Guild Wars 2

I have to say that I’m quite confused at the moment about exactly which features (particularly the mastery and specializations systems) in the HOT release will be available to all players and which will only be available to those that purchase the expansion.

All WvW and PvP content and maps will presumably be available to all.

The Playable map area, Guild halls (but not other guild content) and the ability to create a Revenant character will be exclusive to purchasers, which leave a question about all the other announced features.

Anyone care to clarify or share their thoughts on whether Legendary crafting, mastery and specializations will be available to all?

Also, how will the living story play out for those that have not purchased HOT? Presumably (judging by the last beta) the story elements are played through as part of the expansion map and all future LS releases (when it eventually does return) will be set even further into the jungle. Given that Anet has recently shown it is keen to ‘fill in’ story content (LS1 recap) for players that have missed elements, how are they going to ‘fill in’ all the HOT events for those that don’t purchase?

The only things that the non purchasers will get is the WvW map and the PvP map. Possibly they can visit the guild hall. They will not get anything else from the expansion.

No Mastery system. No Legendary crafting (that’s a mastery line). No elite specializations. No Revenant.

Mastery tracks will be part of the expansion, that’s known. No HoT, no mastery tracks.

Also, there will be QOL upgrades such a cross guild chat and the changes to guild influence and other guild related features. Non purchasers will get that. With Stronghold, I think they will get one champion. That’s about it.

Just a flesh wound.3589:

No Mastery system. No Legendary crafting (that’s a mastery line). No elite specializations. No Revenant.

I’m not so sure about elite specializations:
“Specializations are a rework of the current trait line mechanic – Elite specializations can be unlocked at level 80, but are not tied to the mastery system. Unlocking a specialization is a character-specific progression and is not account-wide”

Remember that when they were originally announced the new trait line mechanic had not yet been introduced, so I think it is feasible that the elites will be added for all players once they are ready.

Daroon.1736:

Just a flesh wound.3589:

No Mastery system. No Legendary crafting (that’s a mastery line). No elite specializations. No Revenant.

I’m not so sure about elite specializations:
“Specializations are a rework of the current trait line mechanic – Elite specializations can be unlocked at level 80, but are not tied to the mastery system. Unlocking a specialization is a character-specific progression and is not account-wide”

Remember that when they were originally announced the new trait line mechanic had not yet been introduced, so I think it is feasible that the elites will be added for all players once they are ready.

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/specializations-part-two-reward-tracks-and-elite-specializations/

For PvP:
Elite Specialization Reward Tracks
“Finally, these reward tracks unlock everything for an elite specialization: weapon, unique mechanics, skills, and traits. They’ll also reward items, including new runes and sigils, a fancy weapon skin for your new weapon type, and an armor skin for a single matching piece of armor (usually headgear or shoulders). As long as you’ve purchased Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns, you’ll automatically unlock access to all elite specializations in PvP.”

In general:
“Finally, we’re here. When we talked about rangers becoming druids and necromancers with greatswords, those were examples of what we call elite specializations. These are the brand-new level-80 specializations that will begin to introduce new weapons, mechanics, skills, and traits to existing professions in Heart of Thorns.”

In other words, the elite specialization are in the Heart of Thorns and will require purchase of the expansion to have them.

Just a flesh wound.3589:

Daroon.1736:

Just a flesh wound.3589:

No Mastery system. No Legendary crafting (that’s a mastery line). No elite specializations. No Revenant.

I’m not so sure about elite specializations:
“Specializations are a rework of the current trait line mechanic – Elite specializations can be unlocked at level 80, but are not tied to the mastery system. Unlocking a specialization is a character-specific progression and is not account-wide”

Remember that when they were originally announced the new trait line mechanic had not yet been introduced, so I think it is feasible that the elites will be added for all players once they are ready.

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/specializations-part-two-reward-tracks-and-elite-specializations/

For PvP:
Elite Specialization Reward Tracks
“Finally, these reward tracks unlock everything for an elite specialization: weapon, unique mechanics, skills, and traits. They’ll also reward items, including new runes and sigils, a fancy weapon skin for your new weapon type, and an armor skin for a single matching piece of armor (usually headgear or shoulders). As long as you’ve purchased Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns, you’ll automatically unlock access to all elite specializations in PvP.”

In general:
“Finally, we’re here. When we talked about rangers becoming druids and necromancers with greatswords, those were examples of what we call elite specializations. These are the brand-new level-80 specializations that will begin to introduce new weapons, mechanics, skills, and traits to existing professions in Heart of Thorns.”

In other words, the elite specialization are in the Heart of Thorns and will require purchase of the expansion to have them.

Thanks for that – that’s pretty clear.

Any thoughts on the living story aspect?

If they ever said about the personal story then I’ve missed it. My opinion is that while it may unlock in new purchasers Hero Panel, to actually play it will need access to the right areas. Just as some story sections were in the new maps, because that’s where the action of the story happens, this new story will be in the new maps. While a particular one may return to an old map, the bulk of it should be inaccessible unless you can get to the Heart of Thorns area.

There was a thread asking if one could log in during LS chapters to get them unlocked for free even if one did not yet have HoT, and then play them later once HoT was purchased. That was never answered.

So it remains an open question on LS as to whether you have to have HoT when a chapter is live in order to avoid paying gems for the chapter later.

Emm the PvP map and WvW map but you can’t do the guild based stuff in the WvW map also I don’t believe guild halls will be available for no HoT players as they are in the jungle I could be wrong but seeing as guild halls is in the jungle and the jungle is only available for HoT owners chances are non HoT owners can’t go to the guild halls.

I think non-HotTers can get to the halls once the halls are secured. They mentioned that part of the revised guild panel interface will include fast travel to the hall. But things like the WvW boost likely won’t be available.