Guild Wars 2

I just want a ranged weapon on my gaurdian with some range that is not super weak. I love my staff and all but It would be nice to be able to attack farther away.

Warrior is obviously going to be Commando!

I want a whip. Yeah torches could open a wide variety of things, but i just don’t like most of the skins. Anyway, anything new and fun is fine.

DeceiverX.8361:

I really hope the “rifle proof” on thief isn’t a thief and is just an engineer or something.

The animations and style are so unsuited for how the class plays.

Well, the new weapons are tied to the Specializations, and the Specializations seem to re-theme the class slightly, if Druid is any indication. Rifle may not fit for “Thief”, but it might fit for how its Specialization plays. The website says Specializations also have new skills, traits, and unique mechanics, so they’re not going to just be a weapon upgrade.

Hmm also that rifle could be..and call me crazy another Ranger spec and that can be a sniper one that deals with long range utility and such.

Snowball.3497:

• Revenant – Uses a Spear (proof)

This is not a spear. A weapon in this trailer has a ball with spikes at the end of the shaft which may be a staff or a mace with very long shaft which would be in game classified as hammer. A spear would have pointed head.

I’d think a bit more simple than a lot of people seem to hope.

Pick specialization:
-You can now equip a weapon you otherwise couldn’t, in addition to your normal weapons.
-You now get access to some skill(s) you otherwise wouldn’t, in addition to your normal skills.
-Some traits have the prerequisite that you are specialization X, Y or Z before you can choose them in their respective trait line.

I would not expect an entirely new set of traits, skills and weaponskills that completely replace your normal set. And I would also not hold my breath for any big change, or any change at all, to a class mechanic.
Specializations are likely just another layer of customization, with probably no real reason to NOT specialize in something.
Don’t get your hopes up yet that each profession get’s more than one either. It’s not as “logical” as you might believe and you are setting yourself up for an epic disappointment.
arenanet has added a bunch of new things to the game that were just platforms, base mechanics, upon which further content could be added. (and rarely actually content was added)

Not to be to much of a cynic it does sound like it could be a very interesting system, but that’s really all we can hope for at this point kitten little has actually been revealed about it.

My biggest question regarding specialization: How many specializations per profession?
Otherwise I can’t really grasp anything.

I am glad to see ANET is bringing a feature-full expansion. Regarding a rifle thief? Not so much -- so as another person commented earlier, I hope it is not true.

As I mentioned in another thread, I hope ANET implements a dual-wielding 1H sword thief weapon specialization; this aligns well with an assassin/slayer/thief-style of gameplay. For now, all we can do is wait patiently as ANET continues to torture us with their new expansion developments.

I think Terrahero is onto something. . . .

“Specializations
Evolve your gameplay. With profession specializations, you’ll unlock access to a weapon previously unavailable to your profession as well as new traits, skills, and unique mechanics – all of which will transform your profession into something new.
"

yup… seems like it’s only one new weapon per class.
So PLEASE let it NOT be rifle for thieves !!!

Tabootrinket.2631:

“Specializations
Evolve your gameplay. With profession specializations, you’ll unlock access to a weapon previously unavailable to your profession as well as new traits, skills, and unique mechanics – all of which will transform your profession into something new.
"

yup… seems like it’s only one new weapon per class.
So PLEASE let it NOT be rifle for thieves !!!

I’m thinking there will be two specializations per class, like a branching path. Probably two new weapons per class.

I have a feeling they’re going into our various submoves for these specializations.

For example, Ranger will probably have Druid (Spirits), Trapper (traps), Beastmaster (shouts), Survivalist (Survival), and Archer (Signets).

That would be my guess on Specializations, we’re basically determining the line our class will specialize in. I know for a fact my Ranger will be traps and my Thief will be whatever the support setup is.

Terrahero.9358:

I’d think a bit more simple than a lot of people seem to hope.

I don’t think they will be game-changing, but it doesn’t seem to me that they would just be a new weapon and some new options.

Why? Because it really seems like there will only be one at the moment, and it would seem silly to have everyone “specialize” the same way. I admit, I could certainly be wrong, but I’m not trying to build it up, I just see a different goal with it.

They don’t sound like strict upgrades to me, but flavorful trade-offs. Druid is the Ranger Specialization we’re getting in Heart of Thorns because we’re going to the Maguuma Jungle. I see it as a way to flavor the basic archetypes that are our professions, without making culture-specific professions each expansion like Guild Wars 1 did. It’s something that they can and will expand in the future, but starts small right now.

From the other perspective though, it would seem weird to just make them a handful of new options. People are picking Ranger right now because they want to be an archer with a pet, not a Druid with a staff casting vine spells at people. You could say, just don’t use that weapon, but if a single weapon is all that makes a Druid a Druid, then it really seems like you don’t need a “Specialization” system, just more weapons. Also, there’s the “Mesmers only get two new skills?!” issue some people are worried about with them being seen with a Shield. If that’s all the Specialization was, without some other Specialization-specific tweaks (again, still not assuming anything major, but enough to create a theme), it would seem extremely underwhelming for some classes.

To put it another way, I’m imagining “Specialization” not to mean you’re just delving further into something the class already does, because that’s what Traits already are, but a way for you to “Specialize” in a unique cultural twist on your profession based on the area of the expansion. It still wouldn’t be a major reinvention, but it at least would put a new perspective on things.

Here is EXACTLY what specialization means (from limited info so far):-

Each class (so all 9 classes) will have a specialization.

A specialization will give that class a new specific weapon (pre-chosen by Anet not you), so example Ranger is getting a staff (5 new weapon skills).

You also get a new class title so Ranger becomes Druid or RangerDruid.

You get 1 new healing skill.

You get 1 new elite skill.

You get new utility skills (no one knows how many).

AFAIK that’s it, so far.

From what was mentioned it seems Specializations may also improve current weapons and utility skills.

It would be a interesting way to make Turret build useful for more content outside of PvE along with ways to improve tech skills and potion skill uses.

I’m still wondering if this system will have multiple paths since they mention it is basically a Job Advance system.

I do hope that each class gets two specialisations because if engineers get hammer, access to five new weapon skills and then mesmers with a shield only getting two, I think that’d be really unfair.

Can I just drop the guess that the other weapon for Ranger is rifle? I mean come on. They accidentally stuck a rifle in the ranger equipment box too for a time if that’s any indication.

Also mesmer better get main hand pistol or I’m going to be sad.

ranger with riffle plz.

Meglobob.8620:

Here is EXACTLY what specialization means (from limited info so far):-.

At about 37:54 in the reveal, he says that “most importantly” Druid will give Ranger “new profession mechanics” that “fundamentally change the way that Ranger plays”.

SeverelyEpic.1459:

I do hope that each class gets two specialisations because if engineers get hammer, access to five new weapon skills and then mesmers with a shield only getting two, I think that’d be really unfair.

Everything changes as soon as you change the same would go for MH skills even if shield is the only new weapon.

My specialization speculation names:

Elementalist→ Arcanist or Sage or sorcerer/ess or Wizard
Engineer→ Inventor
Necromancer→ Reaper or Warlock
Mesmer→Illusionist or Mindflayer
Thief→ Slayer, Assassin, or Sniper or Myrmidon of Fire Emblem fame
Guardian→ Spirit Master?, Paladin?
Warrior→ Barbarian or Gladiator or Pirate maybe?

Ugg, Druids. I like the idea of every other weapon choose except this one. Who wants to play some walking chanting robed bearded anachronism?

Wanderer.3248:

Ugg, Druids. I like the idea of every other weapon choose except this one. Who wants to play some walking chanting robed bearded anachronism?

The best part is they don’t even get robes. Unless Anet does something to change that

Wanderer.3248:

Ugg, Druids. I like the idea of every other weapon choose except this one. Who wants to play some walking chanting robed bearded anachronism?

People who want a group support Ranger. ;o

My personal guess is that Mesmer will get not only Shield but also another main hand weapon as well, because as already said, only two new weapon skills is rather lame. My best guess would be a MH Pistol, so you can also finally duel wield two pistols.

ZeftheWicked.3076:

I’m concerned for how specializations will mix in with base profession:

1. are they an alternate profession, with own skills, traits, equips, that does not mix with base profession? So I’m either druid or a ranger but i can’t use ranger skills as druid, or druid skills as the ranger?

2. Are they alternative sets of skills, profession mechanic and trats that does mix in with the base profession and it’s total freedom what i select?

3. Are they free for all jobs, or each stuck to one base profession? Can my engi become a druid?

4. Is there one specialization per profession or more if above is restricted?

The Druid video showed him still having his pet so I suspect it isn’t a totally different class, just a branch away from the Ranger.

Maybe specializations will allow us to toggle our profession mechanic to something new.
They’ve been talking about “petless rangers” here and there. So taking the “druid” which they announced, maybe druid is a ranger who’s profession mechanic is something other then a pet.
In the video, we saw a ranger with a pet and a staff in hand. But do we have confirmation that the new weapons are permanently tied to the specializations?
It could simply be the case that that is a staff ranger, showcasing the ranger’s new weapon, but isn’t necessarily a druid.

Isn’t that “thief” just holding a sword in the video…

Only if you think thieves will be wearing heavy armor in HoT…

Sorry if this has been already answered, couldn’t find it:

Will we be able to choose the Specialization from level 1, or only at 80, or somewhere inbetween?

Nike.2631:

Only if you think thieves will be wearing heavy armor in HoT…

omg I just looked at the photo again and realized it was boxing the norn in the background… I thought it was boxing the end of the sylvari’s weapon…LOL

Nyminett.8954:

Sorry if this has been already answered, couldn’t find it:

Will we be able to choose the Specialization from level 1, or only at 80, or somewhere inbetween?

By the sounds of it, at 80. They were talking a lot about post 80 progression, so that’s the impression I got.

Just read a post on reddit from the WP video he posted this reply giving us more info The user that posted this was weiown

http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/2tk5t2/woodenpotatoes_expansion_confirmed_heart_of/

“I spoke with Colin at the after party. Only one specialty per class at this time. It works very much like a secondary profession where you can mix and match your skills. It can also be modified any time you are out of combat. Unclear if each class is only getting one new weapon but from the ranger speciality it appears at least that the new weapons come from the new specialties.

Also, jumping into the specialty gives you new trait options however it also restricts what traits you can use. Exactly what/how wasn’t specified.
Only combos he would confirm was ranger and necro weapons already shown. Though he hinted at looking closely at the trailer for others.
Last thing before bed, no polearms. The art team had a lot of fun making look a likes but no pole arms in gw2."

If it is one per profession with more added I wouldn’t mind that having one at the beginning would give anet some information on how to implement this for future installments.

Jokubas.4265:

Meglobob.8620:

Here is EXACTLY what specialization means (from limited info so far):-.

At about 37:54 in the reveal, he says that “most importantly” Druid will give Ranger “new profession mechanics” that “fundamentally change the way that Ranger plays”.

I think this is the most interesting thing here.
If the mechanism of all classes are changed a lot, how will that affect to current “metabuilds” ?

It might be that for ele changing from current d+d meta for new specialization might force player to totally change traits,armor and trinkets…

So what I want to see are 2 things:
1) build templates
- I could define my build in some dialog
- define the specialization
- define my traits
- define my gear
2) out of combat, I could change my build template quickly

And why only 1 specialization for all classes? Because they are building all needed stuff for future upgrades.

And another big is the testing of the class balance. We will have current metabuilds and a lot of new metabuilds with new specializations: that will affect a lot in wvwvw and pvp.

So be ready to craft a second ascended armor / weapon set for your character ….

I think it will work on very simple principle of giving and taking. If you take the new spec a.k.a druid for example, you will have to sacrifice certain traits, skills and maybe even weapons of basic ranger.

I think each class will get new 5 weapon skills.
that’s why I think thieves will get rifle and mesmers will probably also get mainhand pistol “we already use pistols, so no need for new pistol traits”.

the thing is that all mesmer’s phantasms use already existing skills that are used by other classes, how would that work with shield? since we know that the phantasm is always summond by the offhand weapon!
I can’t think of any useful skill for the phantasm to use, and if that was true I doubt that the shield will be useful.

I would guess Warlock as a spec for our new Ritualist buddy, not Necromancer.

Ferever.7014:

“I spoke with Colin at the after party. Only one specialty per class at this time. It works very much like a secondary profession where you can mix and match your skills. It can also be modified any time you are out of combat. Unclear if each class is only getting one new weapon but from the ranger speciality it appears at least that the new weapons come from the new specialties.

Also, jumping into the specialty gives you new trait options however it also restricts what traits you can use. Exactly what/how wasn’t specified.
Only combos he would confirm was ranger and necro weapons already shown. Though he hinted at looking closely at the trailer for others.
Last thing before bed, no polearms. The art team had a lot of fun making look a likes but no pole arms in gw2.".

This is interesting…

So if I take a specialization for my Ranger which we know is Druid, can I swap between Ranger (as it is now) and Druid when I am outside of combat. Or once I take the specialization of Druid, will I then be a Druid forever? Which means I would after level to 80 another Ranger, just to play the traditional Ranger?

I hope you can change back and forth (when out of combat) at will. Not sure I fancy buying another 9 character slots to have all professions. Although it would give me something to do in GW2, as of now I have nothing at all I wish to do in GW2.

I just hope each profession gets more than one… Otherwise it’s not really a specialization — it’s just a maxed out base profession.

I’m sure they will get mroe than.

The real question, for me, is if its worth having one character be able to switch through specializations easily, or its better to have two characters of the same class for a specific specialization.

Noviere.7309:

I just hope each profession gets more than one… Otherwise it’s not really a specialization — it’s just a maxed out base profession.

As I said in another thread: maybe in future updates or expansions more specializations will be introduced. Which will be somewhat easier now that the system is in place. Therefore it would still make sense to already call them specializations now, even though there is only one per profession.

One spec only would be the most lame move ever.

I don’t care about GS on Necro. So no new content for my taste, more Life Force management/caster type for me?

I’ve said this before, but there might have been another weapon reveal in the trailer that’s not in the list in the OP. The segment starting here shows a girl dressed in incarnate armour with a stowed sword, which might imply that elementalist will get mainhand sword, if you’re willing to buy that mesmers — who can legitimately use both swords and the incarnate armour skin — wouldn’t normally dress like that.

This shot here might also be a reveal — the character on the right dodging through the fire is a guardian based on the use of Selfless Daring, but while I think he might be dual-wielding something, I can’t make it out.

EDIT: On further inspection, we don’t think that the asura in that scene was using selfless daring: the glow appears to be coming from the heavy he dodges past.

EDIT: And the dagger was an optical illusion. Apparently I’m on the exact opposite of a roll this week…

Snowball.3497:

Medium:

• Thief – Uses a rifle (proof)

This isn’t proof. I think a lot of people are forgetting that engineers use rifles and are medium armour.

x Charlie.4820:

This isn’t proof. I think a lot of people are forgetting that engineers use rifles and are medium armour.

It isn’t, no. I believe it’s taken as evidence because of the look that the player went for.

As far as I’m aware, even the people who make a point of dressing their female characters up in assassin armour rarely use it for engies, even though they’re eligible to wear it. Likewise, I don’t think many people would put most of the magitech set on a ranger.

In this case, I think this character is taken to look more like a thief or a ranger than an engineer, and since rangers have already had a new weapon reveal, that leaves thief.

evilunderling.9265:

x Charlie.4820:

This isn’t proof. I think a lot of people are forgetting that engineers use rifles and are medium armour.

It isn’t, no. I believe it’s taken as evidence because of the look that the player went for (in much the same way as a light-armoured female wielding a shield and doing something purple was taken to imply mesmer shields).

That was obviously a mesmer.
they’re the only light class that uses sword, and the animation for the skill looks like mesmer’s.

Abdulaziz.1496:

That was obviously a mesmer.
they’re the only light class that uses sword, and the animation for the skill looks like mesmer’s.

I was joking, although we have evidence that elementalists will gain access to sword in the expansion.

evilunderling.9265:

I’ve said this before, but there was another weapon reveal in the trailer that’s not in the list in the OP. The segment starting here shows a girl dressed in incarnate armour with a stowed sword and dagger, likely implying that elementalist will get mainhand sword, although it could also be a reveal of daggers for mesmers, swords for necromancers, or even more far-fetched possibilities.

This shot here might also be a reveal — the character on the right dodging through the fire is a guardian based on the use of Selfless Daring, but while I think he might be dual-wielding something, I can’t make it out.

I just got a time and checked the video and so STUNNED right now

I couldn’t find the dagger on that girl though, only the sword, but yeah I have a feeling that ele is gonna get a sword so kitten yeah! XD
For the second segment you show, actually that asura (the one on the right as you said?) is not the Guardian, he is something else (my guess is Warrior since he is wearing Draconic Legging at least) and probably wielding a bow, either longbow or short bow. In fact the Guardian is the girl on the left with that legendary GS

And Rytlock’s “polearm” might actually be a staff? Assessing from the sound it makes (sounds like a blunt weapon, not slash, and the edge/head is too small for a hammer)

Wait one question, this Specialization also applied to Revenant right?

Looks like you’re right. The blue glow in the video starts when the asura is mid dodge-roll, which I assumed meant that he had the Selfless Daring trait, which heals on dodge-roll, but looking again, it does look like the glow is coming from the girl, which suggests that she’s just using a random heal skill and could be basically anything.

I wonder if they choreographed that video specifically to confuse people?