Guild Wars 2

Dragonhunter as a specialization just feels wrong, beacuse it is very limiting.
Everyone could decide to specialize his skills to hunt dragon, it is not something Guardian specific.
Elementalists could learn to form elemental lances to shoot dragons and their minions. Bind them with the earth and wind. Freeze them in the sky. Imobilize them and other stuff.

In a world where everyone can is able to do these things a profession going into this specific direction just feels out of place.

The guadian does not have anything that makes them better suited to fight dragons and their minons .
None of their abilities is supperior in taking down any of his supposed targets.
Going again with the elementalist: “i send down hell from above, killed several Mordrem before you even pulled back your bow.”
And I am just talking about the dragonhunter part. The guardian itself has some better stuff, but the dragonhunter in his discription seems to be the hit and run type.
(I am fully aware of his AoE trap capabilites, but then there is premature trapping, which leaves some enemies unsatisfied)

Dragonhunter as a class, faction or title
Dragonhunter could work great for a title or even a faction which emerges in the world.
A title for killing X amount of dragonminions for example.

A group of specialized people who hunt down dragons and their minions. Maybe even a special group within the pact.

A class who is clearly designed around the hunt for dragons and their minions. Think the popular game Monster Hunter . A class which focuses on slow high damaging attacks and wears heavy armor for example. Someone who can take hits and dish out. Who stands in the middle of the dragon infested swarm or the direct attack of an eldar dragon.
From the mainclass they could spezialize in different directions. More tanky with shields, more offensive with greatswords or the possible future spear/lance/Gleve or more tricky with a ranged weapon or some special tools (Bazooka like the Aetherblades, Orbital laser support, etc.).

While the class idea is just something I put up from the top of my head, it would make more sense as a defined class going into a very specialized direction.

However like the revenant, this class would of course have no place in the usual timeline and would just be there “poof”, deal with it.

Mordeus.1234:

It’s going to take a rather tortured justification for why my Guardian would become a Dragonhunter and what they’d do once they become one. While I have no problem adapting my Mesmer to the Chronomancer spec because that gives me creative freedom in how I choose to use the new time magic. As far as I know there were no explicit story motivations placed on the Chronomancer?

Nope and that is the beauty of it. Timemagic was always part of the Mesmer (timewarp for example) and it is described as manipulating the mind of the enemy.
For all we know the new chrono magic is still mind manipulation on a higher level and subsequently still part of the Mesmers abilities. Just a mesmer who focuses more on that part.

Call him seraphim. just fits best. give this amor of love his nice little baby – ish bow and a naced bonus.

Gaile Gray.6029:

This merged thread contains a lot of feedback about the name Dragon Hunter. In addition, it merges a couple of polls or petitions. (Please note, the observation about forum petitions is correct: They are not something that we support or allow.)

Please keep your feedback about the name in this thread so that devs can read all your thoughts.

Thanks.

Is there any chance that perhaps the Devs could post explaining their thought process when creating the name? There must be a reason why ArenaNet settled on a name that doesn’t seem in-keeping with the rest of the profession/specialisation naming structure. It’s like calling a specialisation a “Crabgrabber” or an “Applepicker”. There is something very static and decisive about a name that doesn’t seem like it’s been made up of two words picked out of a hat.

marcel.3019:

Call him seraphim. just fits best. give this amor of love his nice little baby – ish bow and a naced bonus.

That’s… a cherub(im.)

Palador.2170:

JonPeters.5630:

A couple notes on Dragonhunter. We went with this name because we felt it was evocative of the medieval witch hunters. Guardians consider themselves protectors of the innocent. Followers of their faith be it in honor, valor, etc. The origin of the dragonhunter is a more subtle nuanced version of this. Guardians fight for justice and the dragonhunter faction believes justice is the eradication of dragons and their minions. I understand this is a lot more high concept than Mesmer but at the end of the day we felt like we wanted to try and push a more mature theme here. I hope this helps explain our thinking. We had other generic names in mind but felt like it was important to have a mix of spec names that are generic fantasy, more Tyrian fantasy, and more high concept. This one falls more in the third category.

Thanks,

Jon

I actually supported the name “Dragonhunter” up until I read this post. Honestly, if this is the reasoning behind it, it should be changed.

Given that we’re “hunting” not just the dragons but the corrupted minions as well, I’d suggest “Purifier” as a name. If you really must keep the hunter part, I’d go with “Fellhunter”.

I feel the same way. No problem with the name before the explanation, but lost my support once I read it.

The problem with “Purifier” though is that someone can be led to believe it focuses on clearing conditions.

I disagree with a lot of other names. If Dragonhunter is lazy, Sentinel is even lazier and is a stat name. It’s like naming the Ele specialization “Magi.”

In terms of matching the specialization’s actions and relationship to law and order, “Warden” is the most fitting. I wouldn’t have anything against “Dragon Warden” either.

I disagree with the whole “witch hunter” ideology towards the dragons, but using that as a starting point, I think “Vindicator” is a more impressive sounding name that evokes a sense of justice.

Sarie.1630:

Gaile Gray.6029:

This merged thread contains a lot of feedback about the name Dragon Hunter. In addition, it merges a couple of polls or petitions. (Please note, the observation about forum petitions is correct: They are not something that we support or allow.)

Please keep your feedback about the name in this thread so that devs can read all your thoughts.

Thanks.

Is there any chance that perhaps the Devs could post explaining their thought process when creating the name? There must be a reason why ArenaNet settled on a name that doesn’t seem in-keeping with the rest of the profession/specialisation naming structure. It’s like calling a specialisation a “Crabgrabber” or an “Applepicker”. There is something very static and decisive about a name that doesn’t seem like it’s been made up of two words picked out of a hat.

Just read the post that is right above this one (quotes included), and you’ll have everything from A.Net’s explanation to our general reaction

I like Dragonhunter.

I don’t like the sense of vocal minority entitlement on these forums.

Bit hard to say it is a vocal minority or even a vocal majority, bit hard to claim that with any certainty. All that is going on is user feedback in regards to the specialization name, nothing sinister.

Ezrael.6859:

I like Dragonhunter.

I don’t like the sense of vocal minority entitlement on these forums.

How is it vocal minority entitlement? We were literally asked to provide feedback and to keep the feedback of the specialization name to this thread. If anything it is rather entitled to think that just because people disagree with you about the name (no matter how popular their opinion is or isn’t) they shouldn’t voice their opinions here. I don’t like the name but I am not going to call the people who do like it the ‘vocal minority’ or ‘entitled.’

I won’t demand change or say that I hate it and it’s the worst thing ever, but I do think the name is a bit silly and even with the explanation given it doesn’t sound like something a Guardian should stand for. Everything about the Guardian has always been about support and defense. All their offense has been in the theme of that. The name “hunter” is in complete opposition of that theme. It’s like taking a Knight of the Crown, a defender of the realm, and turning him into a Crusader. His job has changed, he is no longer doing what he was originally given his title to do.

Ezrael.6859:

I like Dragonhunter.

I don’t like the sense of vocal minority entitlement on these forums.

lol
Then just try to see how people are reacting in youtube comments of Dragonhunter videos for example. This should look less biased.

Spoiler ! : a lot of people are saying that they actually don’t like it.

Anyway you just need to read some pages of this thread to realize that the arguments given by Dragonhunter defenders are not particularly developped or relevant while Anti-Dragonhunter’s arguments often make more sense. It’s not a matter of how many people are saying this or that, but what they actually say.

And most importantly a lot of people who actually like Dragonhunter are not even particularly attached to that and wouldn’t mind if it changed. That’s also really important to note.

Call them Dragonsfoil.

(Then retroactively introduce a plant named dragonsfoil that’s been around forever but most people think of as a weed and kill it whenever it sprouts, because hey, we need our rhubarb or whatever, but which has magical qualities that not only withstand but can even counter a particular plant-like dragon’s corrupting influence, and only a few people still remember [druids, maybe, or alchemists, or some other very ancient elite-type specialist that time and everyone else has all but forgotten but which, due to the circumstances at hand, is making a timely comeback] that this otherwise useless plant has these now quite desirable qualities.)

Jaken.6801:

Dragonhunter as a specialization just feels wrong, beacuse it is very limiting.
Everyone could decide to specialize his skills to hunt dragon, it is not something Guardian specific.
Elementalists could learn to form elemental lances to shoot dragons and their minions. Bind them with the earth and wind. Freeze them in the sky. Imobilize them and other stuff.

In a world where everyone can is able to do these things a profession going into this specific direction just feels out of place.

The guadian does not have anything that makes them better suited to fight dragons and their minons .
None of their abilities is supperior in taking down any of his supposed targets.
Going again with the elementalist: “i send down hell from above, killed several Mordrem before you even pulled back your bow.”
And I am just talking about the dragonhunter part. The guardian itself has some better stuff, but the dragonhunter in his discription seems to be the hit and run type.
(I am fully aware of his AoE trap capabilites, but then there is premature trapping, which leaves some enemies unsatisfied)

Dragonhunter as a class, faction or title
Dragonhunter could work great for a title or even a faction which emerges in the world.
A title for killing X amount of dragonminions for example.

A group of specialized people who hunt down dragons and their minions. Maybe even a special group within the pact.

A class who is clearly designed around the hunt for dragons and their minions. Think the popular game Monster Hunter . A class which focuses on slow high damaging attacks and wears heavy armor for example. Someone who can take hits and dish out. Who stands in the middle of the dragon infested swarm or the direct attack of an eldar dragon.
From the mainclass they could spezialize in different directions. More tanky with shields, more offensive with greatswords or the possible future spear/lance/Gleve or more tricky with a ranged weapon or some special tools (Bazooka like the Aetherblades, Orbital laser support, etc.).

While the class idea is just something I put up from the top of my head, it would make more sense as a defined class going into a very specialized direction.

However like the revenant, this class would of course have no place in the usual timeline and would just be there “poof”, deal with it.

Mordeus.1234:

It’s going to take a rather tortured justification for why my Guardian would become a Dragonhunter and what they’d do once they become one. While I have no problem adapting my Mesmer to the Chronomancer spec because that gives me creative freedom in how I choose to use the new time magic. As far as I know there were no explicit story motivations placed on the Chronomancer?

Nope and that is the beauty of it. Timemagic was always part of the Mesmer (timewarp for example) and it is described as manipulating the mind of the enemy.
For all we know the new chrono magic is still mind manipulation on a higher level and subsequently still part of the Mesmers abilities. Just a mesmer who focuses more on that part.

This post sums up my feelings on the matter perfectly.

Ojyh.9842:

It’s not a matter of how many people are saying this or that, but what they actually say.

No truer words! Regrettably, modern memetics disagrees.

I’ll just drop in my 2cents:
In my opinion (ears?) “Dragon Hunter” feels overused, maybe a bit boring even and plain.
It might be due to Skyrim that it feels stale, not sure. Maybe because we already have “Hunter” within the game and the word “hunter” echoes and makes new Guardian’s spec name feel … plain?

That’s how I feel about it – was lil’bit baffled by the name when I first read the News.
C’mon Anet, you can do better c:

I don’t like Dragonhunter, here is why :

First point:
I think this name doesn’t fit in the guardian’s archetype

Hunter is in the rogue archetype.
Guardian is in the soldier archetype.

No matter how you twist it, the “hunter” name will stay in the rogue archetype.

You can make a hunter wearing heavy armor, using mace and shield or light magic, it will always be in the rogue archetype:
“Hunter” is connoted and you can’t break this connotation just because of your background: it won’t fit better to a soldier than a rogue archetype.

Second point:
It is very hard to justify this name

Dragon is a specific enemy.
By using this prefix, you close a lot of doors.
I see a centaur attacking my allies but nope, I won’t kill it because it is set in stone: I’m a Dragonhunter/slayer/bane/knight/whatever
I got that Dragon means Evil in Tyria but Witch hunter didn’t hunt bandits or scoundrels and as I have my root in the Guardian’s archetype, I have to keep defending people from this kind of enemies (or hunt them, the main purpose of this spec).

The only way to justify that a Dragoninsertname attack something which isn’t related to Dragon is to say that you have draconic magic in the game and a specialization use this magic.
It can fit with Silvary but it won’t fit with any of the other races.

Third point:
It is a very confusing name

Dragonhunter is both generic and specific.

It’s generic because like a lot people said : we tracked mordremoth during season 2 and that make all of us dragonhunter.

It’s very specific because you gave this class a specific goal : hunting dragons (and all their minions) and like I said before, it closes doors.

Why Sentinel should prevail:

Gameplay
Sentinel adapts to the soldier archetype.
Sentinel wears heavy armour and a longbow.
Sentinel sets traps to defend his camp.
Sentinel tracks intruders.

Background
Sentinels are border guard.
During wartime however the Border guard withdraw from the Border outposts and provide assistance in a limited capacity to the country’s regular army.
Wartime assistance of the Border guard to the Army is essential as they are familiar with the local terrain having patrolled it on a daily basis during peacetime.

It makes sense:
We are in a war against mordremoth, Guardian pursue mordrem intruders from inside frontier to the maguuma jungle.
They have to specialize themselves into Sentinels, becoming familiar with jungle threats.

As a sentinel, you learned how to prepare a battleground efficiently (traps) and how to always keep an advantage on your enemies (longbow).
Moreover, your mastery in this specialization allows you to keep enemies under control until allies comes (immobilize, cripple, stun).

As as sentinel, you’re not a lonely hunter tracking dragons/enemies, you’re a part of a team.

Extra!
-There is no religious connotation.
-It is flat enough to set up the roleplay that the player want.

Death.1654:

Ezrael.6859:

I like Dragonhunter.

I don’t like the sense of vocal minority entitlement on these forums.

How is it vocal minority entitlement? We were literally asked to provide feedback and to keep the feedback of the specialization name to this thread. If anything it is rather entitled to think that just because people disagree with you about the name (no matter how popular their opinion is or isn’t) they shouldn’t voice their opinions here. I don’t like the name but I am not going to call the people who do like it the ‘vocal minority’ or ‘entitled.’

The sense of entitlement that you think you can start a whine thread about the name of the Guardian specialisation.

What if someone wants to play a Guardian in GW2 but they want the class to be called a Paladin because it better fits their RPG stereotypes in the head, should they start whine threads about that?

What if they want the Guardian specialisation to use Pistol, Shortbow, Rifle or Sword-offhand instead, should they also create a whine thread with a biased poll that says what weapon do you want the Dragonhunter to have?

Why does the specialisation name even matter? Do you currently call yourself a Zeal Honor Virtues Guardian. Or will you actually just end up saying Bowguard anyway.

One user’s whining is another user’s constructive criticism. It’s probably important to point out that there wasn’t one thread about the Guardian specialization’s name. There was actually a dozen or so, hence why they were merged into this one thread by a mod.

Best to stay on topic rather than devolve this thread into criticising user criticism, or is it whining about whining?

OtakuDFifty.2965:

In terms of matching the specialization’s actions and relationship to law and order, “Warden” is the most fitting. I wouldn’t have anything against “Dragon Warden” either.

I’m partial to “Warder” rather than “Warden.” It gets around the problem of naming a profession after a racial law keeping force, and is a bit more active. Plus, the “traps” the Elite Spec drops could easily be called “wards” instead. That moves them more into the magical area of connotation, given the long standing fantasy literature tradition of spellcasters laying down magical signs that trigger alarms, traps, etc. This could mollify those who don’t want to feel like they’re playing tweaked Rangers. And imo it flows much better from the concept of a Guardian.

Ezrael.6859:

Death.1654:

Ezrael.6859:

I like Dragonhunter.

I don’t like the sense of vocal minority entitlement on these forums.

How is it vocal minority entitlement? We were literally asked to provide feedback and to keep the feedback of the specialization name to this thread. If anything it is rather entitled to think that just because people disagree with you about the name (no matter how popular their opinion is or isn’t) they shouldn’t voice their opinions here. I don’t like the name but I am not going to call the people who do like it the ‘vocal minority’ or ‘entitled.’

The sense of entitlement that you think you can start a whine thread about the name of the Guardian specialisation.

What if someone wants to play a Guardian in GW2 but they want the class to be called a Paladin because it better fits their RPG stereotypes in the head, should they start whine threads about that?

What if they want the Guardian specialisation to use Pistol, Shortbow, Rifle or Sword-offhand instead, should they also create a whine thread with a biased poll that says what weapon do you want the Dragonhunter to have?

Why does the specialisation name even matter? Do you currently call yourself a Zeal Honor Virtues Guardian. Or will you actually just end up saying Bowguard anyway.

For someone complaining about entitlement, you seem to be on quite a high horse.

Let’s get real here, people.

They thought for months on end about the specialisations and the theme / feel they should give. Druid fits in the Jungle theme. Chronomancer fits in the Jungle theme. Dragonhunter FITS IN THE JUNGLE THEME.

Any other “protector”-like name won’t be acceptable in the current theme. I do agree that Dragonhunter is a horrid name, but the simple fact is that they won’t change it.

Feedback about a skill being too strong will probably be implemented, theme or lore concerning things will not…

Someone needs to make a graphic with a stick propping up a box over a steak and a dragon flying overhead with the caption “Dragonhunter” and “#AnetLogic” written somewhere.

Derigar.7810:

They thought for months on end about the specialisations and the theme / feel they should give. Druid fits in the Jungle theme. Chronomancer fits in the Jungle theme. Dragonhunter FITS IN THE JUNGLE THEME.

I fail to see how ‘Chronomancer’ fits in this ‘Jungle Theme’.

(Edit: As the thread was merged, thought I’d add a quote to which post I was commenting about)

Zalladi.4652:

I fail to see how ‘Chronomancer’ fits in this ‘Jungle Theme’.

Sentinel would have fit just as well and is better suited thematically for Guardian, longbow and the non-aggressive (no launch) style of their traps. And sounds a lot better.

Jungle Guy also fits the jungle theme, doesn’t mean it’s a golden pick for a specilization name…

Ezrael.6859:

Death.1654:

Ezrael.6859:

I like Dragonhunter.

I don’t like the sense of vocal minority entitlement on these forums.

How is it vocal minority entitlement? We were literally asked to provide feedback and to keep the feedback of the specialization name to this thread. If anything it is rather entitled to think that just because people disagree with you about the name (no matter how popular their opinion is or isn’t) they shouldn’t voice their opinions here. I don’t like the name but I am not going to call the people who do like it the ‘vocal minority’ or ‘entitled.’

The sense of entitlement that you think you can start a whine thread about the name of the Guardian specialisation.

What if someone wants to play a Guardian in GW2 but they want the class to be called a Paladin because it better fits their RPG stereotypes in the head, should they start whine threads about that?

What if they want the Guardian specialisation to use Pistol, Shortbow, Rifle or Sword-offhand instead, should they also create a whine thread with a biased poll that says what weapon do you want the Dragonhunter to have?

Why does the specialisation name even matter? Do you currently call yourself a Zeal Honor Virtues Guardian. Or will you actually just end up saying Bowguard anyway.

It is not about ones RPG stereotypes. If you still think that’s just what it is you better read more of the posts on this thread.
Guardian is basically a Paladin, but A.Net didn’t want to give the religious connotation of a paladin to their profession, because it only fits to the Humans. It is a good reason to not call it Paladin, so it’s fine. But the archetype is there anyway, so anybody who wants to play a paladin-like character can go for a Guardian.
What I mean is that any name choice will probably be well received as long as it makes sense.

It seems like the elite spec name will effectively replace your profession name.
At least this is how A.Net is considering things at the moment.
Dragonhunter doesn’t correspond to what a Guardian is, no matter from what angle you see that. Even from A.Net’s point of view actually. When they explain why it is named this way the explanation is absolutely not satifying.

It also thematically clashes with the Ranger.
Even if elementalist gets sword, physical skills, and a gruff aesthetic, naming it Gladiator would be clashing with Warrior.
Even if they went with a darkness/subterfuge direction for necro, naming it Assassin would be clashing with Thieves.

Besides that ANets thought process on the name does not make sense, it also doesn’t match the concept they gave at reveal. The dragonhunter is supposed to be tyria’s version of a witch hunter according to their explanation, but then apparently not according to “a ferocious big-game hunter that specializes in ranged combat and back-line support” which sells it as a monster hunter.

Jelle.2807:

Besides that ANets thought process on the name does not make sense, it also doesn’t match the concept they gave at reveal. The dragonhunter is supposed to be tyria’s version of a witch hunter according to their explanation, but then apparently not according to “a ferocious big-game hunter that specializes in ranged combat and back-line support” which sells it as a monster hunter.

Where does there explanation say that about “witch hunter”?

I can’t really see how Dragonhunter in itself is even related to the jungle.
And when you know how they explain the origins of this name and theme you clearly realize that there is no particular link with the jungle.

That topic will probably get merged with the big one or even closed…

EDIT : And it did get merged :p

Why do elite specializations have to have anything to do with the jungle?

I was under the impression the only thing they said was jungle themed was the masteries?

Arewn.2368:

It also thematically clashes with the Ranger.
Even if elementalist gets sword, physical skills, and a gruff aesthetic, naming it Gladiator would be clashing with Warrior.
Even if they went with a darkness/subterfuge direction for necro, naming it Assassin would be clashing with Thieves.

This is another big one. The name really walks over Ranger and could be pretty confusing to a new player.

CaboSoul.1204:

Zalladi.4652:

I fail to see how ‘Chronomancer’ fits in this ‘Jungle Theme’.

dancingmonkey.4902:

Jelle.2807:

Besides that ANets thought process on the name does not make sense, it also doesn’t match the concept they gave at reveal. The dragonhunter is supposed to be tyria’s version of a witch hunter according to their explanation, but then apparently not according to “a ferocious big-game hunter that specializes in ranged combat and back-line support” which sells it as a monster hunter.

Where does there explanation say that about “witch hunter”?

here you go!
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/guardian/Liked-the-ready-up-name-still-doesn-t-fit/first#post5048195

GruntSquad.1530:

dancingmonkey.4902:

Jelle.2807:

Besides that ANets thought process on the name does not make sense, it also doesn’t match the concept they gave at reveal. The dragonhunter is supposed to be tyria’s version of a witch hunter according to their explanation, but then apparently not according to “a ferocious big-game hunter that specializes in ranged combat and back-line support” which sells it as a monster hunter.

Where does there explanation say that about “witch hunter”?

here you go!
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/guardian/Liked-the-ready-up-name-still-doesn-t-fit/first#post5048195

Thanks.

Now that I have read that post. It reinforces that their reasoning seems sound to me, that that everyone complaining about the name is entitled to their opinion, but offers no better or worse justification for any other name

Seems to me like an acute case of posters incorrectly believing their subjective opinions are actually objective fact. Kind of sad really.

Derigar.7810:

Let’s get real here, people.

They thought for months on end about the specialisations and the theme / feel they should give. Druid fits in the Jungle theme. Chronomancer fits in the Jungle theme. Dragonhunter FITS IN THE JUNGLE THEME.

Any other “protector”-like name won’t be acceptable in the current theme. I do agree that Dragonhunter is a horrid name, but the simple fact is that they won’t change it.

Feedback about a skill being too strong will probably be implemented, theme or lore concerning things will not…

It’s not just a “jungle theme”. The dragon brings corruption to the area and creatures so it would seem more fitting for the guardian and the specialization to be themed off of being the “purifier” of said corruption and not just labeled as the generic “dragon slayer” person.

Please keep this thread clean folks. Offer your criticism for or against the name and focus your discussion there. Don’t let one or two posters derail the thread by responding to them in kind.

Back on topic:
I just find this specialization name cheap and unfitting for a Guardian. Many posters have given pretty detailed explanations covering just that.

Nothing sad about expressing one’s opinions. User feedback is actually a positive thing.

The explanation may satisfy you but for a great number of others it was jarring. Besides the need to have to explain the name’s origins outside of an official blogpost or media release just shows you that there is a disconnect going on with the “dragonhunter”.

CaboSoul.1204:

Zalladi.4652:

I fail to see how ‘Chronomancer’ fits in this ‘Jungle Theme’.

This Post should be merged with the others… plus its a waste of time reading this. Terrible argument, bad points, and lack of thought. There is nothing Jungle Themed about of those Spec names.

Sebulon.7683:

I fail to see how ‘Chronomancer’ fits in this ‘Jungle Theme’.

Why do elite specializations have to have anything to do with the jungle?

I was under the impression the only thing they said was jungle themed was the masteries?

dancingmonkey.4902:

Now that I have read that post. It reinforces that their reasoning seems sound to me, that that everyone complaining about the name is entitled to their opinion, but offers no better or worse justification for any other name

Seems to me like an acute case of posters incorrectly believing their subjective opinions are actually objective fact. Kind of sad really.

My stance:

I’ll still play dragon hunter, if they keep the name. Doesn’t change the fact however, that I cringe everytime, when i think about it. As a consumer, my feedback is to some value. And it looks like, its not just a couple people, who find it weird. That makes it a valid criticism!

GruntSquad.1530:

dancingmonkey.4902:

Now that I have read that post. It reinforces that their reasoning seems sound to me, that that everyone complaining about the name is entitled to their opinion, but offers no better or worse justification for any other name

Seems to me like an acute case of posters incorrectly believing their subjective opinions are actually objective fact. Kind of sad really.

My stance:

I’ll still play dragon hunter, if they keep the name. Doesn’t change the fact however, that I cringe everytime, when i think about it. As a consumer, my feedback is to some value. And it looks like, its not just a couple people, who find it weird. That makes it a valid criticism!

No one is suggesting your feedback doesn’t have value. Though I would suggest that those who state their opinion as if it were definitive fact, and make demands based on nothing more then their opinion are absolutely confusing their subjective opinion with that of objective fact.

Such methods of posting with that implication, remove the “constructive” value of any feedback and removing the value of their criticism.

“finding something weird” with it, does not prove it to be weird, or actually define it factually as weird. That is simply an opinion. The problem is many here demand, declare, or state definitively, that an arbitrary name is wrong because of their incorrectly stated opinion.

Let’s try to avoid deconstructing the motives/feedback of others. Instead let’s try to stay on topic which is about whether or not the name “Dragonhunter” is an appropriate name for the Guardian specialization.

Why we like the name or don’t, thats subjective. Wether we like the name or not, thats objective. It’s fact that for example I cringe. Others have different reactions. Also, a big portion of the comments is written in a respectful tone. This I won’t concede either.

Going back ontopic, what other argument still stands in favour of the name? In this Thread
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/guardian/Liked-the-ready-up-name-still-doesn-t-fit/first
people already explained, why Jons explanation does not make sense.

I have no objections to the Dragonhunter mechanically, from what we’ve been shown. But I am among those who aren’t enthusiastic about the name; I don’t particularly see how “holy knight with a bow and trapping skills” necessarily leads to dragons as their preferred prey.

I’d like to propose an alternative that immediately came to mind: Saggitarius.

People probably know Saggitarius best as an astrological sign, but the word is actually Latin for ‘archer’ . Some quotes from the Wikipedia articles I find apt:

“Sagittarius, half human and half-horse, is the centaur of mythology, the learned healer who forms a bridge between human beings and beasts. Also known as the Archer, Sagittarius is represented by the symbol of an arrow.”

“The Babylonians identified Sagittarius as the god Nergal, a strange centaur-like creature firing an arrow from a bow. It is generally depicted with wings, with two heads, one panther head and one human head, as well as a scorpion’s stinger raised above its more conventional horse’s tail.”

(Emphasis mine.)

Further, the association with an astrological sign brings to mind the stars, bringing with it connotations of light and flame— another good fit for the Guardian.

So, Saggitarius: A winged beast, a learned healer, an archer, and a bringer of light and flame. Sounds a lot like this Guardian specialization to me.

dancingmonkey.4902:

GruntSquad.1530:

dancingmonkey.4902:

Jelle.2807:

Besides that ANets thought process on the name does not make sense, it also doesn’t match the concept they gave at reveal. The dragonhunter is supposed to be tyria’s version of a witch hunter according to their explanation, but then apparently not according to “a ferocious big-game hunter that specializes in ranged combat and back-line support” which sells it as a monster hunter.

Where does there explanation say that about “witch hunter”?

here you go!
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/guardian/Liked-the-ready-up-name-still-doesn-t-fit/first#post5048195

Thanks.

Now that I have read that post. It reinforces that their reasoning seems sound to me, that that everyone complaining about the name is entitled to their opinion, but offers no better or worse justification for any other name

Seems to me like an acute case of posters incorrectly believing their subjective opinions are actually objective fact. Kind of sad really.

Or maybe you’re just a bit naive and unable to see where the things are wrong because it just doesn’t really matter for you.

What Jon Peters said doesn’t even get along with what the Dragonhunter reveal blog post says…
Just read what people responded to Jon, you’ll see that there are a lot of things that are debatable (this is just an euphemism).
A lot of people made very developped and objective critics alongside their subjective feelings. Just follow GruntSquad.1530 link

I can’t help my self with still finding this name inappropriate for this specialization. I’m sure that using this Guardian Spec, one could hunt a dragon, but to be called the Dragon Hunter, I’m expecting a whole different vibe. In my mind, they would have med. armor, because anything too heavy would weigh them down, and they want to be quick on their toes. Maybe using a Pole-arm with a thick blade to that can cut the beast and a large Shield to brace for any breath attacks. Traps that ensnare the dragon o that they could position them self to subdue the monster. Maybe have some earth shattering powers that maybe the largest of dragons can shake off when struck.

This Spec, although I truly love what they did with the virtues, enjoy the long bow, and like the skills…, is not a DragonHunter. This is a Herald, a Sentinel, a Seraphim, a Vanguard, a Watcher, or even a Legionnaire. Not a Dragonhunter.

I just read this from the game designer JonPeters:

“A couple notes on Dragonhunter. We went with this name because we felt it was evocative of the medieval witch hunters. Guardians consider themselves protectors of the innocent. Followers of their faith be it in honor, valor, etc. The origin of the dragonhunter is a more subtle nuanced version of this. Guardians fight for justice and the dragonhunter faction believes justice is the eradication of dragons and their minions. I understand this is a lot more high concept than Mesmer but at the end of the day we felt like we wanted to try and push a more mature theme here. I hope this helps explain our thinking. We had other generic names in mind but felt like it was important to have a mix of spec names that are generic fantasy, more Tyrian fantasy, and more high concept. This one falls more in the third category.

Thanks,

Jon"

This makes a lot more sense to me, from the lore stand point! It’s not that these Guardians are good at Hunting Dragons, it’s just what they chose to call themselves! I guess they are who they say they are, despite what they look like.

I just read the Dragonhunter revelation article and I must say that I am really, REALLY disappointed! My main is a guardian and most of the time I only play my guardian. I really like my guardian. The reason I play guardian is the lore; because I want to be a protector of the innocent and be some sort of a “holy” warrior. This whole dragonhunter thing ruins my whole image of the profession. It does not make any sense to me. It is just a wannabe ranger. The F1-F3 skills are the only things that I like about it.

So, rename it to Seraphim, Templar, Paragon or Zealot or something. The skills are fine I guess, even though I don’t like them.

Darn I’m just so disappointed, I really thought I was going to be some sort of an angel warrior and not just an every day park ranger. There’s nothing holy about dragonhunter… Argh!