Guild Wars 2

I like GW2, been playing since it released, but like so many others I have come to a point where I can’t really “progress” any further. I’ve got all my ascended armour/weapons/accessories. I’ve got my character looking exactly the way I want, so I’ve no need to grind extra skins (until something is released which I like the looks of more than what I currently have equipped, but you never know when that’ll be).

I’ve heard that HoT is meant to be bringing some form of progression in but how does it work exactly? I’m not looking for WoW style treadmill grind or anything like that, that’s not what I’m saying… I just need some new form of progression to set my focus on.

Thanks guys.

Fwiw

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mastery

Also, Elite Specializations, though those don’t look to be very hard to get.

Masteries are literally the definition of horizontal progression. You do things in the world to level them, and they give you different benefits.

you can afk in guild halls instead of during open world events or in lions arch. thats huge progression in terms of gw2.

We’ll probably get some cool new jungle armor skins in the gemstore to progress our wardrobe and maybe some awesome new weapon skins.

Vanchatron.2306:

I like GW2, been playing since it released, but like so many others I have come to a point where I can’t really “progress” any further. I’ve got all my ascended armour/weapons/accessories. I’ve got my character looking exactly the way I want, so I’ve no need to grind extra skins (until something is released which I like the looks of more than what I currently have equipped, but you never know when that’ll be).

I’ve heard that HoT is meant to be bringing some form of progression in but how does it work exactly? I’m not looking for WoW style treadmill grind or anything like that, that’s not what I’m saying… I just need some new form of progression to set my focus on.

Thanks guys.

We’re getting the GW2 equivalent of WoW’s reputation grind.

In GW1, players asked for some kind of progression, so we got GW:EotN, with overpowered PvE only skills and a reputation grind.
That’s pretty much what we will have but overpowered skills should be replaced with map gated content.

ODB.6891:

Vanchatron.2306:

I like GW2, been playing since it released, but like so many others I have come to a point where I can’t really “progress” any further. I’ve got all my ascended armour/weapons/accessories. I’ve got my character looking exactly the way I want, so I’ve no need to grind extra skins (until something is released which I like the looks of more than what I currently have equipped, but you never know when that’ll be).

I’ve heard that HoT is meant to be bringing some form of progression in but how does it work exactly? I’m not looking for WoW style treadmill grind or anything like that, that’s not what I’m saying… I just need some new form of progression to set my focus on.

Thanks guys.

We’re getting the GW2 equivalent of WoW’s reputation grind.

GW1 had reputation or what they called a title track. Nothing new. Just look up the luxon/kurzick titles. Took ages to grind that to 10 million:

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Allegiance_rank

And yes, I like farming reputation. At least something to do after you hit max level.

Acinonyx Rex.8609:

That’s pretty much what we will have but overpowered skills should be replaced with map gated content.

Unless you want to assume that the content is balanced around having the combat related masteries, which makes them content gates, they are basically the equivalent of GW1’s PvE-only skills. The difference is that they’re passive and further limited to specific PvE areas. The ability to simply negate certain mechanics is fairly overpowered, plus you get to deal more and take less damage.

Gern.2978:

Masteries are literally the definition of horizontal progression. You do things in the world to level them, and they give you different benefits.

Well except they aren’t horizontal they are vertical. You can’t complete the maps without them.

But yes, as of now the only announced progression is the new rep grinds.

For people comparing mastery with reputation: No, its not the same.

Masterys are real Progression towards a specific content (Not just to give shiny skills rep-related).

I.E. – Gliding provide progression in how you use your glider, allowing you to use it for a longer time, or letting you use air to lift yourself higher.

Precursor Mastery provide a way to progress towards your legendary trough playing different ascpects of the world, and adventure trough it.

Lore Nuhoch/Itzel : Those, are the close of rep system yu are talking about, since those are really reputation masterys. But still, it gives you acesss to different map mechanics, allow you to socialize with the tribes and of course, gives you acess to unique skills/mechanics.

It is, the most well made horizontal progression I’ve seen. DIfferent from Reputation, where you farm mobs to specific raise your rep rank within a people to just gain acess to some buffs/skills, masterys provide you a focus to progress towards specific content, not even related to skills or buffs most of time.

It is, the response for progression within HoT, I personally liked it.

ZudetGambeous.9573:

Gern.2978:

Masteries are literally the definition of horizontal progression. You do things in the world to level them, and they give you different benefits.

Well except they aren’t horizontal they are vertical. You can’t complete the maps without them.

But yes, as of now the only announced progression is the new rep grinds.

Just because you need them to complete maps, it doesn’t make them vertical progression (although I will concede that some of the Masteries are vertical progression.

Horizontal progression is the opening up of options (gliding and mushroom jumping), whereas vertical progression is an increase in power (reduced condition damage and increased damage Masteries).

Make seven more characters now.

TheDaiBish.9735:

ZudetGambeous.9573:

Gern.2978:

Masteries are literally the definition of horizontal progression. You do things in the world to level them, and they give you different benefits.

Well except they aren’t horizontal they are vertical. You can’t complete the maps without them.

But yes, as of now the only announced progression is the new rep grinds.

Just because you need them to complete maps, it doesn’t make them vertical progression (although I will concede that some of the Masteries are vertical progression.

Horizontal progression is the opening up of options (gliding and mushroom jumping), whereas vertical progression is an increase in power (reduced condition damage and increased damage Masteries).

How is that any different then WoW’s progression then?

In WoW you need to gain levels in order to complete higher level zones. In GW2 you need to gain mastery levels in order to complete many areas of every zone.

In WoW you need to gain gear in order to complete harder challenges. In GW2 you need to gain additional mastery levels in order to complete harder challenges.

It seems to be exactly the same progression just under a different name. I don’t really mind, I always liked progressing, but pretending it is something completely new is kind of odd since it is exactly the same with a twist.

I do think some masteries are more horizontal progression though. Unlocking vendors, finding hidden resources/areas (that aren’t required for anything), those are pure horizontal progression. But things like gliding longer, further, higher, those could have been horizontal, but they seem to have locked many of the areas/events in places that need those masteries to access.

MauricioCezar.2673:

For people comparing mastery with reputation: No, its not the same.

Masterys are real Progression towards a specific content (Not just to give shiny skills rep-related).

I.E. – Gliding provide progression in how you use your glider, allowing you to use it for a longer time, or letting you use air to lift yourself higher.

Precursor Mastery provide a way to progress towards your legendary trough playing different ascpects of the world, and adventure trough it.

Lore Nuhoch/Itzel : Those, are the close of rep system yu are talking about, since those are really reputation masterys. But still, it gives you acesss to different map mechanics, allow you to socialize with the tribes and of course, gives you acess to unique skills/mechanics.

It is, the most well made horizontal progression I’ve seen. DIfferent from Reputation, where you farm mobs to specific raise your rep rank within a people to just gain acess to some buffs/skills, masterys provide you a focus to progress towards specific content, not even related to skills or buffs most of time.

It is, the response for progression within HoT, I personally liked it.

This^

ZudetGambeous.9573:

TheDaiBish.9735:

ZudetGambeous.9573:

Gern.2978:

Masteries are literally the definition of horizontal progression. You do things in the world to level them, and they give you different benefits.

Well except they aren’t horizontal they are vertical. You can’t complete the maps without them.

But yes, as of now the only announced progression is the new rep grinds.

Just because you need them to complete maps, it doesn’t make them vertical progression (although I will concede that some of the Masteries are vertical progression.

Horizontal progression is the opening up of options (gliding and mushroom jumping), whereas vertical progression is an increase in power (reduced condition damage and increased damage Masteries).

How is that any different then WoW’s progression then?

The main difference is that unlike higher levels and better gear, masteries do not make you stronger outside of the expansion zones.

ZudetGambeous.9573:

TheDaiBish.9735:

ZudetGambeous.9573:

Gern.2978:

Masteries are literally the definition of horizontal progression. You do things in the world to level them, and they give you different benefits.

Well except they aren’t horizontal they are vertical. You can’t complete the maps without them.

But yes, as of now the only announced progression is the new rep grinds.

Just because you need them to complete maps, it doesn’t make them vertical progression (although I will concede that some of the Masteries are vertical progression.

Horizontal progression is the opening up of options (gliding and mushroom jumping), whereas vertical progression is an increase in power (reduced condition damage and increased damage Masteries).

How is that any different then WoW’s progression then?

In WoW you need to gain levels in order to complete higher level zones. In GW2 you need to gain mastery levels in order to complete many areas of every zone.

In WoW you need to gain gear in order to complete harder challenges. In GW2 you need to gain additional mastery levels in order to complete harder challenges.

It seems to be exactly the same progression just under a different name. I don’t really mind, I always liked progressing, but pretending it is something completely new is kind of odd since it is exactly the same with a twist.

I do think some masteries are more horizontal progression though. Unlocking vendors, finding hidden resources/areas (that aren’t required for anything), those are pure horizontal progression. But things like gliding longer, further, higher, those could have been horizontal, but they seem to have locked many of the areas/events in places that need those masteries to access.

In both games they are both forms of progression. GW2 does have some vertical progression to it, but it’s mainly isolated to the base game. Every expansion in WoW has an increased level and gear cap that makes all of Legendary equipment completely useless by green level gear 2 levels later (the “gear treadmill”).

You don’t actually gain new abilities in WoW, unless they change the core ability mechanics. What you get in WoW is a new set of challenges to use your abilities against, with the new gear you grinded out.

In GW2:HoT, you unlock new abilities like gliding, jumping mushrooms, and lore stuff. Like they used examples of in the explanation, it’s like a Zelda or Metroid game where, as you play, you unlock new skills that allow you to do more.

Really, when “Veritcal Progression” is used, it means “No new skills but new gear and levels (passive)”
When “Horizontal Progression” is used, it means “No new levels or gear but new skills (active)”

The idea is that it’s opposite of the other.

Gern.2978:

Masteries are literally the definition of horizontal progression. You do things in the world to level them, and they give you different benefits.

Masteries for making precursors are literally the definition of horizontal progression. Masteries for HoT are literally the definition of vertical progression. When you are required to do something in order to progress in a map it’s vertical progression. See that Mordrem over there? You can’t kill it without 5 points in that mastery. That’s vertical progression. Other games would say you need to be in this set of armor to do this content. ArenaNet has replaced gear score with mastery score. Same vertical progression, different coat of paint. Cosmetics=Horizontal. Game Progression=Vertical Progression.

Iason Evan.3806:

Masteries for making precursors are literally the definition of horizontal progression. Masteries for HoT are literally the definition of vertical progression. When you are required to do something in order to progress in a map it’s vertical progression. See that Mordrem over there? You can’t kill it without 5 points in that mastery. That’s vertical progression. Other games would say you need to be in this set of armor to do this content. ArenaNet has replaced gear score with mastery score. Same vertical progression, different coat of paint. Cosmetics=Horizontal. Game Progression=Vertical Progression.

Not the same thing. With VP (usually gear), one’s character becomes more powerful across the entire game. Masteries are the equivalent of slapping a new stat on raid gear that allows you to hit or take hits from raid mobs without jacking up your stats. Mastery will not invalidate prior GW2 content, that’s why it’s not VP.

ZudetGambeous.9573:

How is that any different then WoW’s progression then?

I don’t recall saying it was any different.

I was just noting the difference between horizontal progression (options and tools) and vertical progression (straight out power increases).

Iason Evan.3806:

Cosmetics=Horizontal. Game Progression=Vertical Progression.

Not entirely true.

Horizontal = Options and Tools that aren’t straight-up better than one another.
Vertical = Straight up stat increases.

For example:

• The Gliding Basics Mastery and the Updraft Mastery are examples of horizontal progression. They don’t make you more powerful, but they do give you options for traversing the map and using your glider differently.
• The Thick Wings and Stronger Bindings Masteries (increase gliding time) are examples of vertical progression, since they’re a straight-up stat improvements.

It’s certainly a mix of horizontal and vertical (as always) – but its mostly horizontal because you can get to each mastery without having done the others..

It’s like being able to go to any raid – without doing any of the previous raids in WoW. But you still have to work to finish each individual raid. As usual I think Arenanet gets this right – and is the only MMO company that is doing progression in a way that allows you to easily skip or wait on content..