think it’s nice for new player to not be overwhelm by everything this game offer.

People already need to adapt to GW2, no trinity, no regular quest, weapon swap. It may not seems like a lot, but many new player don’t even bother using 2 weapon sets.

No they do not…newcomers will be faced with the new trait system and have no recognition with the old one..(and therefore no demotivational issues..they just don’t know better )
Unless you define newcomers as "people who recently joined in and are already facing these huge changes)…which IMO are not newcomers..but thats a matter of subject

Nage.1520:

The OP is right. Up to level 30, it’s more boring to level. That’s a given. But it’s not that slow. Anyone playing a year, will probably have a couple of scrolls to level to 20 anyway (that’s the only way I’ll be making new alts now) and then they only have to go 10 levels before they get traits just like before.

But starting from scratch…the OP is quite correct.

After the trait changes were announced I leveled four characters to 29 without using traits, including a mesmer. It was no more or less boring/interesting than it was before. This change is all going to depend on a players mindset.

JCROY.5730:

No they do not…newcomers will be faced with the new trait system and have no recognition with the old one..(and therefore no demotivational issues..they just don’t know better )
Unless you define newcomers as "people who recently joined in and are already facing these huge changes)…which IMO are not newcomers..but thats a matter of subject

I’ve dealt with this today, because someone I know just started. They wanted to try it out because I was so excited about the wardrobe system. They quit after a few levels because once I explained that they wouldn’t get anything till 30 they just didn’t feel the drive to level anymore. I came back after a long break for the wardrobe system, and the new leveling won’t affect me because of the 80s I already have. For new players though I can certainly see how this would not be fun. Maybe if they gave the first trait at level 10, then maybe 1 at 15 and then slowed it down to 1 at 25 etc with 1 every 5 levels.

I’m not really sure how to fix the system, but I don’t think the current one is going to win anyone new over.

There is no wrong or right about this IMO

In every game I’ve played where levelling was present, the fun only starts after reaching a certain level..(better gear/magic/power/unicorns..whatever..) if someone new is already demotivated bij not reaching the first 30 in GW2 ..well..maybe it is just not his/her game? I would consider it a challenge..

Hey there, since we are getting a lot of feedback on this topic right now, we are collecting it all in dedicated threads. You are very welcome to repost your questions comments and concerns here “https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/gw2/Game-Updates-Traits”