Guild Wars 2

I’ve been wondering this for a long time, and I seem to always get a different answer. This may also be something that’s been asked to death, but I hope not… Are individuals born with the ability to use magic and develop their abilities over time, or is it solely something that’s learned? Are some born with a natural knack perhaps, but others can still pick it up with dedicated study?

I suppose to dumb it down a bit with a D&D analogy, would casters in this world be closer to Sorcerers or Wizards, if you understand the difference there?

Somewhere in between, I would think. We don’t have much to go on, but there was one interview, I don’t remember the specifics, that said that guardians become guardians because of their faith in (insert relevant cultural aspect) or their desire to protect their comrades. Combine that with the way every profession in GW1 seemed to have a “type” and it seems to indicate that magic of a certain school is accessed through a personality trait or mental facet. For instance, necromancers seem associated with a fascination with death. Some revere it, some respect it, others glory in it, and some are just curious, but the allure is always there.

The general consensus, I think, is that magic is like any art. You can be trained in it, be taught what to do with it, and almost always will benefit from the tutelage of a more experienced mentor, but there’s a certain something that comes of having an innate knack for it, and some prodigies take to it so intuitively they need no training at all.

Aaron Ansari.1604:

Somewhere in between, I would think. We don’t have much to go on, but there was one interview, I don’t remember the specifics, that said that guardians become guardians because of their faith in (insert relevant cultural aspect) or their desire to protect their comrades. Combine that with the way every profession in GW1 seemed to have a “type” and it seems to indicate that magic of a certain school is accessed through a personality trait or mental facet. For instance, necromancers seem associated with a fascination with death. Some revere it, some respect it, others glory in it, and some are just curious, but the allure is always there.

The general consensus, I think, is that magic is like any art. You can be trained in it, be taught what to do with it, and almost always will benefit from the tutelage of a more experienced mentor, but there’s a certain something that comes of having an innate knack for it, and some prodigies take to it so intuitively they need no training at all.

That makes sense.
Man, I wish I could track down that interview! I may have to do some digging.

I believe it’s learned too.

There is a sylvari with a hammer crying, when you get out of the tutorial.

She says a dialogue in the lines of….

You: Why are you crying?
Her: Because my master said I would be a better (I forgot the profession) but I want to be a (x)
You: Be what you want to be

Yes, but the whole point of the conversation was that her mentor thought she’d be horrible at it.

Magic is like any other skill. I’ll find the interview tomarrow

edit:

Q: Is the ability to control magic innate, or is it learned? How can it be learned and what are limitations of being self-taught or simply using magic without any sort of learning?

Jeff Grubb: This is my personal feeling, but I believe the use of magic is an innate talent, and like any talent varies from individual to individual, though training will allow that talent to develop or grow. You start the game as “an elementalist” or “a necromancer”, which presumes a body of knowledge and experience, just as one has basic combat skills to be a warrior or thief. Training is possible, but like learning a language or playing an instrument, is best done when young. In game terms, alas, you can’t just decide to become a spell-caster in the middle of the game.

http://ashenfold.com/ashenfold-cartel-interview-with-jeff-grubb-and-eric-flannum/

So it sounds like something that anyone can do, but not something anyone could do well. “This is my personal feeling”… Do you think that means that ANet has/hadn’t made up their minds?

people cannot use magic who wern’t born with the ability, doesnt mean that they will choose to use it or even know if they have it (is what I’m guessing)

this was a quote from the orrian history scroll about signets “Is the land there so magical that all are born with the ability to use magic without the need for education?” which seems to imply that to use magic, one must be born with the ability as well as to learn it (could be wrong)

in my mind, magic seems to be like the bending of elements in the last airbender, some are benders, some arent

Well according to the wiki, the human gods gave magic to everyone and split it up into different schools by splitting a giant stone apart (the bloodstones). So I would say that individuals are born with or without some affinity for magic. However, magic is also learned as a skill. In the book , Zojja mentions that she taught herself a few spells, so it must be a skill that can be taught and studied as well.

I took the “Training is possible, but like learning a language or playing an instrument, is best done when young.” as saying that even though you don’t have a natural talent for it (or a natural affinity), you can still learn it with training.

The “alas, you can’t just decide to become a spell-caster in the middle of the game.” seems to be saying that lorewise, you could start learning it, but game mechanics won’t allow it.

I think that for example becoming a great necromancer, has both a spiritual and a magical side to it. The spiritual side is one of complete devotion to Grenth, and studying scripture. The magical side is one that you innately have, but can train to learn new spells. For example, we have seen that some necromancers can summon minions, that others cannot. This may simply be a matter of having learned that particular spell, but you must also have the power to invoke such a spell in the first place. We can also see that necromancers specialize in specific things. Some for example just speak to the dead, and are less concerned with summoning armies of minions. It is very much a way of life as well for these people.

It is perfectly possible for someone to have a talent for necromancy, while being devoted to Dwayna. Although I suppose you’d never become a very great necromancer that way. Faith and the magic tied to it, can be seen as a separate thing. You don’t have to worship Grenth to have the powers of a necromancer, but you’ll never be great at that way either.

Also don’t forget that in GW1 we had dual professions. So while a necromancer could never become a full fledged monk, he/she could learn monk spells and cast them with the same innate magical power. In GW1, unique powers were associated with these professions. Someone with an innate talent for necromancy would benefit from soul reaping, while someone simply learning necromancy spells could only cast the spells, but never use soul reaping itself.

I like that example. Like boxing, if you don’t have the natural born talent you can still train and become a boxer, you just might not become a great boxer. Though, there may be other factors that make you a great boxer beyond a natural talent for it.

Willpower and drive could elevate a necromancer with only a moderate talent for it into the class of great necromancers throughout history. Or his quick thinking may enable him to use his limited skill to achieve greater results. Ooo, that’s an idea for my RP background.