Guild Wars 2

I wanted to create a topic to get the community’s opinion on the current status of the PvE endgame, and their hopes for the future of the PvE in GW2. Before reading this post please keep a couple things in mind. This post is purely my opinion, so if you’re not mature enough to have a civil discussion with someone whose opinion may not agree with yours, then please do not post. I’m currently sitting at ~150 hours, and I don’t have a single 80 yet. I currently have a 65 ele and a 40 ranger. Why do I mention this? I feel like it’s important since I personally haven’t experienced the end game myself, so this post is purely based on what I’ve researched and from talking to the people who are currently 80 in my guild. (We have 300+ members with easily 100 or more at 80, so the pool of opinions I’ve gotten is quite large.) And also to show that I’m not someone who rushed to 80 in the pre-release weekend thinking this was a typical MMO. I actually agree with the statement that the game begins at level 1, but it also shouldn’t end at 80. Even though the game starts at level 1, players will spend most of their time at level cap. If progression ends at 80, players can only entertain themselves for so long. And yes I will be comparing this game to World of Warcraft. I haven’t played WoW in over 3 years, but there is a reason why it has been the top MMO for almost a decade.

Plain and simple, people enjoy progression. Call it a carrot on a stick or whatever you want, but people enjoy getting better skill wise and gear wise, and being able to tackle a dungeon or raid that they previously could not. Loot has been one of the most important factors of MMO’s and RPG’s in general, and this is where I feel GW2 is at it’s worst. Let me just say I love everything about this game so far, especially the difficulty of the dungeons I’ve done. Explorable mode is a true challenge, and one that I look forward to overcoming, but the rewards for doing so at this point are severely lacking. But Merc, you should do it because you want to, not for some virtual reward! What’s wrong with wanting an awesome piece of loot that makes your character not only look awesome but also far more powerful. Hasn’t that been the basis of RPG’s for years? This is where I want to bring in exotic gear. One of the major problems with it in my opinion is that each dungeon drops separate tokens, and each piece of gear costs 100’s of tokens. What does that mean? I have to grind the same dungeon for 100’s and 100’s of tokens to get gear……mostly for looks? And then what do I do with said gear? Sit in Lion’s Arch and screenshot my character for Facebook?

So how do you guys feel about the current status of PvE, and are you hoping for a more progression based model in the future?

Also like I said I haven’t experienced end game myself, so if I’m completely wrong in my assumptions please let me know, just please try to keep it civil. Respect my opinion and I’ll respect yours. Thanks!

To be honest, if the game is built around entirely on gear progression and loot, then I don’t think its a good game because it just means other areas of the game are simply not good enough to enjoy. MMOs and RPGs need to get away from this to avoid the stigma around progression, otherwise, the only way for them to survive as a game is constant updates. I’d rather have one single complete solid game that will last me for many years, than a game that will only last due to constant updates.

Vanity is also not an issue. Nearly everyone on this planet is vain. Games such as TF2, LoL and GW1 prove that abusing vanity DOES sell. It doesn’t hurt the game, just the player if he/she is vain enough to care.

There is also a lot of problems with adding gear that makes you substantially stronger: it makes everyone else who doesn’t get the same gear weaker. This effects everything in the game and just as many people who like the statistics over skill model, there are just as many who hate it. Eventually, groups ask for only top-geared players only to handle dungeons and only top-geared players to tackle PvP.

Personally, I walked in with a preconception I carried over from GW1. In terms of rewarding the player with cosmetic appeal, I felt GW1 did this much better in this regard. Right now, you have to work in order to attain a basic full set of unruned exotic armour and accessories which is very much unlike GW1 where you could attain a full set of basic max stat gear that looked terrible at about half way through the game. If you wanted to look better, it was optional, on par with all armours at max level and required a lot of time and effort.

Right now, I think the token costs for the armour is far too much and at the very least the token system should work for all dungeons if the pieces costs that much. Running a single dungeon 50+ times is an extremely dull gameplay element to include in the game.

To be honest, GW2’s strongest aspect is the leveling progression from 1 to 80 but suffers quite a bit during endgame because it starts to become too much of a traditional MMO with all the grinding aspects instead of being simply a great game.

I’m not quite 80 yet, but I’m taking my time going short and sweet and doing more world exploration rather than event farming, story progression, dungeons, etc. I would definitely like to see a progression-type dungeon tier. Almost how you need to complete Story mode to get into Explorer mode, but one a little more advanced for the 80’s that offer an even tougher challenge than Explorer mode parts can offer. Something akin to maybe a 5 person raid, or a lockout timer from doing that portion if you fail X times, etc. Or maybe a quest that starts outside the dungeons, then takes you through each of them, offering a one-time unique reward. Something like that. At the moment, I still can’t complain because I haven’t hit that tier yet, and haven’t seen how rough 80 Explorer mode can be.

What else do you do with gear in WoW except sit in Oggrimmar and jump around until the raid resets? Then what? It is literally the same thing just without stats.

What we need is WvW progression not pve.

FootDive.3451:

… There is also a lot of problems with adding gear that makes you substantially stronger: it makes everyone else who doesn’t get the same gear weaker. This effects everything in the game and just as many people who like the statistics over skill model, there are just as many who hate it. Eventually, groups ask for only top-geared players only to handle dungeons and only top-geared players to tackle PvP…

…To be honest, GW2’s strongest aspect is the leveling progression from 1 to 80 but suffers quite a bit during endgame because it starts to become too much of a traditional MMO with all the grinding aspects instead of being simply a great game.

I only played GW1 for about a week, but I agree with you 100%. This game should not be WOW nor should it try to mimic WOW’s grear-treadmill. There are plenty of gear-progression MMOs out there let’s GW2 be GW2.

Gear progression can be a rewarding experience – but it’s like how both cake and ice cream are delicious.

Not every game needs to be “ice cream”. A game can be cake instead and still be delicious.

They’re different and appeal to different people. And that’s okay.

I think games are meant mostly to be playing experiences, and not any type of job.
I really wanted to play a game like this, a RPG where you do have progression (your levels), but even if you hit the cap, you’ll still be playing it because of the adventures (read: experiences).

Anyone who played an old RPG book before can tell, people didn’t play to get to the level cap and to farm (what a word) for the most epic gear. They were playing it just for fun.

And thankfully GW2 so far has given me such great experience. I just hope they keep adding more and more because I kinda play too much and I’ll be out of things to do pretty soon in this rate >_<

The problem is that this game keeps getting compared to WoW. The thing is this game is not trying to be WoW and that’s exactly what I like about it.

You know thats why almost every mmo fails.
Eighter copying wow and serving nothing original or not copying wow just for the sake of it and serving 0 content like this game.

The problem isn’t whether it’s copying some game or not. Nearly every MMO can be compared to one of it’s predecessor MMO’s in one aspect or another. WoW just happens to be where a large majority of players came from and it’s still testing the waters, comparing one like to another.

I’ve been level 80 for about a week and a half now and I can say honestly that there’s an endgame. the endgame is simply what you’ve been doing all along and loving since lvl 1, WvW, dungeons which in explorable mode can be very challenging. I will admit the fact that there’s no desirable loot in dungeons is not great, but what I would like to see is dungeons like in gw1 where each had a rare wep skin ( because that is in fact what gw gear is about, SKINS), for example there was the frog scepter, the obby edge, crystalline, draconic shield, things like these would really take the endgame further beyond.

eladox.3457:

What we need is WvW progression not pve.

Darkness Falls please.

########This is only my opinion, so please don’t take offence – only my take on PvE#######

I’ve never been big on PvP – and possibly that’s one of the reasons I’m struggling to really like the format of GW2.

I’m also nowhere near lvl 80 yet – so maybe the PvE aspects of GW2 will improve over time – but at the moment it’s struggling to really grab my attention……………….only my view, but I’ll explain why.

Having played RPG’s since Planescape Torment, through Baldurs Gate, Diablo, Neverwinter Nights etc, the beauty was an engaging game PvE wise, with a great storyline to back it up.
Even now I’ll occasionally reinstall some of these old games, just to play through with well loved companions.

And even with Guild Wars 1, there was a great storyline evident throughout each instalment – and like other RPG’s, you could choose heroes and henchmen to make the game more interesting – each character having a background story played out throughout the game.

GW2 is a beautiful game – lush landscapes and the opportunity to explore. But I don’t know, it’s missing that ‘must play’ aspect for me – for PvE it seems aimed at casual gaming, where you can just jump in and go and do a few events.

Again, that’s only my take on the game from my perspective – can only say how I’m viewing the game thus far.

And with so many people already hitting level 80 – with 100% map exploration, I do worry how the endgame will impact on PvE. It seems to be a short game if PvE is your thing.

I hope future updates enhance the PvE experience, as GW2 really is a gorgeous looking game.

Dabrixmgp.4758:

eladox.3457:

What we need is WvW progression not pve.

Darkness Falls please.

yep.

Dingleberry Pie.1679:

I’ve been level 80 for about a week and a half now and I can say honestly that there’s an endgame. the endgame is simply what you’ve been doing all along and loving since lvl 1, WvW, dungeons which in explorable mode can be very challenging. I will admit the fact that there’s no desirable loot in dungeons is not great, but what I would like to see is dungeons like in gw1 where each had a rare wep skin ( because that is in fact what gw gear is about, SKINS), for example there was the frog scepter, the obby edge, crystalline, draconic shield, things like these would really take the endgame further beyond.

This game is good but if what I have been playing for the last 60 or so hours is it than I don’t think I’ll be staying like I hoped.

I think the OP was right, call it what you will but not only do people enjoy hitting max level they also enjoy playing more difficult PvE content and progressing. This game has thus far lacked in both of those things.

Dingleberry Pie.1679:

… what I would like to see is dungeons like in gw1 where each had a rare wep skin ( because that is in fact what gw gear is about, SKINS), for example there was the frog scepter, the obby edge, crystalline, draconic shield, things like these would really take the endgame further beyond.

That’s right, it shouldn’t be “gear” it should be “skins” that are the progression rewards.

From a level 80, I can tell you the game isn’t about pve, but pvp/WvW.

Arah is a blast but as you stated once you beat the explo paths there isn’t ever a reason to go into it again, it’s not worth your time.
The events are a fun thing you can drop into, but they neither have significant rewards or at all difficult.
To be honest I’ve been looking around on there forums for days and the posters seem to love the game, there is very little disappointment. Of coarse I asked for an opinion on my own let downs for the game and it was deleted by an admin, so who’s to say they’re just not all getting axed.

If what you are doing is fun does it matter what reward you get? I think some people are way too goal focused in their games because they don’t have a goal in an actual career IRL. This doesn’t apply to everyone obviously but I get that nagging feeling that we as humans NEED goals and if you aren’t currently working MMOs fill that need. (Only you don’t get paid!)

To be honest, I expected this to happen to many avid RPG players. Let’s face it, the type of horizontal progression that Guild Wars 2 offers simply isn’t going to appeal to everyone. You may hit 80 and decide that the game no longer interests you.

It’s okay. Seriously, that’s fine. You don’t pay a subscription fee for this game. You can put it down and come back to it later if it, perhaps, adds more content that you personally enjoy.

PvE longevity? No this game really doesn’t have it. But the only reason it doesn’t is because it doesn’t force you to do the same raid dungeons (requiring large amounts of people to coordinate their schedules) repeatedly to get the next piece of epic loot. And I am glad for it. I don’t want that in this game, because I’m not interested in a massive time sink like that. To be honest, let this serve as a demonstration of how truly shallow RPG progression is in today’s MMOs.

As for me, I enjoy both types of PvP this game offers. I enjoy exploring things just for fun and listening to storylines and dialogue. I enjoy rolling alts and playing different classes and experiencing other storylines. I enjoy running and playing with guildies who’re experiencing their first explorer mode dungeon. I enjoy tweaking my character’s appearance and getting just the right gear and palette to suit me. I enjoy slowly working towards having a Legendary that I can walk around with. That’s just me, though. Your mileage may vary.

Alex i hear you, but it’s not enough fun to most players (in its current form), bottom line.

Stryker.9632:

Alex i hear you, but it’s not enough fun to most players (in its current form), bottom line.

“Most” huh, that’s a bold statement given how GW1 ran a similar system to the one here in GW2. Perhaps it’s more accurate to say, “It’s not enough for most WoW Raiders”

This game isn’t trying a appeal to the Raiders anyway, there are many of us who’ve grown bored of that model and looking for an evolution to the MMO model. As Srondon said, that’s good that this game is different. There isn’t a sub fee, so put it down and get your “raid-fix” in another game, then come back later.

I stopped playing WOW because I couldn’t face running another HOT for VPs one more time.

GW2’s endgame doesn’t even look to satisfy progression raiders. If you liked that, you are seriously better off resubbing for MoP because GW2 simply doesn’t cater to that design philosophy at the moment. I think it’ll come later down the line, but as it stands, this game is mostly about spontaneous cooperation with consistent rewards for doing whatever rather than trying to funnel players into a difficulty-saturated box of content.

As for this ‘getting stronger’ thing, there is a subset of that in the form of changing your itemization to try a role switch that normally wouldn’t work without substantial gearing. That’s really the best you’re getting away with, because GW2 does a good job at ensuring that content is doable without forcing the player to climb gearscore rungs.

Kunari it’s not bold when a deff set of devs made the second game than the first.

This game is about an easier and more casual time leveling, and about catering to the guys who put in the extra effort at max level.

Look at you, I said it’s not fun to many people and you assume it’s about raiding.
there was a thread where a DEV admitted there “wasn’t a whole hell of a lot of end game” does that mean they don’t want end game pve?
probably not, just that it’s sokittenearly they’ve yet to have the time to dish out the pve for guilds for end game.

I believe this game is meant to be pvp focused. While the game does have very compelling PvE, the heart of it is in sPvP and WvW. And while your at it, jump puzzles are very fun.

And also, you should get the most out of the PvP in this game while in a guild group.

It has casual solo pve, that is in no way compelling for some one who wants to make an impact.

I would agree the game is all about pvp/WvW though

Mercucial.6759:

So how do you guys feel about the current status of PvE, and are you hoping for a more progression based model in the future?

Also like I said I haven’t experienced end game myself, so if I’m completely wrong in my assumptions please let me know, just please try to keep it civil. Respect my opinion and I’ll respect yours. Thanks!

My feeling is that the B2P model makes “endgame” a non-issue. If you’re bored with the game just stop playing it and come back when you have a hankering for it again.

See, the whole thing about progression and gear came about because with a subscription model the idea is to get people addicted so they pay the monthly fee.

Now, the thing is, most sane people can’t play any game for longer than several months. It’s only a relatively few crazy folks (and I mean that in the kindest possible sense) who really get addicted to the various hamster-wheels developers have put in to keep people addicted so they pay the monthly fee.

Unfortunately, it has skewed game design towards this Achiever mindset too much over the years.

Because you can pick up and drop the game, it’s not such a big burden on the developers to wrack their brains to think of how to dress up a hamster-wheel so it doesn’t seem like a hamster wheel. They can just design a world and let people play in it. Of course there have to be some hamster wheels for those who like that sort of thing, but after GW2 an MMO doesn’t have to be measured by its degree of hamster-wheeliness any more.

(This wasn’t possible with GW1, even though it had the same B2P model, because GW1 wasn’t a “proper” MMO in the sense of a large persistent world people can be together in – it wasn’t far off, and had a decent illusion of it sometimes, but clearly GW2 is “proper” in the way that GW1 couldn’t be. Now that we have an MMO on this model, with not such a great reliance on hamster wheels to keeep people paying subscriptions, the industry has had a wake-up call.)

no the monthly fee was based on players feeling the game was worth 15 a month (or however much) it’s a value argument. This game has a point where you can feel like you beat the game so you will never want to play it again.

It’s just so odd for an MMORPG to have a static end game (or lack there of) it hurts there long term revenue stream if you consider they implemented a cash shop into the game.
Idk for a game with this sort of financial backing I would assume they have a very solid long term goal that I am simply unaware of, hopefully they make that evident soon.

There IS loot/gear progression in this game, though it is all about aesthetics rather than building stats. The problem is a lot of people are on a power trip in these games and if they don’t become more and more powerful, they aren’t happy.

We knew that GW2 wasn’t going to follow other MMOs in the way end game works, it just amazes me that people want to change this game into a carbon copy of all the other games that are available.

If people want that type of loot progression, then there are LOTS of other games for that. I like the fact that this game is a bit more laid back than others and that I don’t have to be constantly attached to my PC to keep up with the gear curve.

As someone who has completed the majority of the content in game so far I have to ask, what is the purpose for me to continue playing? I understand the reason why they don’t want to just keep adding items with inflated stats but without that why should I continue to return to any dungeon over and over. After I see it once I can say I have done it but the reality is once I have gotten my character to look the way I want it to I will never return to any dungeon.

I currently have all of the 42k karma gear which to my knowledge is the best possible stat gear I could have, so am I basically done? I want to continue making my character better but I have no options and I think as the people who did not have as much time as I did start to get to the point I am at right now they will be just as bored as I am. I am ok with another way to progress, such as the thousands of skills in GW1 to unlock, but without a way to continue to improve your character I see the vast majority of players losing interest in the game as I sadly am right now.

Mandrax.7342:

There IS loot/gear progression in this game, though it is all about aesthetics rather than building stats. The problem is a lot of people are on a power trip in these games and if they don’t become more and more powerful, they aren’t happy.

We knew that GW2 wasn’t going to follow other MMOs in the way end game works, it just amazes me that people want to change this game into a carbon copy of all the other games that are available.

If people want that type of loot progression, then there are LOTS of other games for that. I like the fact that this game is a bit more laid back than others and that I don’t have to be constantly attached to my PC to keep up with the gear curve.

The issue with this is that there was stat progression on items from 1-80, then at 80 there was more stat progression. If they really wanted static end game why even add stats to armor and not just give everyone base line stats and points to level up attributes?

I don’t see how a static end game is linked to levelling up. They are two different parts of the game, they don’t need to follow the same rules.

The simple fact is, the game is the game, it’s always been known that this would be how it works, so let’s celebrate the fact ArenaNet did something different.

Different is not always good. “The end game starts at level 1”, see how they are linked? Even beyond that, at hitting 80 you replace all of your gear with a few shallow tiers of gear (For example in crafting there is the yellow 80 only version of the gear you buy patterns for with karma and then the 80 exotic which does have better stats.) Do you see the trend that just falls off suddenly?

Doing the same thing as GW1 isn’t different Mandrax

Well as I said in my first post, we knew what this game involved BEFORE it was released yet you still bought it with that in mind. If this game doesn’t give you what is required at end game, then there are plenty of others that do.

For many people this will be a refreshing change, myself included.

It will be a refreshing change for you until you join the majority of people who get bored and trickle off, it will just take more time

but the same dev team from GW1 isn’t the same as this one.
things ARE different, as is such we can expect patches and expansions to be just as different as the first.

The only other way you can continue in this game is if overcoming challenging content gives you a feeling of accomplishment .
So once your 80 and have got the gear how you like it with the best stats,the future will be content that requires skill and co-ordination with co-operation from a well honed group synergy.
Just think how much simpler it must be to come up with challenging content when the devs have a more specific knowledge of every classes max ability power and not have to continually tweek encounters and classes .

I have noticed a trend toward tunnel vision gear grinding giving a sense of accomplishment but I would love to see a return to the feeling you get when a team comes together and between you the challenge is overcome .

Once my characters have the gear then I look forward to see the challenges that are presented by the content .
It’s only neccessary to gear up once thenyou do not have to gear up every time content is releases ,you just have to face and defeat the challenge .

learning in any aspect of your life is the FUN part .
Once you have learned something and MASTERED it you feel ACCOMPLISHED .
Repeating this task repeatedly becomes a JOB .

I’am hoping to have fun but face new challenges once I feel accomplished .

Tokki.8507:

It will be a refreshing change for you until you join the majority of people who get bored and trickle off, it will just take more time

It happens to all MMOs. People play, they get bored, they leave. It’s not a new phenomenon.

I think with the way I play and since im an alt-aholic with all the different lones of personal story I am pretty sure this game will keep me occupied for quite a few years. I enjoy this game very much I like how eveything works and like that I can play the game when I want to not when I HAVE to show up for raid times

Don’t forget, guys, that endgame content is not all about raiding. Endgame content is about having something definable to do at the level cap that keeps people playing. A built-in time sink, sure, and nobody said it has to be meaningful to everyone, but there should be something for me to look forward to.
I swear I never saw the word “raid” so vilified as I did until ANet and Massively started hyping the bejeezus out of this game. I played WoW for several years. I have done my share of raiding but have also met tons of players who have never even thought of attempting a raid, yet they still log on regularly because even at the level cap they feel like they are working towards something.
What about dailies? What about our Zaishen quests from Gw1 that helped keep us going at 20? What about the fact that the original game didn’t even really start until you reached level 20?

Doesn’t anyone just do a thing just for the fun of doing it anymore? If an activity is fun, I’ll do that activity, reward or no reward.

Guess I’m a dying breed or something.

One of the great things about GW2 is how they have striven to be different. You compare it to WoW as the baseline of what a gear progression game should be like. If you want a gear progession oriented game, you should go play a gear progression oriented game.

Asking them to make GW2 like something else will only lead to a watered down “me to” of a game. I applaud what A-net is trying to do here and not just be another WoW.

Especially considering there is no monthly subscription you are making an apples to oranges comparison.

gooberkid.6029:

What about dailies? What about our Zaishen quests from Gw1 that helped keep us going at 20? What about the fact that the original game didn’t even really start until you reached level 20?

:) Yes, and getting to level 20 initially on Guild Wars (or as it became ‘Prophecies’), was really satsifying.
Masses of different skills to choose from, different character builds – and the storyline, which may not have been perfect at times, but immersed you totally in the PvE experience.

I guess the format of GW2 (being predominantly PvP) is either going to be loved for years, or played for a few months and forgotten – depends whether WvW and PvP is your thing.
Levelling up in GW2 just doesn’t seem as satisfying – especially with skills being gained automatically as you go through.

That isn’t to criticise or take anything away from Anet – they’ve created a beautiful landscape, and taken the brave decision to try and move away from ‘classic’ RPG gameplay.

But I agree with your post – GW1 didn’t really start until you’d hit lvl 20 – and even now, people will still play it because of the wealth of PvE content available.

Whereas once you’ve hit lvl 80 in PvE here, where do you go ? I know you can create other character types, but it seems like PvE definitely has a much shorter shelf life here than in GW1 – which many are still playing years later.

Hopefully over time, Anet will be able to reintroduce at least some of the aspects of PvE that made it so addictive in GW1 (and other games)…………………..even if they’re paid addons (as with the original GW series).

Failing that, as GW2 is such a big release, maybe they’ll release additional chapters to the GW1 story -

When GW1 came out there was almost nothing to do after reaching level 20. About the only thing going was to go around and collect new skills which got old pretty quickly. I think you need to remember that GW1 has years of expansions added to the original game. This game is MASSIVE for an initial launch and people just need to play some sPvP or WvW until more content is out.

gooberkid.6029:

Don’t forget, guys, that endgame content is not all about raiding. Endgame content is about having something definable to do at the level cap that keeps people playing. A built-in time sink, sure, and nobody said it has

Actually There is no endgame content, raiding or anything else :
- WvW takes about 1 to 5 hours to enter, depending on your server.

- Gear progression is non-existent, I’m fully geared (exotic crafts, armor weapon and jewel) 5 ectos + 5 “rare” metrials per part is really easy to get.

- sPvP makes me want to cut myself, i really, really hate the downed system, and I can’t understand why there are siege engines that hit you for half of your HP bar in one hit. Also, those sharks .. hitting you for 2k+ when you try to finish off someone who is ALREADY DEAD, swimming away from you like nothing’s happening.

- Instances, I did them all in story mode, and 3 in exploration, it was fun, despite some bugs that are understandable for a game that has just been released. But i’m not gonna farm them 100+ times to get a SKIN for my gear, no, not gonna happen, I did this on WoW, i’m not doing it again.

My 2 cents.

I hear you saying that gear progression gives you a sense of victory and progression.
I hear you saying that increasingly difficult PvE encounters which include barriers to entrance (ie: gear checks) gives you a sense of power, and thus fun.

I also hear complaints that perhaps the highest tiers of armor are a little bit too “grindy”, as they require hundreds of tokens which can only be gained through a single dungeon and only through many runs of that dungeon.

So my personal opinion here is that the first two issues are really not going to be resolved. For me, I want to hit level 80 – get a solid income established – find a few pieces of nice gear – and retire into the WvWvW battlegrounds until an expansion comes out OR I need to go earn some coin for new trebuchets. That is MY end-game plan for the one or two characters I ever actually take to 80.

Otherwise, I will be spending my time in sPvP, probably on low level alts, earning PvP rewards and generally kicking somekitten and taking some names.

So when we talk about endgame, I feel like this game has more than I thought it did when I purchased it. All of this stuff was advertised, and has been delivered as advertised.

Now, lastly, the third point about feeling too grindy for certain armor sets… I am not quite sure how I feel about this. I do not like grinds, but some people do. I probably won’t care since I will never try to acquire this armor, but maybe one day I will. Maybe this is something that could be discussed and revisions suggested to ANet once the appropriate forums come up.

TL;DR – The game was not designed to cater to your specific desires. You should have known that before spending $60. Alas, enjoy it while you can and when you no longer do… move on. You’ll still own it and might change your mind in the future!

Anet has said before that the “Game” itself is endgame. 1-80 is the endgame content.

They did not want people blazing through their game skipping the whole world in order to get to the end to experience end game content – so to put it plainly, there is no end game content. Enjoy the leveling process of the game because that is it.

Once you are 80, make an alt, sPvP or WvW and that is all she wrote. Dungeons? They said dungeons are fluff and only there for people that want cooler looking gear and to achieve something difficult. So do them or don’t do them, it won’t effect your game.

Gear strength is all pretty much relative it’s not like you can grind out explorer mode and get “Better” gear than me. I could craft an equal item or do an event that unlocks a vendor that gives me a recipe that has comparable stats.

It’s strictly about appearance and what you want to look like. If you want to grind out the time it takes to get a set then cool – do it. You won’t be any stronger than the next guy for doing so. you will just look better and people around you will know that you had the sack to do explorer mode (which I would respect, cuz they are difficult)

NyghtProwler.9386:

Anet has said before that the “Game” itself is endgame. 1-80 is the endgame content.

They did not want people blazing through their game skipping the whole world in order to get to the end to experience end game content – so to put it plainly, there is no end game content. Enjoy the leveling process of the game because that is it.

Once you are 80, make an alt, sPvP or WvW and that is all she wrote. Dungeons? They said dungeons are fluff and only there for people that want cooler looking gear and to achieve something difficult. So do them or don’t do them, it won’t effect your game.

Gear strength is all pretty much relative it’s not like you can grind out explorer mode and get “Better” gear than me. I could craft an equal item or do an event that unlocks a vendor that gives me a recipe that has comparable stats.

It’s strictly about appearance and what you want to look like. If you want to grind out the time it takes to get a set then cool – do it. You won’t be any stronger than the next guy for doing so. you will just look better and people around you will know that you had the sack to do explorer mode (which I would respect, cuz they are difficult)

+1