Guild Wars 2

As somebody who left before raids after playing all of season 1 and 2, is it worth me buying season 3 when I return to the game? How is the content in relation to the other two seasons.

I would recommend buying it, or at least buying certain episodes. The big content change in season 3 is that each episode came with a map, and buying the appropriate episode gives you access to that map as follows:

Episode 1 “Out of the Shadows”: Bloodstone Fen
Episode 2 “Rising Flames”: Ember Bay
Episode 3 “A Crack in the Ice”: Bitterfrost Frontier
Episode 4 “Head of the Snake”: Lake Doric
Episode 5 “Flashpoint”: Draconis Mons
Episode 6: Not yet out

The maps and story instances are generally speaking high-quality content, with some really impressive experimental design that does a lot to shake up the core and HoT gameplay. That said not every player has enjoyed every episode equally and I would certainly recommend some over others for players who cannot or don’t want to buy them all.

Thank you. I think I will buy them all as I really enjoyed the previous story content which was both a blessing and a curse. The wait for more every few months was painful. Do I miss out on anything for not playing them live and do they tie in to the new legendary sets?

The only things you would miss out on by not playing live are the items that were available from Black Lion Chests during the time of each patch. So in all the important ways you will get the full experience, and it’s not impossible that some of these gemstore items will come back at some point.

To my knowledge they do not relate at all to the legendary armor, and the legendary weapons that have been released alongside the last 4 episodes are available without them.

Also – remember that ep 5 is unlocked just by logging in now. To unlock the currently active episode, you don’t have to do anything more than simply logging in to a character!

Unlocking Bitterfrost Frontier/Berry farming with episode 3 is definitely worth it and would pay for itself/the rest of the episodes over time.

My favorite map added since the game launched is Draconis Mons, the one where LS3.Ep5 takes place. The ones from 3.1, 3.2, & 3.3 are also really interesting and/or fun. (Unfortunately, my least favorite map added since launch is Lake Doric, included as part of 3.4.) Draconis Mons includes on of the best masteries in the game — Oakheart’s Grasp turns you into Spiderman (yes, that friendly, neighborhood Spiderman — you get to do a lot of what a spider can).

tl;dr worth buying

I have enjoyed all of the new maps to one degree or another. There are nice uses of masteries in them and they all have a tight thematic feel. The story will be how you have liked the story up to this point; it’s more of the same. For straight up gameplay though I recommend the LS3 maps with new collections and masteries.

@OP: Why don’t you ask us again once we have played the final episode? As of now, it’s impossible to give a final statement about whether it would be worth it or not. The story went estrange.

It depends on how you feel about having easy access to an unlimited number of ascended trinkets, including some that are very nearly Legendaries.

perilisk.1874:

It depends on how you feel about having easy access to an unlimited number of ascended trinkets

Okay, you are right, there is that.

Depends, u want them for the lore and some “easy” asc trinkets? Then sure if you expect to get the same play time from it as you did with se2 (if you played it) then no.

To summarize:
- Each episode bring you around 2 hour playtime in story mode.
- Each episode give you unique map with own mastery, small meta, achievements and several gobblers.
- Each episode give you unique currency. Gathering this currency on maps can get you ascended trinkets.
- First episode gives you only trinkets in game that can be stat swapped
- Second episode gives you access to ascended backpack and earring
- Third episode gives you most easily farmable ascended backpack, breather, ring and earring
- Fourth and fifth episodes give you good access to ascended amulets

All the maps/episodes offer an ascended back item, along with usually two trinket options.
1: Amulet + Ring
2: Accessory (earring)
3: Ring + Accessory
4: Amulet
5: Amulet + Ring; this back item is a series of collections.