Guild Wars 2

I’ve heard alot of players saying that they think the Tengu will eventually be a playable race. I’ve seen several Tengu around and heard npc conversations about them that I guess could be taken as a hint that they will eventually be playable….but that is just a matter of interpretation.

So how likely is it that the Tengu will eventually be a playable race? If so, when would it happen? In a month? A year?

I realize all any of us can do at this point is speculate. But if anyone wants to chime in on this with their opinion or prediction, feel free.

I predict that Tengu will become a playable race. They are one of the few races that is fleshed out to playable status – including polished appearance, a racial city, a distinctive culture, and a long history in the game.

Tengu WILL be a playable race. It’s not a matter of “if,” it’s a matter of “when.” They are only waiting to see if they can trust the other races.

I think it will happen in the first official paid expansion. When that expansion will come out is anyone’s guess. I’d say between a year-2 years from GW2’s launch date, which I know is a wide guess.

When/if it happens, I can’t see it just being a random monthly update. A new race will require a huge amount of voice over work, and may even require a new personal story line entirely. I mean, who knows, maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised. But I wouldn’t expect a new race until we get an expansion (or some form of new, paid content).

It would be awesome to actually have the Tengu as a playable race It gives more depth in the game.

Although getting a new race would mean plenty of voice work, animations, personal stories, NPC interaction and the like.

They ran out of time for them on release so they where not included with the others. I would guess most of the voice work has been done what is missing I have no idea. They will be released but as the others say when is up to A-net.

The noble tengu
I dreamt of their majesty
I wrote a haiku.

Ehra.5240:

When/if it happens, I can’t see it just being a random monthly update. A new race will require a huge amount of voice over work, and may even require a new personal story line entirely. I mean, who knows, maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised. But I wouldn’t expect a new race until we get an expansion (or some form of new, paid content).

To reinforce what’s being said here, adding a new race requires a great investment on ArenaNet’s part. At the very least, we’re talking writers for their personal story, voice actors for the personal stories and random banter, quality assurance regarding weapon and armor skins and clipping, animations for all class skills and new racial skills, at least a new city (shame on ArenaNet if a new race doesn’t get their own city), and hopefully their own theme (and I doubt Soule comes cheap).

That’s going to take a lot of time and a lot of money, so the chances of this kind of content being given away for nothing are virtually nil.

darkace.8925:

and hopefully their own theme (and I doubt Soule comes cheap).

Soule doesn’t work with Anet anymore. I like to think Anet cut those ties because of how their customers were treated when trying to buy the soundtrack through DirectSong (Soule’s company).

Anyway, Tengu are pretty much guaranteed. We already know where their capital is, what it is called and where the entrances are.

Bit of a shame. I personally really dislike the redesign. Would have much rather seen the Largos and what the art team could do with an underwater capital, or another original race. It would also give them a blank slate as far as lore, possible professions, skills and the like. The Tengu are already written. I can’t really imagine any huge surprises.

They will most definitely be paid expansion content and you’ll probably get 1 or 2 more character slots to go along with them.

I can see them becoming playable but what race skills would they have? Maybe a “glide” like jump we know they cant fly.

Jski.6180:

I can see them becoming playable but what race skills would they have? Maybe a “glide” like jump we know they cant fly.

There’s nothing to suggest that Tengu can even glide. They are probably completely grounded.

Duke Blackrose.4981:

Jski.6180:

I can see them becoming playable but what race skills would they have? Maybe a “glide” like jump we know they cant fly.

There’s nothing to suggest that Tengu can even glide. They are probably completely grounded.

Hmmm i guess still looks like they can move fast and jump well kind of coming at it from the Velociraptor way. Any other idea what they could do?

I move toward Kodan…

at the begining Kodan costume was just like any other tonic you drink… walk/run animation at thats it.

A few months ago if you drink a Kodan Tonic you can now run (like a player anim) and jump. Same animations as a Norn… first step for a future update? One can just wish as they are one of the best looking races

I dislike how Tengus were redesigned in GW2, they were done much better in GW1.
They were all more polished, royal-looking and realistic.
Same goes with the “new” UW creatures like Aatxe etc, they used to be scary now they are semi-transparent and purplish.

HannaDeFreitas.4236:

I dislike how Tengus were redesigned in GW2, they were done much better in GW1.
They were all more polished, royal-looking and realistic.
Same goes with the “new” UW creatures like Aatxe etc, they used to be scary now they are semi-transparent and purplish.

Agreed on Aataxe… used to be afraid of those huge minotaurs, the new ones look like summoned by low level WOW Warlock

Did they ever hint at planning to do any more races, or is all of that just speculation?

I hope they at least add a way to explain why do they all look the same after they add better and more varied models (note I say “when”, not “if” as not doing so whould be unthinkable). Like some NPCs talking how they used to have mesmers at the doors putting an illusion on them when they leave the dominion of winds.

MithranArkanere.8957:

I hope they at least add a way to explain why do they all look the same after they add better and more varied models (note I say “when”, not “if” as not doing so whould be unthinkable). Like some NPCs talking how they used to have mesmers at the doors putting an illusion on them when they leave the dominion of winds.

We don’t have anything explaining why so many human NPCs look alike, so I see absolutely no reason why we’d need something explaining why so many tengu NPCs look alike. Especially since the answer is obvious: there’s only so many resources that are going to be allocated toward creating unique looking generic NPCs.

Kimyrielle.3826:

Did they ever hint at planning to do any more races, or is all of that just speculation?

nah, mere speculation for the lulz

revodeel.2651:

I’ve heard alot of players saying that they think the Tengu will eventually be a playable race. I’ve seen several Tengu around and heard npc conversations about them that I guess could be taken as a hint that they will eventually be playable….but that is just a matter of interpretation.

So how likely is it that the Tengu will eventually be a playable race? If so, when would it happen? In a month? A year?

I realize all any of us can do at this point is speculate. But if anyone wants to chime in on this with their opinion or prediction, feel free.

I’m really excited to see Tengu as playable. It’s the only reason i’m holding off on making more alts. I might even end up deleting current characters if i see that the Tengu and their armors, aesthetic, etc…are more appealing to the theme i want to have going.

AcidicVision.5498:

darkace.8925:

and hopefully their own theme (and I doubt Soule comes cheap).

Soule doesn’t work with Anet anymore. I like to think Anet cut those ties because of how their customers were treated when trying to buy the soundtrack through DirectSong (Soule’s company).

Anyway, Tengu are pretty much guaranteed. We already know where their capital is, what it is called and where the entrances are.

Bit of a shame. I personally really dislike the redesign. Would have much rather seen the Largos and what the art team could do with an underwater capital, or another original race. It would also give them a blank slate as far as lore, possible professions, skills and the like. The Tengu are already written. I can’t really imagine any huge surprises.

They will most definitely be paid expansion content and you’ll probably get 1 or 2 more character slots to go along with them.

I don’t see any reason why BOTH Tengu and Largos couldn’t both be playable eventually. I’d prefer the Largos too, but I think Tengu will be first.

In the collector’s edition book, it was stated Tengu were on the cards as playable, but were taken out so they could focus on the other 5 races instead (?). Plus they have their own city they’ve sealed up, a fair chunk of lore based on them, I reckon it’s safe to say they’re coming it’s just the question is when.

darkace.8925:

MithranArkanere.8957:

I hope they at least add a way to explain why do they all look the same after they add better and more varied models (note I say “when”, not “if” as not doing so whould be unthinkable). Like some NPCs talking how they used to have mesmers at the doors putting an illusion on them when they leave the dominion of winds.

We don’t have anything explaining why so many human NPCs look alike, so I see absolutely no reason why we’d need something explaining why so many tengu NPCs look alike. Especially since the answer is obvious: there’s only so many resources that are going to be allocated toward creating unique looking generic NPCs.

It’s not the same 20-50 models with 1-3 color variations each on an area than 1 model with 2 color variations.

Once tengu are added as playable race and have more prominent pressence on the world, either they add more tengu all over the place, or update some of the existing ones with new models so they don’t look all the same, and explain the change.
And it would be kind of fun too.

I would like to see Tengu as a playable race, but not before Skritt.

I really doubt they’d bother explaining any change in the way Tengu look. It’s not like we have an in-world reason for why culling exists or why it’s slowly going away as they make changes to the system (well, theoretically).

Although, now that I think about it, an in-world explanation for culling WOULD be pretty fun. And for things like only being able to suffer from one burn at a time, or how you can only be bleeding from 25 places at once.

Will.9785:

I would like to see Tengu as a playable race, but not before Skritt.

I’d also like to see Tengu as a playable race, but the Skritt…..

Honestly, I think the Skritt are like WoW’s Murlocs. Some people hate them, some people love them, and some people want to play them but the developers would never actually allow that. I think every good game needs a race of creatures like that, and the Skritt are doing well on filling that role.

However, that’s just my opinion. Maybe if we hope and dream about it enough, it will actually come true ^.^

I’d love to see the Tengu as a playable race, and we did hear an Asura in Caledon forest say that they had made a deal with the Tengu to build an Asura gate for them.
As to the other possibilities, Kodan would be amazing, Skritt would be great for me, not so much other people…
But I wanna play as a Quaggan! XD

7 whole months.

After the fiasco of the Charr ? I doubt they’ll bother making them a playable race.

They are already annoyed at having to model armors for 5 races, so a sixth one isn’t really welcomed. And look at how many players play a Charr ? Why bother all of that work if barely anyone will care ?
Tengu won’t attract more players than Charr did.

I disagree. I think the Tengu will be right in there with Sylvari and Asura as far as how many people play them.

I think as soon as we see them open up some new portions of the map we will be seeing the Tengu as a playable race. I would guess that would be before the 2 year anniversary.

My concern is if they handle the Tengu armor the way they did Charr armor. With Charr you spend time selecting a great fur pattern and colors and then it gets completely covered by all except a couple of armor sets. With Tengu if you get a great selection of feather patterns and color in character selection and then cover it with long sleeves, long pants, gloves and shoes then that takes a lot of the excitement out. They might as well be humans with a beak as be Tengu then.

Plus, you can be sure the tail will clip through all armor. I bet also that their wing feathers will clip through the sleeves.

At this point it doesn’t matter what race or class they add, with the pitiful end game there isn’t much luster here.

GOSU.9574:

At this point it doesn’t matter what race or class they add, with the pitiful end game there isn’t much luster here.

Are you trying to convince yourself of this? Change other peoples minds about it? What?

AcidicVision.5498:

Bit of a shame. I personally really dislike the redesign.

Same here. Funny how the old design was at once more humanoid and more bird-like. The way the ones in Guild Wars run is very cool and bird-y. The new ones are bow-legged and otherwise oddly-proportioned.

I really have no interest in new races – the current options are fine. I would prefer they spend time on new professions and weapons/skills for existing professions. I would have zero interest in playing a bird race and really would prefer not to see other players running around as birds – bows that shoot unicorns and stuffed animal backpacks are already too much.

Yet you have people walking around as cats and this doesn’t bother you? You’re in a fantasy world where Tengu are a HUGE part of it, I mean they had a massive part to play in the GW1 story line and their fluff is well established and enjoyed by the player base.

Tengu need to be implemented. We have all the professions we need everything has been covered profession wise.

I also don’t understand your distaste for avians, considering you rarely see avian races in MMO’s at all.

Cruril Darksbane.2318:

Yet you have people walking around as cats and this doesn’t bother you? You’re in a fantasy world where Tengu are a HUGE part of it, I mean they had a massive part to play in the GW1 story line and their fluff is well established and enjoyed by the player base.

Tengu need to be implemented. We have all the professions we need everything has been covered profession wise.

I also don’t understand your distaste for avians, considering you rarely see avian races in MMO’s at all.

We were talking about Tengu, not Charr – I don’t like Charr either. Another race just slows down the rate (from practically nothing now) of new armor sets being introduced – no thanks.

Cruril Darksbane.2318:

Tengu need to be implemented. We have all the professions we need everything has been covered profession wise.

Because of the homogenized nature of the professions in Guild Wars 2, there’s literally no reason to add another profession other than “more for the sake of more”.

Am I the only one to see armor aesthetic issues with the Tengu? Not only will helms have issues of design around the beak shape and oddball head, but you’ll also negate the feathery look of them with 90% of the in-game armors. Kind of defeats the purpose, don’t you think?

Another thing to consider is that the Tengu is taking a “wait and see” stance with the races of Tyria. They’re basically sticking their nos…beaks up at everyone trying to decide if they’re “worthy” of being graced with the Tengu presence.

I’m seeing the Koden as a far more bearable (ha!) race than the Tengu. First of all is how they’ve been integrated much more into the story. They also have a more pleasing overall personality that is very much relatable with the other current 5 races.

To consider costs, Koden already have many animations and emotes in-game (just take a transformation potion and /emote to see). To make them playable would mean that large sections of the work to do so is already done, the rest is a matter of adding in lore pieces, personal story options, and a bit more. But, they still have far more progress done with Koden than they do for the Tengue.

Woah 7 months. Mega zombie thread

MacLeod.4208:

I disagree. I think the Tengu will be right in there with Sylvari and Asura as far as how many people play them.

I think as soon as we see them open up some new portions of the map we will be seeing the Tengu as a playable race. I would guess that would be before the 2 year anniversary.

Funny thing, Asura are at 16% and Sylvari at 15%. Point is : Humans will always have most of the playerbase. And adding a race that looks like a Charr but based on birds instead of cats won’t attract a significant amount of players. Especially now that we all know how Anet handles armor on non-humanoid characters.

Cruril Darksbane.2318:

You’re in a fantasy world where Tengu are a HUGE part of it, I mean they had a massive part to play in the GW1 story line

A massive part ? Only one tribe played some kind of part in Canthan’s history. The rest never did anything notable apart from being enemies.

Tengu should not exist. In fact a lot of the species should not exist.

Kodan or Largos would be more reasonable due to easier integration with armors

Well i hope tengu will be playable.At least i want to see the dominion of winds!

My guess is the first paid expansion will include both kodan and tengu as playable races, access to 2 new cities (one for each race) and new zones and focus on us going after a new dragon – maybe Jormag.

Those two races are obviously intended to be playable at some point in the future – both are humanoid and capable of wearing the same clothes and using the same weapons as the other races. The tengu have a homeland that would be perfect for a city and a starting zone which can be easily connected to existing areas (by opening the gates) and since we can’t go very far north it’d be easy to add one for the kodan too. Both also have very well developed lore.

They could explain in the storyline that the tengu were impressed with how the Pact took down Zhaitan and have decided that since the dragons threaten them too it’s time they ended their isolation and worked with other races to stop them. They could build up to it through the Living Story with mentions of tengu delegates meeting with the leaders of the other races and the heads of the Orders, and maybe have a LS style festival when the expansion launches where the people of Tyria celebrate their new allies and intent to defeat another dragon.

Adding a new race would be a lot of work, as other people have explained, so I think it makes more sense to include it in a full expansion rather than doing it separately. Plus it gives (some) people another incentive to buy it.

Having said that at some point I would really love to see an expansion focusing on underwater areas, with the largos and quaggan as playable races, underwater cities out in the ocean (maybe with some dry areas contained in giant bubbles or caves or something so we don’t have to deal with things like underwater crafting) and the underwater dragon as a main enemy.

I want to see this happen – not because I am a lore nut or anything, but because those map areas remaining unexplorable drives me INSANE.

/OCD

Oh bloody necro – sorry.

What’s a Tengu?

Azala Yar.7693:

What’s a Tengu?

Lol, exactly. I had to look it up a while back when people started whining about wanting it to be a playable race. Funny that many people play through GW2 and have no idea what a Tengu is, yet they are SO prevalent and important to the world! (yeah, sure they are…)

Azala Yar.7693:

What’s a Tengu?

Interesting… prolly because we know so little about them.

A new race won’t save this game, they should concentrate on the broken kitten first.