Guild Wars 2

Ok, so here I am about to lay out a seriously noob question. Are these new elite specializations going to be must-haves or are we still going to see the regular classes/specs around once HoT goes live?

They are not going to be required.
In fact I can see situations where it would be better to NOT use then.

They are not required and they are not more or less powerful than the non-Elite specializations. They are just a new option. When activated, each Elite Spec has a new play mechanic. You switch to the Elite Spec when you select the Elite Specialization, keep in mind you can have three Specializations active at once. So your other two Specializations are still for your original class. If your character is a Ranger and you unlock the Elite Specialization Druid but you do not go to traits and select the Elite Specialization, your Ranger will still behave like a Ranger and NOT have access the Druid’s unique utility skills, weapon (Staff) and play mechanic (Celestial Avatar toggle). But once you change out one of your Specializations to the Elite Spec your character’s class changes to the Elite Spec and you can then equipt the elite classes unique weapon, skills, etc.. and the elite’s play mechanic becomes available. But if you want to go back to your favorite Ranger build you just slot one of your old Ranger Specializations in place of the Druid Elite. You can always go back and forth without cost.

It’s been said to unlock the elite specialization you’ll need 170 hero points, then another huge stack of hero points to unlock the unique skins associated with the elite spec. You can prepare by doing Hero Challenges or saving Hero Points on new characters you level up with Tomes of Knowledge

I’m sure it’ll dwindle back down once the hype is out. Look at thieves, for example, probably the most neglected class nowadays (I remember when they were once the most glorious, almost if not on par with the elementalist until the nerfs obliterated them to dust) and for most scenarios, the old spec lines would probably be better.

Thanks for the replies, folks. As a new player, I am still having a ton of fun with the old specs and the newer ones don’t really interest me, so it’s good to hear I can keep chugging along in my old spec and not be left behind.

SamTheGuardian.2938:

It’s been said to unlock the elite specialization you’ll need 170 hero points, then another huge stack of hero points to unlock the unique skins associated with the elite spec. You can prepare by doing Hero Challenges or saving Hero Points on new characters you level up with Tomes of Knowledge

Can you give a source on this? Cuz I’ve heard several different theories about this and 170 hero points is a mighty big stack.

It does depend on what class you play, they may not be required but there is the possibility that it will be requested. If it is one of the better specializations you may find yourself cast aside for someone that is running that specialization or has access and is willing to run it.

Hirosama Nadasaki.6792:

SamTheGuardian.2938:

It’s been said to unlock the elite specialization you’ll need 170 hero points, then another huge stack of hero points to unlock the unique skins associated with the elite spec. You can prepare by doing Hero Challenges or saving Hero Points on new characters you level up with Tomes of Knowledge

Can you give a source on this? Cuz I’ve heard several different theories about this and 170 hero points is a mighty big stack.

It was datamined, not said.