Guild Wars 2

I am not finding the info I have been curious about by searching the web.
Perhaps my search terms have not been good enough.

From what I understand, with HoT there will be a sort of elite specialization for a character that reaches level 80.

There were many changes with gw2 and now I do not understand how it all works. We used to buy manuals to unlock traits, is this how will it work if you choose a specialization?

If I take, say, a thief..and i want to make it into whatever its’ specialization will be, do I buy a manual or buy the traits?

Or does purchase of the expansion simply include this new trait line?

It seems that the specialization will essentially consist of a new trait line, but how to obtain this new trait line ( and its associated traits) I have not really learned from my searches.

I am very curious as I have been thinking of returning to the game but as of now, I do not know if I will find the new systems in place to be fun.

Thanks in advance for any information; my web searches have not revealed much.

First trait lines have been renamed specializations, you are talking about elite specializations.

Elite specializations are merely a unique specialization that replaces one specialization which allows your character to have access to additional skills and a weapon type. They still cost hero points to unlock.

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Specialization

Thank you very much for your help, this clears up much for me.

So it appears that an elite specialization will cost the same as a core specialization from what I gather, a sort of continuation of a profession if you wish to have it.

Offshoot of a profession really. They aren’t meant to replace the existing professions and you can switch into or out of the elite specialization while out of combat.