Guild Wars 2

So, on one of the images on this blog post, we can see one of the reward tracks labelled as Tempest.

Is this the new Elementalist specialisation, I wonder?

I was specifically looking for some oversight like this, and I’m pretty disappointed that I missed it, lol.

Not a bad guess, I certainly have no idea what it could mean other than that, and all the other specialization lines are there.

I saw that too. It must be the name of the new Elite Spec.

I’m speculating that “Tempest” will require the use of a hammer.

Smooth Penguin.5294:

I’m speculating that “Tempest” will require the use of a hammer.

Engineer is getting the hammer. The Elementalist weapon that was datamined is the sword.

Actually, it is a bit disturbing that there are 11 lines there, even if one is the elite spec. Consider that it is one thing to pick 3 out of 5 (or 6) trait lines, but 3 out of 11 is another matter. And ‘Signets’ as a line? Does that mean no signets at all in other lines?

Naevius.3185:

Actually, it is a bit disturbing that there are 11 lines there, even if one is the elite spec. Consider that it is one thing to pick 3 out of 5 (or 6) trait lines, but 3 out of 11 is another matter. And ‘Signets’ as a line? Does that mean no signets at all in other lines?

That is not what you’re thinking about. That screen is where you spend hero points to unlock skills/traits.

Exactly. The other lines aren’t specialization but the base skills of your profession (they gave the exemple of signets for warriors)…

So when you’re leveling your char, you’ll decide to spend hero points in a category (say signets) to get all the signets skills to choose for your utilities. It replaces the previous skill points system where you had to spend these points to acquire skills. And as skill points will be removed…

And Tempest might just be the trait line for the Elite skill “Tornado”… which is a tempest…

Naevius.3185:

Actually, it is a bit disturbing that there are 11 lines there, even if one is the elite spec. Consider that it is one thing to pick 3 out of 5 (or 6) trait lines, but 3 out of 11 is another matter. And ‘Signets’ as a line? Does that mean no signets at all in other lines?

Signets would not be a line. They addressed that there are only 5 trait lines, a 6th I suppose for the elite specialization. Those choices are for unlocking abilities, and they grouped them together by type instead of by rank. This feels a lot more organized. If you want signets sooner, focus on unlocking the signets; then you’ll have them.

The water magic skills almost match up with the number of weapon skills an Elementalist can have per attunement. Maybe that’s what is tied to it?

Andred.1087:

Naevius.3185:

Actually, it is a bit disturbing that there are 11 lines there, even if one is the elite spec. Consider that it is one thing to pick 3 out of 5 (or 6) trait lines, but 3 out of 11 is another matter. And ‘Signets’ as a line? Does that mean no signets at all in other lines?

That is not what you’re thinking about. That screen is where you spend hero points to unlock skills/traits.

Yeah I went back to re-read that. Some of the tracks are just for skills. (The GUI should distinguish them better.)

omg more builds for class ty anet.

MiniEquine.6014:

Naevius.3185:

Actually, it is a bit disturbing that there are 11 lines there, even if one is the elite spec. Consider that it is one thing to pick 3 out of 5 (or 6) trait lines, but 3 out of 11 is another matter. And ‘Signets’ as a line? Does that mean no signets at all in other lines?

Signets would not be a line. They addressed that there are only 5 trait lines, a 6th I suppose for the elite specialization. Those choices are for unlocking abilities, and they grouped them together by type instead of by rank. This feels a lot more organized. If you want signets sooner, focus on unlocking the signets; then you’ll have them.

The water magic skills almost match up with the number of weapon skills an Elementalist can have per attunement. Maybe that’s what is tied to it?

If you compare the images in the Water Magic reward track progression to the images in the Water Magic spec trait line, they match up. Leveling up the water magic reward track “unlocks” trait selection in the water magic trait line.

The reward tracks for non-trait lines will unlock utility skills for use (and maybe modifications of their function, that’s just speculation though.)

The Tempest option at the bottom is very likely for unlocking the traits within the elite specialization. So the specialization is very likely (at the moment) called a Tempest.

Its most likely the new Spec.
I was going to say could maybe be a new “Type” for some unclassified skills on Elementalist, but then i went and checked and only one Ele Skill has no type, and its a heal. So unless they reclass skills, its most likely the name for the Spec.

ReaverKane.7598:

Its most likely the new Spec.
I was going to say could maybe be a new “Type” for some unclassified skills on Elementalist, but then i went and checked and only one Ele Skill has no type, and its a heal. So unless they reclass skills, its most likely the name for the Spec.

They said all current skills will be changed to belong to an existing type.

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/specializations-part-one-a-primer/

All legacy skills will be assigned a category if they don’t already have one; for example, the engineer’s Mortar elite skill will become a kit.

RabbitUp.8294:

ReaverKane.7598:

Its most likely the new Spec.
I was going to say could maybe be a new “Type” for some unclassified skills on Elementalist, but then i went and checked and only one Ele Skill has no type, and its a heal. So unless they reclass skills, its most likely the name for the Spec.

They said all current skills will be changed to belong to an existing type.

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/specializations-part-one-a-primer/

All legacy skills will be assigned a category if they don’t already have one; for example, the engineer’s Mortar elite skill will become a kit.

Yeah, but this is an example of giving a skill without a class an existing class. It does not suggest they will be creating a new class of skill to reassign existing skills with classes to.

Weyrd.2794:

Yeah, but this is an example of giving a skill without a class an existing class. It does not suggest they will be creating a new class of skill to reassign existing skills with classes to.

Yeah, that’s what I wanted to say. All existing skills will be assigned a pre-existing category.

Also, apparently, the same will apply to new elite skills (all shouts, or all traps for example: “We’ll also be reusing old types of skills like shouts and traps to create more synergy with the Rune system.”)

So, Tempest cannot be a new category and is indeed the new elite specialization.

RabbitUp.8294:

Weyrd.2794:

Yeah, but this is an example of giving a skill without a class an existing class. It does not suggest they will be creating a new class of skill to reassign existing skills with classes to.

Yeah, that’s what I wanted to say. All existing skills will be assigned a pre-existing category.

Also, apparently, the same will apply to new elite skills (all shouts, or all traps for example: “We’ll also be reusing old types of skills like shouts and traps to create more synergy with the Rune system.”)

So, Tempest cannot be a new category and is indeed the new elite specialization.

Re-read you original post and see now that you did say that. Oops.

Also to any others, just to be sure there is no confusion, by new elite skills he means the six new ones introduced with the elite specialization (1 healing, 4 utility, 1 elite), not the specifically elite level skills.

Nowhere there does it say that the skill types will all be kept within current categories. While that’s a likely case (thus allowing for the runes to synergize), nothing says they can’t or won’t add new types (along with new runes, perhaps?).
At least not in that blog.

ReaverKane.7598:

Nowhere there does it say that the skill types will all be kept within current categories. While that’s a likely case (thus allowing for the runes to synergize), nothing says they can’t or won’t add new types (along with new runes, perhaps?).
At least not in that blog.

While true, they indirectly excluded the possibility of changing the category of skills that already have one, and currently, Eles don’t have enough typeless legacy skills to make Tempest possible.

ReaverKane.7598:

Nowhere there does it say that the skill types will all be kept within current categories. While that’s a likely case (thus allowing for the runes to synergize), nothing says they can’t or won’t add new types (along with new runes, perhaps?).
At least not in that blog.

True, but in the graphic attached to the blog post the Tempest choice is the only one not currently represent in the current system. And since there WILL be a reward track for the Elite specialization there is a strong likely hood that is what that reward track is for. It could be possible that the screen shot is from a version build where the Elementalist elite skill isn’t included yet, but I doubt it.

Elementalist ELITE Specialization is “Tempest”!!

Evidence for why I believe so:

“Profession reward tracks are packages of skills, traits, specializations, and items that will make up the new unlock system. " (First paragraph under Profession Reward Tracks)

“There will be three categories of profession reward tracks, covering core specializations, core skills, and elite specializations.” (Third paragraph under Profession Reward Tracks)

So the 3 categories are:

- Core Specializations (Current Traits)
– Core Skills
– Elite Specializations

If we look back to the picture posted by OP it lists these categories in order from top to bottom.

Core Specializations (Current Traits)
– Fire Magic
– Water Magic
– Air Magic
– Earth Magic
– Arcane Magic

Core Skills (Right Side of Hot-bar)
– Signets
– Conjuration
– Cantrips
– Glyphs
– Arcana (Arcane)

The Core Skills are everything that has to do with the right side of the hot-bar. Healing Skills, Utilities, and Elite Skills.

Every Skill is categorized into a Skill Type (even our Elite Skills).

This means the last category shown therefore must be a part of Elite Specializations.

Elite Specialization
– Tempest

So there we have it, evidence-based post showing that Tempest is the name of the Elementalist Specialization (barring any name change from Arena Net from now until HoT release).

Mar.4839:

Every Skill is categorized into a Skill Type (even our Elite Skills).

Actually not.

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/List_of_elementalist_skills#Slot_skills

Ether Renewal and Tornado both have no category and both have even some “tempest” style to it.

Neox.3497:

Mar.4839:

Every Skill is categorized into a Skill Type (even our Elite Skills).

Actually not.

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/List_of_elementalist_skills#Slot_skills

Ether Renewal and Tornado both have no category and both have even some “tempest” style to it.

Actually only Ether Renewal has no Type. Tornado is listed as a Transform, look again.

I highly doubt one line is going to just have one skill, that’s super illogical if you’re putting things into Categories. Since Fiery Greatsword is considered a Conjure and Glyph of Elementals is a Glyph it even makes less sense saving Tempest only for Tornado.

Also I don’t see how Ether Renewal feels Tempest-y at all.

Nonsense!

Tempest is no profession at all, its just a stinking normal English word for a weather effect, a strong storm (of wind normally just)… > look at Tempest Weapon Skins, = Wind Weapons

When you actually would look at what kind of things are listed up all there, one with the ability to put 1 + 1 together should quickly get it, that with Tempest isn’t meant an Elite Specialization, but most likely some kind of gameplay mechanic, that the Elementalist has…

You see first all the 5 original trait lines, that are now called Core Specializations. Then you see 1 Core Specialization for every single Utility Skill Type of the Class.

So its most likely, that tempests are simply a complete new Utility Skill type for the Elementalist Specialization where you can create then as Elementalist based on your attunement different tempest effects.

Fire Attunement = Inferno as a fire based Tempest Utility Skill
Air Attunement = Lightning Orb as an air based Tempest Utility Skill
Earth = Sandstorm as an earth based Tempest Utility Skill
Water = Blizzard as a water based Tempest Utility Skill

as the ele specialization will be most likely from what has been data mined stil lbe able to use ele,mental attunements, maybe gets a new 5th attunement, what I would guess as Ether Attunement for Arcane Powers as neutral element what would be then

Ether = Arcane Prism

For that change I simply guess, the Glyph of Storms will get removed.
Anet is merging Skill Effects, traits ect.

I find it not impossible, thta Glyph of Storms might be a glyph Skill (which rarely gets used if at all) and gets integrated with Tempest as more useful seperate Utility KSilsl under the new Term of “Tempests”, because thats what these kind of skilsl would be like, huge AoEs with environmental effects.

A Sandstorm could environmentally reduce the sight of foes.
A Blizzard could environmentally slow foes so that they can’t attack so fast anymore
A Lightning Orb could weaken foes or make them quickly alot more vulnerable while jumping from foe to foe or moving slowly around like a homing missile that continously damages nearby targets per second so that theres a dps option of those temepests
A Inferno could set foes on burning and cause torment also too through the incredible heat it creates everywhere around you, making breathign alot harder, or instead of torment posion, though all the poisonous smoke that an inferno can create. Both options would be incredibly powerful dps option,s one for direct damage, one for condition damage … whiel the other two are better support tempests

I am almost positive these are the utilities that the elite specialization uses. That suggests that the new class is some master of storms / winds.

Orpheal.8263:

Nonsense!

Tempest is no profession at all, its just a stinking normal English word for a weather effect, a strong storm (of wind normally just)… > look at Tempest Weapon Skins, = Wind Weapons

When you actually would look at what kind of things are listed up all there, one with the ability to put 1 + 1 together should quickly get it, that with Tempest isn’t meant an Elite Specialization, but most likely some kind of gameplay mechanic, that the Elementalist has…

You see first all the 5 original trait lines, that are now called Core Specializations. Then you see 1 Core Specialization for every single Utility Skill Type of the Class.

So its most likely, that tempests are simply a complete new Utility Skill type for the Elementalist Specialization where you can create then as Elementalist based on your attunement different tempest effects.

Fire Attunement = Inferno as a fire based Tempest Utility Skill
Air Attunement = Lightning Orb as an air based Tempest Utility Skill
Earth = Sandstorm as an earth based Tempest Utility Skill
Water = Blizzard as a water based Tempest Utility Skill

as the ele specialization will be most likely from what has been data mined stil lbe able to use ele,mental attunements, maybe gets a new 5th attunement, what I would guess as Ether Attunement for Arcane Powers as neutral element what would be then

Ether = Arcane Prism

For that change I simply guess, the Glyph of Storms will get removed.
Anet is merging Skill Effects, traits ect.

I find it not impossible, thta Glyph of Storms might be a glyph Skill (which rarely gets used if at all) and gets integrated with Tempest as more useful seperate Utility KSilsl under the new Term of “Tempests”, because thats what these kind of skilsl would be like, huge AoEs with environmental effects.

A Sandstorm could environmentally reduce the sight of foes.
A Blizzard could environmentally slow foes so that they can’t attack so fast anymore
A Lightning Orb could weaken foes or make them quickly alot more vulnerable while jumping from foe to foe or moving slowly around like a homing missile that continously damages nearby targets per second so that theres a dps option of those temepests
A Inferno could set foes on burning and cause torment also too through the incredible heat it creates everywhere around you, making breathign alot harder, or instead of torment posion, though all the poisonous smoke that an inferno can create. Both options would be incredibly powerful dps option,s one for direct damage, one for condition damage … whiel the other two are better support tempests

Wow….creative prediction. I disagree with you, but have to respect the creativity.

But Glyph of Storms is rarely used at all?! In what game mode are you talking about? I use it all the time, but granted I pretty much stick with only PVE.

Alexander.9810:

I am almost positive these are the utilities that the elite specialization uses. That suggests that the new class is some master of storms / winds.

Or when coming up with names for the new specializations they were like “What’s a name that would suggest a fury of the elements?” Who knows? Only anet right now.

If Tempest is the elite spec for Ele, I sure hope someone will create one and photoshop him/her into a teapot or teacup.

Is it me or does it look each profession may get 5 specializations?!

VocalThought.9835:

Is it me or does it look each profession may get 5 specializations?!

Traits are called specialization, too. It’s core specialization vs elite specialization.

If you are talking about the Cantrip, Arcana, Glyph, etc lines in OP’s image, those are all current skills of that specific type grouped up together in the same tree.

So, the use of hexagons vs. squares is interesting.

Looks like the hexagons are (fixed) minor traits and the squares are the (selectable) major traits.

What’s super interesting is there are more than 3 squares between each hexagon. Might mean there are more than 3 choices despite the other image we’ve seeon OR it may be passive bonuses unlocked along the way – particularly as there are FIVE squares after the last hexagon…

Edit: nope looked at it more closely – 3 traits and a 4th box that looks like unique weapons skin, armor skin and I dunno what the two extra boxes are in the grand master tier.

Alexander.9810:

I am almost positive these are the utilities that the elite specialization uses. That suggests that the new class is some master of storms / winds.

Well…this makes more sense than my post

You’re probably right.

Hopefully I can make my Ele into a “Firestorm Lord” by picking Tempest/Arcane/Fire Magic for my three lines… I’m betting “tempest” is more an AoE focus that can work with any attunement than a second Air path.

MiniEquine.6014:

Smooth Penguin.5294:

I’m speculating that “Tempest” will require the use of a hammer.

Engineer is getting the hammer. The Elementalist weapon that was datamined is the sword.

To be fair, as much as I want the sword to go to eles, the data mining could be left over from testing a yet to be announced 2nd or 3rd specialization.

Do I think this is the case? No, but until everything has officially been confirmed, I’m going to err on the side of not using absolutes

While you are right, we do know for a fact that Engineers will get the hammer. Whether Elementalists will get the sword or not remains to be seen.

I’m interested in seeing how sword will work for them, though. At the moment, it sounds too similar to dagger to me, but I’m eager to be proven wrong.

I think they’ll avoid giving Eles weapons that they can summon for as long as possible simply so that I can’t run around in the (theoretical) specialization that can wield greatswords with a Volcanus skin equipped making it impossible to tell if I have the summoned firesword out or just a weapon skin…

As a headstart ele, I use Sandstorm pretty often because it has one single advantage over thief and necromancer blindness AoEs: it is not a combo field. It doesn’t mess up might stacking, causes bleeding and is a constant AoE blindness. I do use Glyph of Storms with all attunements (except fire) in different ocasions, air for bosses, earth for groups of mobs, and ice for situations where slowing down is very important (e.g. Archdiviner’s last two phases).

Nike.2631:

So, the use of hexagons vs. squares is interesting.

Looks like the hexagons are (fixed) minor traits and the squares are the (selectable) major traits.

What’s super interesting is there are more than 3 squares between each hexagon. Might mean there are more than 3 choices despite the other image we’ve seeon OR it may be passive bonuses unlocked along the way – particularly as there are FIVE squares after the last hexagon…

Edit: nope looked at it more closely – 3 traits and a 4th box that looks like unique weapons skin, armor skin and I dunno what the two extra boxes are in the grand master tier.

if you have read the blog posts properly, they said they removed some traits and added them to the skill type unlock part, so when you unlock it with hero points, the functionality will become a default without a need for spending a trait on it… as an example, Necromancers wells will be ground targeted all the time when you unlock it

RabbitUp.8294:

VocalThought.9835:

Is it me or does it look each profession may get 5 specializations?!

Traits are called specialization, too. It’s core specialization vs elite specialization.

If you are talking about the Cantrip, Arcana, Glyph, etc lines in OP’s image, those are all current skills of that specific type grouped up together in the same tree.

No, I’m talking about the Elite Specs… Their not showing them now, but it looks like they have the space for it. Plus, simply doing some inductive reasoning, they have 5 core specs which have traits in them, you have 5 core skills that consist of skill tracks, and you have right now 1 elite Spec, but they said they will add more in the future. It seems to me that they may end up with 5 in the end.

That would mean they could have 5 things you could spec into if you didn’t want to be just the regular profession.

MaXi.3642:

Nike.2631:

So, the use of hexagons vs. squares is interesting.

Looks like the hexagons are (fixed) minor traits and the squares are the (selectable) major traits.

What’s super interesting is there are more than 3 squares between each hexagon. Might mean there are more than 3 choices despite the other image we’ve seeon OR it may be passive bonuses unlocked along the way – particularly as there are FIVE squares after the last hexagon…

Edit: nope looked at it more closely – 3 traits and a 4th box that looks like unique weapons skin, armor skin and I dunno what the two extra boxes are in the grand master tier.

if you have read the blog posts properly, they said they removed some traits and added them to the skill type unlock part, so when you unlock it with hero points, the functionality will become a default without a need for spending a trait on it… as an example, Necromancers wells will be ground targeted all the time when you unlock it

Which has exactly nothing to do with what I said.

Orpheal.8263:

When you actually would look at what kind of things are listed up all there, one with the ability to put 1 + 1 together should quickly get it, that with Tempest isn’t meant an Elite Specialization, but most likely some kind of gameplay mechanic, that the Elementalist has…

The live stream confirmed early on that Tempest is indeed the Elite Spec name. They then very carefully didn’t show us any of its trait line.

From whar i heard, tempest is simply a new skill type name to replace transformation skills for eles. Can somebody link to source that this is a elite specialization?

What i am confused about is that if these are all simply skill types for Ele skills, than what skills are considered Water or Fire or any other element?

if this tempest nonsense would be really the name of this specialization, then consider Tempest being the most dumbest idiotic class name ever in gaming history.

You don’t name a profession after a silyl weather effect, pardon me, but thats just totally ridiculous. Don’t want to know already now, hiow that laughable idea would just get translated into German later ….

If I will see later there such idiotic junk like “Sturmwind”, “Unwetter” or “Windsbraut” that will be absolutely immersion breaking beyond all what logic stands for, then I don’t know, if I will laugh or cry over Anet…

What will we see next then? Lightning? Snow? Hope? Vanille? Oh i forgot, thats already taken by SE that kind of naming things …
So please ANet.. just prove me wrong and be more creative than somethign like that …

Orpheal.8263:

So please ANet.. just prove me wrong and be more creative than somethign like that …

Well, Tempest has been used as a class name before, so it can’t be all that bad right?

Knighthonor.4061:

From whar i heard, tempest is simply a new skill type name to replace transformation skills for eles. Can somebody link to source that this is a elite specialization?

It was said in the live stream.

What i am confused about is that if these are all simply skill types for Ele skills, than what skills are considered Water or Fire or any other element?

The first tracks are there to unlock traits, while the latter tracks are there to unlock skills.

Orpheal.8263:

So please ANet.. just prove me wrong and be more creative than somethign like that …

Do you consider “Warrior” creative? How about “Engineer?” Or “Guardian?” Or, as you seem dismayed by naming the spec after something meaning a wild storm (which can be used metaphorically, btw, not just as a weather system … eg "A tempest of protests arose after a convicted thief was appointed to the city council), what about Mesmer? That’s named after an 18th century guy who theorized animal magnetism as a cure for illness.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Mesmer

Creativity is in the eye of the beholder.

Knighthonor.4061:

From whar i heard, tempest is simply a new skill type name to replace transformation skills for eles. Can somebody link to source that this is a elite specialization?

From what we saw actually, the elite transformation become a cantrip.

Donari.5237:

Orpheal.8263:

So please ANet.. just prove me wrong and be more creative than somethign like that …

Do you consider “Warrior” creative? How about “Engineer?” Or “Guardian?” Or, as you seem dismayed by naming the spec after something meaning a wild storm (which can be used metaphorically, btw, not just as a weather system … eg "A tempest of protests arose after a convicted thief was appointed to the city council), what about Mesmer? That’s named after an 18th century guy who theorized animal magnetism as a cure for illness.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Mesmer

Creativity is in the eye of the beholder.

I always thought Mesmer was based on the word mesmerize, given their penchant for illusions and glamours.

TheDaiBish.9735:

Donari.5237:

Orpheal.8263:

So please ANet.. just prove me wrong and be more creative than somethign like that …

Do you consider “Warrior” creative? How about “Engineer?” Or “Guardian?” Or, as you seem dismayed by naming the spec after something meaning a wild storm (which can be used metaphorically, btw, not just as a weather system … eg "A tempest of protests arose after a convicted thief was appointed to the city council), what about Mesmer? That’s named after an 18th century guy who theorized animal magnetism as a cure for illness.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Mesmer

Creativity is in the eye of the beholder.

I always thought Mesmer was based on the word mesmerize, given their penchant for illusions and glamours.

Sort of.

Mesmerism
Etymology: From French mesmérisme; so called after Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), a German physician who developed the animal magnetism theory.

Meaning: The method or power of gaining control over someone’s personality or actions, as in hypnosis or suggestion.