Guild Wars 2

Due to the fact that Elite Specs are Level 80 only and thus have no level restriction on the traits (only point restrictions) I think it would make sense for them to operate a bit differently for order of trait unlocking.

The best version of this would be if we could choose what to unlock next – whether to go toward the next trait line, or grab another one inside the trait line we’re at. If that would require too much UI reworking, then I’d be happy with the following alternative:

Instead of A, BBB, C, DDD, E, FFF

Go A, B, C, D, E, F

Then: B, D, F, B, D, F (or: Then BB, DD, FF)

Where A, C, and E are the minor traits and B, D, and F are the major traits.

This way you have a full trait line unlocked quicker. This alternative would not give you any options to choose which full line to get, unfortunately, but it also wouldn’t require any UI reworking. All that would need changing is some reordering of the unlocks in the Training panel.

Thoughts?

Isn’t that the same thing as currently existing especially since you’re now gated behind an arbitrary unlock system and if you don’t want the “basic” A/D/F, then you’re SoL?

The only way I can see that working is if you actually chose which one to unlock but that would convolute the system and also be a lot of effort/work. I like how you work your way towards the big things, because thematically it makes sense (you don’t become a master by shortcutting to the hardest thing and then looking at alternate routes).

Esplen.3940:

Isn’t that the same thing as currently existing especially since you’re now gated behind an arbitrary unlock system and if you don’t want the “basic” A/D/F, then you’re SoL?

The only way I can see that working is if you actually chose which one to unlock but that would convolute the system and also be a lot of effort/work. I like how you work your way towards the big things, because thematically it makes sense (you don’t become a master by shortcutting to the hardest thing and then looking at alternate routes).

It depends on what you view as the greater evil: an incomplete trait line or a complete trait line with non-ideal traits.

Labjax prefers having a complete trait line over an incomplete trait line even if the complete trait line would have traits that are not [all] his ideal choice.

ANet had to choose between the two methods and no method is the preferred method of all players. Some prefer the one we have now. Others prefer the one Labjax offered. Assuming of course, the chose the one you want to unlock method isn’t a reasonable choice given the limitations of the code.

It’s actually very different because you’d have a full trait line much quicker. The choice aspect would be much the same, however.

Thematically, working through all the small stuff to get big stuff may make a kind of sense. Mechanically, it makes zero, since you are already level 80 and elites aren’t even hidden behind something like masteries (e.g. there’s not even fake level restrictions to getting your elite spec unlocked… the closest to it is that some HP are hidden behind masteries, but you need only the most basic of masteries now that the HP cost is only 250… that is, if you need masteries at all… if you go full Tyria and then Maguuma, I’m not so sure you do anymore).

You see what I’m saying? Like, mechanically… the restriction of the trait path is completely arbitrary. If it was restricted by mastery level or something, then it would make sense. But it’s not.

I guess I look at it kind of like… if I am level 80, why shouldn’t I be able to go straight down the line if I want to? Like… is it supposed to be arbitrary or is it supposed to matter. I wish their minds would be made up on that.

Edit: This was directed at Esplen, to be clear.

Seera.5916:

It depends on what you view as the greater evil: an incomplete trait line or a complete trait line with non-ideal traits.

Labjax prefers having a complete trait line over an incomplete trait line even if the complete trait line would have traits that are not [all] his ideal choice.

ANet had to choose between the two methods and no method is the preferred method of all players. Some prefer the one we have now. Others prefer the one Labjax offered. Assuming of course, the chose the one you want to unlock method isn’t a reasonable choice given the limitations of the code.

Yeah, that’s a good way to put it.^^