So I’ve been trying to get back into the game again, and I’ve been spinning off ideas of things I’d like to see in Tyria and GW2 as a whole. A few of these are probably repeats from the (likely) hundreds of other such topics, but no matter; they bear repeating.
More Weapons
I know it has been “planned” to expand what professions have access to what weapons — like why Engie doesn’t have mace and hammer — but I think it’s high time ANet gets around to conceiving some new weapons entirely. In the very least, it would be nice to see some weapons that are “unique” to certain professions, or help epitomize their style within the world.
Some suggestions:
- Battleaxe (2H axe): we’ve already got the Greatsword and Hammer, so it seems a bit silly not to get a bigger, choppier weapon involved. Focus could be on harrowing foes with conditions and debuffs — like a revival of the broken armor status from GW1. A great addition to the front-line Warrior and those Necromancers wishing to dish out more pain.
- Spear (2H polearm): for some reason, I can see the Ranger and Elementalist getting along with bringing the spear turf-side. Both could benefit from a melee weapon that allows them to engage foes from a distance while maintaining poise and maneuverability.
- Whip (1H, main ? ? ?): extending the idea of extended range, let’s give the Mesmer and the Guardian a whip, providing a “control”-oriented weapon to the professions. It seems thematically sound (mesmers dominate their foes, while Guardians bring justice … or just subjugate), and would certainly be neat to see.
- Hand Crossbow (1H archery): sure the Thief already has the Shortbow and Pistol, but they need something that combines the pistol’s precision with the bow’s spontaneity. It also fits the image of a “silent take-down” well, and could provide more avenues for skill direction.
As for Engineer … they’ve already got a load of kits and packs.
More Elite skills
Let’s be honest here: racials aside, each profession gets 3 elites. The majority of the whole aren’t even usable underwater, and the way most tie in with profession traits is inconsistent at best. So in the spirit of having added more healing skills, it seems fair to expand the number of elites as well.
Give players and professions more variance to help break up the meta.
Expanded utility skill usage
Some of the skills which can’t be used underwater make sense, while others don’t. A trap could easily act as a spherical “mined” region (same with the Healing Turret and Lich Form’s inscriptions), while ground-targeting skills could defer to using a "targeting vector.
The use of a vector (like Whirlwind Attack’s activation sequence) could allow lines of effect, and thus allow more professions more utility while underwater — as a few of them suffer rather significantly in aquatic combat. Sure Shadowstepping or Teleporting however many units in a straight line might not be optimal, but reintroducing the option of escape — or being able to pop a sphere of nastiness on clustered foes — would be invaluable.
More “hidden” areas
Exploring is fun, and stumbling across jumping puzzles and finding loot makes it even better. There are dozens upon dozens of little nooks and crannies hidden in Tyria, but few of them hold real purpose. A little polish could amend this and really help expand the world.
It’d be nice to see more reasons to return to prior areas and re-explore the game world by keeping it alive with new places being uncovered, and old ones expanded upon to give players even more things to do. That, and it could coincide with introducing another Daily category of “Find a Hidden Chest in [xxxx],” similar to the old Jumping Puzzle Daily and Monthly.
And lastly …
More Styles
It’s great that there are tons of BLTC outfits and looks available for purchase with gems, but a fair number of gamers also enjoy working to obtain their favored appearance (it makes our vanity feel worth it). Introducing more armor and weapon appearances, skins, and collectibles obtained outside of festival tokens — whether through mechanisms similar to dungeons, karma, laurels, or just plain luck — would really broaden the amount of customization, detail, and creativity players can put into their looks.
(Oh, and while you’re at it … show the Charr some love and fix up that whole “tail-clipping-through-armor” issue, please? It’s weird when your butt-appendage looks taped on.)