Guild Wars 2

Hi,

totally new guy here with quite few questions so bare with me please.

I just purchased the game and I’m installing it atm, so got spare time to harass you with wall of text, here we go:

1. I’m from eastern EU (Finland), looking for active and social server. any suggestions what would suit me nicely? Getting bit too old for all the drama (been playing mmporgs for over 12 years now) so mature community would be perfect

2. class / profession, would like strong solo class in PvE who doesn’t get stomped in casual PvP either. I usually play healers / ranged dps on other mmporgs but as I’ve understood the traditional class roles doesn’t really apply here so I’m little confused.

I know from past experience that my first class most likely won’t be my main after while, so looking class to learn the ropes with and in future to be farming alt / casual PvP alt.(can you mail / send items / gold between your characters?)
The idea of pets appeal so maybe ranger or necromancer?

3. This is long shot but anyway, If there’s anyone who would be willing to take the time and effort to take newbie like me under their wings and answer the multiple questions i get when starting new game, maybe even invite to their guild…I would be very grateful.

4. I’ve been thinking of trying this game for while now, Is the levelling process as grindy as I’ve heard?

That’s about it for starters, thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to answer.

Hei!

1. Piken Square is a pretty nice server. It is the unofficial EU RP server and as such mostly has pretty mature playerbase.

2. PvE anything that feels good to you. PvP…not my thing at all. I’ll let the experts answer that. You know you have 5 slots, right? And that for PvP characters are automatically lvl 80?

The bank and the wallet are shared between all your characters. You cannot mail yourself though.

3. Me! (PvE only)

4. Only if you want it to be.

Not on an EU server so can’t help you there. 2. I’d say Necro is a good choice, it’s a very easy class to play in PvP, and PvE is alright as well. There’s no healers in this class, the most supportive being a Guardian or perhaps staff Ele, but even then the meta build for this game is to go full DPS. As far as ranged classes go, Necro is alright as I said, Ele has a bit higher learning curve, and Mesmer is probably the hardest of the scholars. Rangers are easy to understand, if not undervalued by the community as a whole. Thieves ranged-wise are rarer imo, but you’ll see a lot of them in PvP (generally melee thieves at that). Engineer is a very fun class, with lots of playstyles. Warrior is probably the most used class right now, and they’re also an easy class to excel in. As for the latter part of this question, all currencies are account bound, meaning you don’t have to send mails to yourself (gold, karma, gems, glory, and other tokens are all stored in your wallet, which you can access any time). Items are generally soulbound (meaning per character), but you can store items in your bank for ‘trading’ with your other characters.
3. Again, on an NA server, and my guild is kinda specialized in the lore of the world, but I’d be willing to help out when I’m online with questions.
4. Levelling is not as bad as in other MMO’s (most recent one I’ve played is SWtOR, and that takes forever, nowhere near the max level). You’ll get a level at least every hour if you play correctly (might be skewed, when you play for a while you get boosters for experience and such).

1: I would suggest one of the bigger populated english servers. Gandara would be a good option.

2: I would recommend the elementalist. They are squishy, and that means that you are forcing yourself to learn the most important survival techniques early on. Besides that, elementalist have some healing capacity’s you might find interesting. When you switch to your main character you will know the basic importances. This class is not good on survivabillity, but see it from the other side. you shouldnt use survivabillity as your first defense. This is a mistake often made. Learning how to dodge and avoid damage is very important and much more efficient then investing in heavy armor or healing skills.

3: I’m honest, I’m a stalker of this forum and always happy to help here in the open. if you desire this, I’m less suited.

4: No!
Lemme elobarate more. There is no leveling process. Yes you can reach max level (80) and that is often a milestone and a happy occasion (7/8 characters max level now), but it is not the reward itself. This game doesn’t know endgame. Instead there is a scaling system. In other mmo’s if you go to a starter zone with max level you can one hit everything but they don’t drop a thing anymore. In this game you get downleveled (and in some special maps even upleveled) to the level where the content is designed for. Off course through optimum armor and trats, and cause of having unlocked every skill you are still more efficient. But you still need to work for your drops. On top of that, you will get drops designed for your level.

an example:
In queensdale (a startermap) there is an event called the shadow behemoth. This is a world boss event and a yaw-dropper for everyone doing it for the first time. It is very epic and you will remember your first time. It is an event designed for level 15. So if I bring my level 80 guardian there, I will have stats of a level 15 player. On defeat a chest will spawn.If you did it on a level 15 character you will get level 15 items out of that chest. But me, being on my level 80 character gets level 80 stuff. This event, eventhough it is in a startermap, is therefor part off the endgame.

In short, yet it takes time to get to level 80, but you get there by doing and enjoying the same things as being level 80. The main issue is that people are so used to have the mindset off other games that they rush rush to level 80 and then complain that there is no endgame (no special things to do different then when leveling).

1. Aurora Glade – great server not so much RP based but good fun all the same.

2. What Garambola said. Pick a class you like the look of and go from there.

3. More than willing to take you around and show you things. If you’re interested in a guild then [BAD] is always recruiting otherwise check out the guild recruitment section of the forum when you’ve chosen your server.

4. I haven’t found it grindy at all and I have 9 characters. Your experience may vary of course.

Welcome to Guild Wars. Hope you enjoy it.

Thank you all so far for the answers.

Sounds like I have to keep open mind when i finish installing the game and try to forget my previous experience from other mmporgs.

I’ve been going through youtube for videos of different classes, but it is very hard to decide what to try out first since there is no traditional class roles ( so i can’t rule out some classes, tanks / melee dps for example)

I like the sound of that scaling system for different lvl content.

and let me elaborate that grindy question, What i meant was…is there always something other to do than just mindlessly kill mobs / npcs for exp. ie quests / dungeons / raids etc for the lower lvls aswell?
I don’t like being stuck having to kill hundreds of wildspawn mobs to lvl up before i can get to new quests / area.

As you liked Healers/Ranged DPS then I’ll second mercury’s suggestion of Elementalist. Water Attunement heals allies and damages foes, Fire and Earth do damage and Wind does something else (I just use it for speed and possibly to daze enemies).

snoop.4519:

and let me elaborate that grindy question, What i meant was…is there always something other to do than just mindlessly kill mobs / npcs for exp. ie quests / dungeons / raids etc for the lower lvls aswell?
I don’t like being stuck having to kill hundreds of wildspawn mobs to lvl up before i can get to new quests / area.

Some sources of experience:

• Gathering
• Crafting
• Reviving
• Events
• Map completion (skillpoints, waypoints, points of interest, renown hearts, vistas)
• Activities
• Dungeons (starting on level 30)
• Personal story
• Achievements
• Killings stuff

As you can see, you get experience for almost everything you do and there are always multiple maps for your current level, including the ones below you level, because of downscaling.
You could even check out the current living story event in Lion’s Arch. You will be upscaled to level 80. But for a starter with starting equipment, no traits/skills, this is pretty hard and I would not recommend it.

Actually, the game discourages just mindlessly killing mobs. Sure, you can do it for a while (with experience boosters and killing the correct mobs) to get lots of exp, and I’ll be honest it’s strangely satisfying since the game conditions you to not do it. But anyway, I’d suggest not just grinding mobs, Ignavia listed a lot of ways to get experience, and the most important one imo is doing events. They reward 7% of a level just for completing, and if you find lots of them then you’ll be flying in no time.

What Ignavia said, just a small remark.
Dungeons are challenging content. While you can do the first dungeon path at level 30, most pug’s (pick up groups) will require you to be higher level. I normally advertise in the looking for group tool for that lowest dungeon for level 40+ or if I’m not in the mood for explainging a lot or having to drag the party through I’ll ask for level 60+.

As for being stuck on killing boars in the forrest .
you can easily become level 15 in the startermap if you also do things like gathering, crafting, events and personal story. but you can also rush through. However, each race has it’s own startermap. so you can always go there to do the same starter content in a different atmosphere.

snoop.4519:

Hi,

totally new guy here with quite few questions so bare with me please.

I just purchased the game and I’m installing it atm, so got spare time to harass you with wall of text, here we go:

1. I’m from eastern EU (Finland), looking for active and social server. any suggestions what would suit me nicely? Getting bit too old for all the drama (been playing mmporgs for over 12 years now) so mature community would be perfect

2. class / profession, would like strong solo class in PvE who doesn’t get stomped in casual PvP either. I usually play healers / ranged dps on other mmporgs but as I’ve understood the traditional class roles doesn’t really apply here so I’m little confused.

I know from past experience that my first class most likely won’t be my main after while, so looking class to learn the ropes with and in future to be farming alt / casual PvP alt.(can you mail / send items / gold between your characters?)
The idea of pets appeal so maybe ranger or necromancer?

3. This is long shot but anyway, If there’s anyone who would be willing to take the time and effort to take newbie like me under their wings and answer the multiple questions i get when starting new game, maybe even invite to their guild…I would be very grateful.

4. I’ve been thinking of trying this game for while now, Is the levelling process as grindy as I’ve heard?

That’s about it for starters, thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to answer.

1. For PvE, the best server out there is Desolation, in my opinion. It holds a lot of records in a lot of events and has a pretty good, healthy community.
But if you’re into PvP, and WvW, I suggest you look at the link below. This is the leaderboard of WvW from all the EU servers:
https://leaderboards.guildwars2.com/en/eu/wvw

2. Well based on what you’re looking for, I think either elemetalists or mesmers. However keep in mind that whatever you pick, like you said, it doesn’t fill just one roll (healing), but also sustain (tanking and sustaining itself) and DPS of course. It takes a while to get used to this system, but once you get into it, I can guarantee that you’ll feel bad that every MMO doesn’t have it.

3. I’m from EU, I can guest to whatever server you want to go. My in-game name is Oda Alrikkin and I would be glad to show you around with whatever you need. Just send me a PM either here on the forums or there.

4. GW2 goes against grinding. At lvl 80, you’re going to start to grind a little bit, but not nearly as much as in some MMOs.
The nice thing about GW2 is that everything, and I mean 100% everything you do gives you XP.
— exploring
— killing
— helping in events
— taking nodes
— going for WvW
— taking some fun tournaments
— etc etc etc

Welcome to Tyria. Hope you have fun!

Thanks again for the answers and opinions so far

I think I’ll try elementalist at start and see how it goes.
Now that the class is decided….

1. Does race actually matter? I can see there’s some racials but anything that makes difference in levelling or at level cap?

2. Crafting, any preferred combos for elementalists? Or should i go strictly for gathering materials to sell for some income at the start?

snoop.4519:

(can you mail / send items / gold between your characters?)

No, you cannot mail items between characters of the same account. You do, however, have an account wide wallet for gold, karma, laurels and dungeon tokens. Furthermore, you have access to an account wide bank, which you can use to transfer items between you characters.

snoop.4519:

Thanks again for the answers and opinions so far

I think I’ll try elementalist at start and see how it goes.
Now that the class is decided….

1. Does race actually matter? I can see there’s some racials but anything that makes difference in levelling or at level cap?

2. Crafting, any preferred combos for elementalists? Or should i go strictly for gathering materials to sell for some income at the start?

1. The racials skills are usually weaker than your normal profession skills. Therefore, you should just choose whatever you like.

2. Jeweler and chef are nice to have for all classes, but for an elementalist tailor (light armor) and artificer (all your weapons except dagger) are most fitting. You can learn all crafting disciplines if you like, but you can only have two active at the same time. Swapping retains your progress, but it costs 10 bronze per level to swap back.

1. Pick a race you like. The racial skill are not really a deciding factor. You don’t even have to play in your race’s starter area if you prefer another.

2. The elementalist forums can really answer build questions better. At the lowest levels it is not very significant, but maybe somone can shed a light on that too. Elementalsit is squishy at the start. Be prepared to die many times. It is normal.

It is up to you whether you want to sell them for coin or keep them or a bit of both. Only you know which makes things more fun. For levelling your crafting you need a lot of materials and they prices are unlikely to come down.

snoop.4519:

Thanks again for the answers and opinions so far

I think I’ll try elementalist at start and see how it goes.
Now that the class is decided….

1. Does race actually matter? I can see there’s some racials but anything that makes difference in levelling or at level cap?

2. Crafting, any preferred combos for elementalists? Or should i go strictly for gathering materials to sell for some income at the start?

1. The difference between the races are their racial powers, yes, but they rarely outpower class spells and are mostly used either for some PvE runs (I know asura robots are used often). Rarely, very rarely do I see them in PvP. It’s even not that often in PvE. But just to mention.
— Charr call apon their legion to aid them as a racial (either teammates or some help, like bomb shower)
— Asura call their robots in aid
— Sylvari call apon the plants to aid them
— Norns turn into animals for a period of time, gaining a lot of attributes.
— Humans pray to their Gods, gaining ’’buffs’’

2. It’s a debate, whether it’s smart to craft or not. My persional experience is that it IS a very smart investment. You may need a lot of gold NOW, but some day, when you want certain gear for, say, fractals. You’re going to want your crafting skills up.
It’s a part of the game like any other, why skip it

For elementalists, I suggest you pick Artificier and Tailor for the starters.

allright, Thank you all very much for the effort. really appreciate it.

I’ll start off with asura elementalist and see how it kicks off. Now i just need the install to get ready and I’m good to go

snoop.4519:

allright, Thank you all very much for the effort. really appreciate it.

I’ll start off with asura elementalist and see how it kicks off. Now i just need the install to get ready and I’m good to go

Good luck And again, whatever server you join, you can add me on your friend list or something (Oda Alrikkin) and I can take you around gw2 if you have any questions or need help with anything in general.

I’ll also put myself forward on the help front snoop. Character names are in my sig or just use the Adaephon name.

snoop.4519:

Thanks again for the answers and opinions so far

I think I’ll try elementalist at start and see how it goes.
Now that the class is decided….

1. Does race actually matter? I can see there’s some racials but anything that makes difference in levelling or at level cap?

2. Crafting, any preferred combos for elementalists? Or should i go strictly for gathering materials to sell for some income at the start?

Race doesn’t really matter. there are some racial skills, but they are pretty general and actually not very often used. The looks off course does matter. Asura’s have the great advantage that they are small. This means that when doing jumping puzzles (you get specialy rewards in GW2 for jumping to hard to get places), you have a good overview and good placement off the camera (on big charrs, its often more difficult to guess where you will land and in narrow spaces, the camera can clips strangely into walls).

Asura’s also have a great dissadvantage and that is that they are small (deja vu ). A greatsword on an asura is the size off a (small) dagger on a norn. In a game where the grinding rewards are not stats but skins that is seen as a dissadvantage

2: I would really recommend to craft from the start (or atleast from level 15 onwards). As for the crafting disciplinesI would recommend to take one that is convinient for your ele and one for all classes. The reason is that you likely will run a bit behind the facts. When you are level 30 you prolly can craft level 20 weapons.
My advise would be artificer and jeweller. Jeweller is convinient for all classes. The main goal of an artificer is to make magical weapons (staff, scepter, focus, trident) wich are not usable for all classes, but you can also craft potions (consumable boost) that really will be helpfull for later classes.

I’ll make sure to add you folks that have come forward once i get ingame, some great advice I’ve got here!

I’ve boldy already added you. You can find me in yout ‘followers’. I’ll remove it, of course, if you wish.

What does differ though is the personal story (the first parts). Each race has it’s own starting world and personal story.

Look here for more info: Personal Story

But you might not be into following the story line at all, that’s all up to the player

SandraSolace.7682:

What does differ though is the personal story (the first parts). Each race has it’s own starting world and personal story.

Look here for more info: Personal Story

But you might not be into following the story line at all, that’s all up to the player

I’m a lot into story, thats why I have had 25 level 29’s. Just to have seen all the possible story-lines