Guild Wars 2

Hi all,

I’ve only been playing for a couple of weeks. My main it currently level 22. So I realize that I still have a lot more to experience in GW2.

But so far, I have never once participated in a group. I have not seen anyone mention groups, I’ve never been invited to a group, no one seems to even talk about groups.

The only time I ever hear groups even mentioned it for dungeons.

So, am I just left out, or is there really so little grouping going on?

There’s not a lot of formalized grouping often, no. However, since everyone that participates effectively in a kill is rewarded for that kill, actually being partied isn’t strictly necessary. It’s rather like you’re in a party with everyone you happen to be near while you’re doing that heart, or participating in that event. Dungeons, on the other hand, do require groups, which is why you’ll mostly run into them in that setting.

Personally, I’ve only ever grouped with friends to facilitate either talking or running through zones together. It can work well, but it’s not entirely necessary either. I’ve also picked up a few random people in zones for a while where we would just run together for as long as we all had the same agenda. Even though we wouldn’t group up, that worked just as well. It’s a very different style than many MMOs, for sure, but I find I kinda like how it works.

I think what you’re seeing is a direct result of the dynamic grouping that happens in this game. Objectives are all shared spontaneously so people aren’t seeing the need to group. Grouping offers you a way to track your party, other than that, there’s really no need when you can accomplish what you need to with anyone that happens to be doing the same basic thing.

The dynamic event system gives the gameplay interaction of grouping without the need to create a formal group. Our “group buffs” instead are an AoE centered on us that affect ourself and up to 4 additional targets. We can even revive the corpses of perfect strangers.

Yes, formal grouping does still happen within guilds. PUG grouping does still happen for dungeons. However beyond that, people see little need to make formal groups since GW2 is intentionally designed to make them not needed.

You are grouped the instance there is another player nearby. All players are your allies.

The only reason to form a traditional party outside dungeons is convenience… party chat, HP bars, seeing party members as dots on the map.
Outside dungeons, I solely party with my buddies, when I want to char with them in a small group.

I group with guildmates, for pve and wvw. It’s handy to see the blue-dots of them on the mini-map, even if you’re not doing a dungeon, say.

Get a good guild and you’ll find partymates for whatever you’re doing.

We even do ’em for gathering mats.

The only times I’ve seen groups happening are guild groups or alliance groups. Guilds add a lot to the MMO experience whether with grouping, sharing drops through the guild bank, fun events or even having people to show you the ropes in WvW.

You should find one that suits you