Guild Wars 2

Solo players cannot advance in the new content, and any decent publisher would disclose such a fundamental change prior to taking your money.

+1 every kittening event i go to you need more people the first map is like empty wtf

Soon, there will be less people and then it would be more difficult.

OP hit the nail right on the head. And the fact that Anet did not disclose that this game cannot be soloed is nothing more than corporate greed. be seeing you.

Aytheist.9476:

Solo players cannot advance in the new content, and any decent publisher would disclose such a fundamental change prior to taking your money.

where are you at? I’m decently far and so far have solo’ed every story and exploring maps. A couple of skill points have champ bosses but even solo the game allows and usually has players around also doing it. While not as easy as the core game its not impossible either. Just requires some skill.

ps: dodge and animations are more important now. Changing traits and skills too. Using more range weapons than before. Doing it on my squishy thief but having 3 bars of endurance helps ^^ We aren’t meant to just run through everything and never fail. We are suppose to learn and play better. If anything I’m enjoying the challenge.

ps2: if still having trouble I would recommend minion type classes. With the 90ish% damage reduction to minions by aoe (unless targeted) they are very strong right now and would help “solo” as they take the pressure off of you.

Chrono.6928:

We aren’t meant to just run through everything and never fail.

I never ran through most of the maps and always fought my way .. however now
i have the feeling that fighting is the wrong way because with running you have
a chance to get through, while with fighting you end up dead and have to
fight your way again until you die .. and in the end you make no progress as long
as not maybe a zerg cleared your way just some seconds before.

I prefer to play solo, and join in on whatever events I run into. One thing I’ve noticed is that most of your Mastery XP will come from events – and those events will require more people. I don’t see the events scaling down to one person killing mobs and stocking up rally points by him/herself.

The storyline you can probably solo – I haven’t had much difficulty getting from breadcrumb to breadcrumb.

Getting hero points for your elite specialization – for that you will definitely need a couple of people, at least. You’ll also need a level or two in Gliding Mastery just to reach some of them. Each hero challenge is a group event against a champion mob – you won’t be soloing those, that’s for sure.

Solo I’ve had some issues getting from Point A to B in some maps. Enemy density can be quite high in some areas of the maps. So its easy to get overrun if you are not very very careful. Especially if you are like me and want to look at the map and plan a path or get a bit confused on a path. Those couple of seconds the respawns can start popping.

Events is where I’m a bit bothered by. Even events not labeled as group events will either lead up to group events you can’t complete or is just overwhelming in enemy numbers that a solo person can struggle with it. And the amount of people I’ve seen oddly just run by an event I’m doing and not assist is more than I expected despite the need for exp.

Haven’t had too many issues getting people to complete HP when I get to them. But its a bit annoying to work you way to a spot and realize you need more people for sure. But I definitely see peoples fears for this system and trying to get HP completed on another character. I know I’m not looking forward to it.

Story is easy solo though. Haven’t had any issues at all there. But all the NPC assistance in a lot of the bigger fights is helpful as usual.

I’ve been playing the Xpack solo and with 1 friend for maybe an hour of that time and i have yet to find any content that i am unable to complete with the exception of the maps meta events.

The Hero Points (H.P) you need to advance in your elite spec. Quite a few of them spawn Champions under conditions that you CAN-NOT do solo. <—this is not up for argument it’s a fact. What’s even worse? When you amass this number of people and then come to find out the hero point is bugged.

A perfect example: Two Champions in 4 minutes. Solo? Oh no-no.

Pop a commander tag and you’ll never have to tackle content alone.

And we have a new expac here, the mobs will surprise the unwary. I got insta gibbed multiple time as I learned how to deal with them.

Full glass thief, haven’t found anything I couldn’t tackle solo outside of the big meta events and the timed champs.

There are trash mobs out in the world that will wreck you if you give them a chance.

I play solo and I am having a terrible time trying to progress. I am giving up for now.

I’m giving up, this is more like Dark Souls online then GW2, it’s a horrible experience to try and play this solo.

The shift in game style from the core game is like day and night, you go from a fun, solo casual, game to hardcore, group only in a second.

Agares.6073:

+1 every kittening event i go to you need more people the first map is like empty wtf

I ventured to Dragon’s Stand (the last map) and it was virtually dead. No map chat, no other players, no events progressing. Nothing. I stood there for the last 15 minutes of the timer, because I thought it was an event.. but I was wrong.

I wonder if there is actually something wrong with the maps?

Otherwise, I too have a difficult time solo’ing in the expansion maps. Even duo’ing is difficult due to the insane champions with arbitrary time limits.

I think there may be a bug with the megaserver system and empty maps.

The amount of CC when doing something Solo is too much. Spiking dmg everywhere without warning. 1 hit kills. long distances to travel without waypoints. vertical designed maps with bad minimap design. gated storyline with masteries needed to unlock. where are the new real jumping puzzles? new wvw is only roaming orientated. you can’t do the world events without a group. commander tag is still 300 gold, even for players who are 3y in the game.

but I do like the storyline so far!

Ill second the mega server and empty maps. I’ve been forcibly disconnected lately for no apparent reason and when logging in I come into an empty map after being just kicked from a decently full one. I think something else may be going on here.

tracysilva.7231:

I play solo and I am having a terrible time trying to progress. I am giving up for now.

I am not giving up, but I feel your pain. be seeing you.

Orontes.1650:

The amount of CC when doing something Solo is too much. Spiking dmg everywhere without warning. 1 hit kills. long distances to travel without waypoints. vertical designed maps with bad minimap design. gated storyline with masteries needed to unlock. where are the new real jumping puzzles? new wvw is only roaming orientated. you can’t do the world events without a group. commander tag is still 300 gold, even for players who are 3y in the game.

but I do like the storyline so far!

-Masteries make the distances more manageable. I think this was intentional
-Only one really bad mastery requirement, and that is being fixed
-I have found at least one jumping puzzle so far. It is in the <spoiler>-Chamber in Tahir

The CC and the high burst potential of enemies is one of my favorite things about the new maps. Forces you to rebuild in order to mitigate.

Has Anet said anything? Is this new difficulty here to stay? I would like to know if I need to start looking for a new MMO to play with friends.

Drivrius.6159:

Has Anet said anything? Is this new difficulty here to stay? I would like to know if I need to start looking for a new MMO to play with friends.

The difficulty was overwhelmingly approved of during beta test play. So much so, that when a bug caused a brief drop in difficulty to the same levels as core map, there was huge outporing of negative feedback. Anet came out and said the diffuclty nef was unintended as it was to be restored to (how it is now) for launch.

Like it or hate it, it is here to stay at least for now. What they do later down the line (ie like Orr) is another matter.

Randulf.7614:

Drivrius.6159:

Has Anet said anything? Is this new difficulty here to stay? I would like to know if I need to start looking for a new MMO to play with friends.

The difficulty was overwhelmingly approved of during beta test play. So much so, that when a bug caused a brief drop in difficulty to the same levels as core map, there was huge outporing of negative feedback. Anet came out and said the diffuclty nef was unintended as it was to be restored to (how it is now) for launch.

Like it or hate it, it is here to stay at least for now. What they do later down the line (ie like Orr) is another matter.

Dang, oh well I’ll grind the Halloween event then play something else in the hopes GW2 is casual game again…

Aytheist.9476:

Solo players cannot advance in the new content, and any decent publisher would disclose such a fundamental change prior to taking your money.

Er… Why do people keep having issues with the solo run? I didn’t have problems at all, and think I can even manage to clear the personal story without dying on my 2nd run if I do so. o_O

Drivrius.6159:

Randulf.7614:

Drivrius.6159:

Has Anet said anything? Is this new difficulty here to stay? I would like to know if I need to start looking for a new MMO to play with friends.

The difficulty was overwhelmingly approved of during beta test play. So much so, that when a bug caused a brief drop in difficulty to the same levels as core map, there was huge outporing of negative feedback. Anet came out and said the diffuclty nef was unintended as it was to be restored to (how it is now) for launch.

Like it or hate it, it is here to stay at least for now. What they do later down the line (ie like Orr) is another matter.

Dang, oh well I’ll grind the Halloween event then play something else in the hopes GW2 is casual game again…

uh… I’m a casual player and didn’t have any issues with the difficulty o-o?? It’s not impossible, it’s just a little hard that’s all

Play the game for a while. Once you know the maps better, your opinion will have some value… and you’ll realize there are plenty of ways to safely traverse the maps, and that it’s quite amazing. This isn’t Dragonvale.

If it isn’t changed to be soloable by this time next week, I’m out for good.

Masteries gated behind grind is fine. Challenging content is fine, it’s awesome, even. Having skills gated behind group content with champ mobs? No. Just no.

I have a feeling that the devs have never tried to complete this content outside of running it with other devs, all of whom know the content inside out. /facepalm

freedomgeass.4756:

I’ve been playing the Xpack solo and with 1 friend for maybe an hour of that time and i have yet to find any content that i am unable to complete with the exception of the maps meta events.

Play more

Once you encountered those escort missions on the third map with 5 veteran Cavaliers you come back and tell me how you soloed that.

Unless you have means of tons of stability you’ll end up being kicked left and right, up and down and then some.

The whole “group events” for Hero Challenges sounds like a mistake. HC’s are “one-and-done” content, unlike repeatable content fueled by random desirable drops or incremental rewards. Once the initial burst of players have their HC’s done, what happens to the late adopters, the people working on their 3rd alt, and those who took their time for whatever reason? One-and-done content that gates mechanics needs to be accessible throughout its lifespan.

Snowblind.2491:

If it isn’t changed to be soloable by this time next week, I’m out for good.

Masteries gated behind grind is fine. Challenging content is fine, it’s awesome, even. Having skills gated behind group content with champ mobs? No. Just no.

I have a feeling that the devs have never tried to complete this content outside of running it with other devs, all of whom know the content inside out. /facepalm

I agree with you, but if this nonsense is not changed by next Friday. I will uninstall GW2 and start looking for a new MMO. be seeing you.

7 hours in as a solo player:

20 hero points unlocked, level 2 on the bottom bar, still can’t use any class mechanics I paid for to enjoy in the new content.

This is going to come back and bite Anet in the rump.
The fact is, there are a lot of people that like to play solo once in while (or the majority of their time).

I stated in a another thread, they will look at their metrics and then need to decide if bringing down the difficulty to allow the xpac to be more accessible is healthy to the overall game.

Also, remember Orr – the first few months after launch?

Chrono.6928:

Aytheist.9476:

Solo players cannot advance in the new content, and any decent publisher would disclose such a fundamental change prior to taking your money.

where are you at? I’m decently far and so far have solo’ed every story and exploring maps. A couple of skill points have champ bosses but even solo the game allows and usually has players around also doing it. While not as easy as the core game its not impossible either. Just requires some skill.

ps: dodge and animations are more important now. Changing traits and skills too. Using more range weapons than before. Doing it on my squishy thief but having 3 bars of endurance helps ^^ We aren’t meant to just run through everything and never fail. We are suppose to learn and play better. If anything I’m enjoying the challenge.

ps2: if still having trouble I would recommend minion type classes. With the 90ish% damage reduction to minions by aoe (unless targeted) they are very strong right now and would help “solo” as they take the pressure off of you.

Lol. My experience don’t correspond with yours. Most of the hero points challenges are guarded by overtuned vets that will 2-3 shot a tanky build. They are technically impossible to solo. Skill is not a factor, grouping/zerging is.

Feels like Cursed Shore in 2012 – way too many mobs, they hit like 18 wheelers, the new defiance bar is useless in solo, there’s no way I can drop it all by myself, hero points that spawn a champ and another 4 mobs, as time goes by the map will be less populated by players and this makes everything else even harder.

Wanted to enjoy playing warrior again but all I did was teleport to waypoints over and over due to dying. I am now playing ranger and it feels a bit better but it doesn’t justify the game in its current state.

Raven.1524:

Aytheist.9476:

Solo players cannot advance in the new content, and any decent publisher would disclose such a fundamental change prior to taking your money.

Er… Why do people keep having issues with the solo run? I didn’t have problems at all, and think I can even manage to clear the personal story without dying on my 2nd run if I do so. o_O

Because people want to be able stand still and press 1 to kill everything. -_-

I just went tried to farm some events to get my Exalted Lore for the next story mission (story gating sucks btw).

Turned out it was impossible. Apparantly I was the only one doing events, I found events all over the map but there was not a single player doing them. And since soloing them is nigh impossible as most are scaled for entire armies, it was virtually impossible to progress.

This is going to be quite a big problem when most of the players are done with HoT and new players find themselves in near empty maps. Anet seriously needs to rethink event scaling in HoT.

HtFde.3856:

freedomgeass.4756:

I’ve been playing the Xpack solo and with 1 friend for maybe an hour of that time and i have yet to find any content that i am unable to complete with the exception of the maps meta events.

Play more

Once you encountered those escort missions on the third map with 5 veteran Cavaliers you come back and tell me how you soloed that.

Unless you have means of tons of stability you’ll end up being kicked left and right, up and down and then some.

I have done a good amount of content in all 4 of the maps granted i played through most of the 3rd map with a single friend and the 4th map solo but with a ton of others doing the events along side me i still don’t feel the maps are overly hard.

Didn’t you know?

Gee, I guess Anet forgot to tell you, end game (HoT) is all about group content (Raids, PvP, Fractals, Guilds, etc), casual PVE is Dead going forward.

GW2 Just went from a mainly casual PVE, to a group play game with this expansion, Some one wanted to put the Guild back into Guild Wars.

Funny, how they forget to tell every one!!

Here’s a trick for you (though i’m sure Anet will change this, as its advanteous to the players, and the core whiners will cry to nerf it).

Get the solo HCs you can, there are a few (wish they were marked solo/group, but thats another issue). Then go to EoTM and run with the zerg for a bit. If your new, you rank up fast and get those proof of whatever things. Trade 10 of those in with some badges and you get a scroll that finishes a random HC in magumma. If you hit all the easy HCs manually, this could be a way to get the remaining non soloable ones.

One other tip: I walked into HoT areas with my standard zerk layout. While it worked, it wasnt as efficient. I changed my melee ones to more sent/soldier/etc pieces, and that helped a bit on those (casters/range i left zerk).

I have to agree with the “This expansion is not solo-player friendly” sentiments. Despite great exotic gear (no ascended stuff, sorry) and an extremely solid spec across two different classes, I am getting my butt handed to me by the normal ‘trash mobs’.

Herds of Pocket Raptors can 2 shot me within the first 3 seconds of a fight. Mordrem Guard / corrupted Sylvari can easily 1 shot me. The Champs that get summoned at the Hero Challenge locations? Even more impossible to deal with.

To make matters worse, the exact same build and gear I was using pre-expansion in the old world is now failing to get me thru some of the same fights I could previously waltz thru with ease. Yes I will state that so far I’ve been a tad disappointed in the expansion, but my greater concern right now is trying to figure out why my Engineer suddenly can’t solo the old world stuff he could before.

Massive
Multiplayer
Online
Role
Playing
Game

Zomaarwat.3912:

Massive
Multiplayer
Online
Role
Playing
Game

Personal
Story

Zomaarwat.3912:

Massive
Multiplayer
Online
Role
Playing
Game

I’ll just qoute someone else on this as he explained it better than I could:

Massively Multiplayer Online game.
The “Massively Multiplayer” simply refers to the sheer number of people able to play the game, simultaneously.
It doesn’t suggest how they should play it.
As opposed to a single-player (or a small group) game only being capable of allowing one player (or a small group of players) to play the same game, at the same time.
It isn’t intended to imply that all, or even some, of those players have to play together, on the same side, as a group.
…and in fact, in older multiplayer games, the two, or four, people who played them together were very often playing against (not with) each other.
Of course, people can play MMOs together, on the same team and that can be great.
However, it shouldn’t be obligatory, just to experience the content and that was never what the term was invented to imply.
If it has become that way, in some games, that is mostly due to logistics and/or player requests.
It is not due to the developers trying to adhere to some made-up definition of “MMO”.

Zomaarwat.3912:

Massive
Multiplayer
Online
Role
Playing
Game

Just because a games is classified as Multiplayer, doesn’t mean you have or need, to play with others. All it means is that people are online at the same time and can interact with the world at the same time.

Sola.7250:

Didn’t you know?

Gee, I guess Anet forgot to tell you, end game (HoT) is all about group content (Raids, PvP, Fractals, Guilds, etc), casual PVE is Dead going forward.

GW2 Just went from a mainly casual PVE, to a group play game with this expansion, Some one wanted to put the Guild back into Guild Wars.

Funny, how they forget to tell every one!!

Yes, from what I have been reading the people that mainline jold and play everything hardcore 24/7 love this stuff. I was only convinced to try GW2 because it had something for everyone, including us casuals. Or should I say ‘used to have’?

I am not interested in doing jumping puzzles and such. They are here for those that want them, great. Just do not make those of us that are not spending our time here doing JPs do them now.

My baseline for being able to solo my way thru GW2 is .. GW2 itself. I can solo my way thru from level 1 to level 80, no problem. I grabbed all the Hero Points necessary for me to unlock my class abilities, all solo.

New expansion pack called “Heart of Thorns” gets announced, and I’m intrigued. New Elite Specs? I’m EXCITED! I could NOT wait, I was very eager and happy.

Now that I’ve spent the better part of three days in “Heart of Thorns”, I have to say that I am confused and a bit disappointed. The over all difference in design philosophy is so drastically different that it caused a bit of ‘culture shock’ for me, and I’m still trying to figure out exactly why they changed it so dramatically.

tokyoshoe.6308:

My baseline for being able to solo my way thru GW2 is .. GW2 itself. I can solo my way thru from level 1 to level 80, no problem. I grabbed all the Hero Points necessary for me to unlock my class abilities, all solo.

New expansion pack called “Heart of Thorns” gets announced, and I’m intrigued. New Elite Specs? I’m EXCITED! I could NOT wait, I was very eager and happy.

Now that I’ve spent the better part of three days in “Heart of Thorns”, I have to say that I am confused and a bit disappointed. The over all difference in design philosophy is so drastically different that it caused a bit of ‘culture shock’ for me, and I’m still trying to figure out exactly why they changed it so dramatically.

This is what I feel as well, its as thou they created a new game rather then continue the old one. From casual solo to hardcore group oriented.

I don’t think its hard at all… but I was a dungeonmaster way before nerfs and bought runs, and also do high level fractals so don’t think I fit into the casual crowd.

That being said can solo almost everything without trying other than meta events.

Drivrius.6159:

This is what I feel as well, its as thou they created a new game rather then continue the old one. From casual solo to hardcore group oriented.

You haven’t seen “hardcore” then. New maps are group oriented casual. If they are too hard for you – get better. Or play older maps, cuz they are easy and designed for solo play. Me, my guild, all my friends – we waited all this time for harder group oriented content. And now we are finally enjoying it!

Archy.1046:

Drivrius.6159:

This is what I feel as well, its as thou they created a new game rather then continue the old one. From casual solo to hardcore group oriented.

You haven’t seen “hardcore” then. New maps are group oriented casual. If they are too hard for you – get better. Or play older maps, cuz they are easy and designed for solo play. Me, my guild, all my friends – we waited all this time for harder group oriented content. And now we are finally enjoying it!

Compared what the core game prepared me to while doing my personal story? yes, it’s hardcore. I would play older maps if I could get my elite specs from there, but I can’t because of the ridicule amount of HPs needed.

I agree the elitist minority is loving this expansion, the casual players not so much.

Don’t believe me check the HOT Metacritic review, a 3.9 says the majority is not as happy.

Massively
Multiplayer