Guild Wars 2

Elite specialization is definitely attractive for me and I spent my last 10 game hours one that. BUT, I only unlock 1/3 of the new specialization. Several things I need to point out in this new patch.

1. Extremely unbalanced design.
I switch to my Mesmer for HOT because I believe chronomancer is good and abandon my old good Guardian since Dragon hunter is only a trash specialization with nice name.

2. Map design is way too complex.
My friend gave up this game several days ago because of that, as he said he might pick it up when some sort of detailed guide come up. I know many players would say that complex map and exploration is what they want, however for me, my friend and many players without too much time on playing games, this map design is a disaster. I plan to do the same as my friend did.

3. Extremely hard for solo players
I play by myself now and getting really frustrated by dying so many times and unable to beat the hero challenge. For most challenges requires to defeat a monsters, u need to face a Champion tier monster and its impossible to win by yourselves.

4. Elite specialization too hard to reach
New specialization is OP compared to old specializations no doubt so that the first task is to get this specialization. However, if you do not have 100% map completion which gave u 200 skill points surplus, you will have to do (400-skill pts you have)/10 hero challenges. As a matter of fact, some of the those hero challenges are unreachable until you get a lot deeper in to the story line which take a really long time with the gating Hot set to the story line.

As a conclusion, if you fill in any of the situation: solo player, not much time playing games or new to this game. You may consider give up this game at least for now.

Now I know that everyone has their own opinion on everything, and that’s okay. But the way I see things is we all wanted a new experience, we’re getting it.

1: Unbalanced design: I have no problem with this. Just like the core game, everyone has professions and races they enjoy. If Chronomancer is good for you and Dragon Hunter isn’t, then that’s your choice. For me, I love Druid, but aren’t too fond of Revenants. That’s my decision, and everyone has theirs.

2: Map design: It adds so much versatility to the game and what we can do in it, I think it was a great choice. Yes it’s different and I can’t think of another game that did it, but it teaches and shows us something new and it’ll take some time getting used to it. I remember when I first got my glider, I had no idea it could get me to the places I’m finding myself at now.

3: Extremely hard: Anet did from the very start say this expansion would bring more challenging content. Yes soloing this expansion is hard, but that’s what they intended. You should give the first Guild Wars game a try if you haven’t yet. That game is still more complicated than what the expansion has brought me so far.

4: Elite Specialization: Anet most likely wanted us to go through the story, and explore every detail we can get before unlocking the elite specializations. I personally enjoy it, because for the first time in a while, I feel like I actually need to work to progress through the game. In the core game, you could go to any area, whenever you desired. You get your level, you get your skills. Didn’t have to work hard for it at all. In this I feel myself actually going to certain places to do something, to unlock the next portion of it, and so on. So I think the high reach for the elite specializations were a great idea.

So…. Go Anet!

Also, it’s good of you to point out how you feel about the game. I was just sharing my feelings too.

I´m actually loving the expansion now.

HoT is a nice contrast to Vanilla GW2.

Vanilla GW2 is for casuals that want a nice, relaxed experience with lots of handholding.

HoT is for people that want a challenge with less hand holding. Combat is much more intense and satisfying. It actually requires skill now and the action camera is by far the best addition to the game yet.

The combat and exploration in HoT reminds me a lot of Dark Souls.

If you like Dark Souls you will love HoT.

Dont know why everyone’s in such a rush, honestly im just taking my time enjoying the expansion. And the map verticality while frustrating at, first is something you adapt to rather fast (helps once you have the updraft use mastery), I find myself loving exploring every nook and cranny of this map