This map needs to be removed from solo queue or fixed. It is completely unbalanced right now. I saw a warrior run at double speed from orb pick up to cap this last match. Assuming this is legit and not some hack, we need the following changes:
1. When someone picks up an orb, they need to lose ability to use all skills. The only option should be to drop the orb.
2. The orb should be a big event. Make it happen 2 or 3 times a game and that is it.
I’ve posted these items in other threads before, but hopefully ANET starts listening.
This is why capture the flag PvP never works in MMORPGs. Certain builds and certain professions always have abilities that break the intended gameplay. The only way to deal with it is to disable everything unique about each profession – the core of an RPG. And people hate it when you don’t let them play their profession.
Spirit Watch was an experiment to see if it could be done with some modified rules. It failed. The map is worse than Skyhammer.
This is why capture the flag PvP never works in MMORPGs. Certain builds and certain professions always have abilities that break the intended gameplay. The only way to deal with it is to disable everything unique about each profession – the core of an RPG. And people hate it when you don’t let them play their profession.
Spirit Watch was an experiment to see if it could be done with some modified rules. It failed. The map is worse than Skyhammer.
It worked in Rift.
It was really fun in rift after a few nerfs so orb running specs weren’t utterly broken.
Flag running just emphasizes issues in GW2 though, so yeah, it won’t work here. The abilities, and maps, are just too terribly designed.
Not saying I don’t agree with you, I do. But if they made it so no abilities were allowed you’d then see people complaining that its not fair because Ele has low HP and necro and war have highest HP so they are only ones able to carry orb efficiently. The only way to make it completely fair is to have no abilities and have everyone who picks up orb have a set HP level. Oh and then people will be complaining that wars have higher toughness and that’s not fair and the list goes on……lol
It worked in Rift.
It was really fun in rift after a few nerfs so orb running specs weren’t utterly broken.
Flag running just emphasizes the issues in GW2 so yeah, it won’t work here. The abilities and maps were just made soooooo terribly.
Played RIFT for the first 5 months or so. PvP still had tons of balance issues. Don’t know what they’ve done since.
It worked in Rift.
It was really fun in rift after a few nerfs so orb running specs weren’t utterly broken.
Flag running just emphasizes the issues in GW2 so yeah, it won’t work here. The abilities and maps were just made soooooo terribly.
Played RIFT for the first 5 months or so. PvP still had tons of balance issues. Don’t know what they’ve done since.
It had far worse balance issues than GW2, in Rift warriors were gods for over a year and rogues were next to useless, but regardless Rift had one major thing going for it, something that completely turns the tables…. they released a finished game.
They weren’t going to dedicate tons of time to fixing PvP so they released a game that used tried and true mechanics (team v team fights, healer/tank/dps, exc.) and made sure it included everything they needed for their target audience (que-pop message, pick the maps you want to queue for, minor leave penalty, exc.).
This is why capture the flag PvP never works in MMORPGs. Certain builds and certain professions always have abilities that break the intended gameplay. The only way to deal with it is to disable everything unique about each profession – the core of an RPG. And people hate it when you don’t let them play their profession.
Spirit Watch was an experiment to see if it could be done with some modified rules. It failed. The map is worse than Skyhammer.
I agree with this. The issue is that ANET already disabled certain skills from the orb carrier. That made things even more random. I’d like to see all abilities removed, or make this map hot join only. Right now it is not a good competitive map.
Yes, Spirit Watch is the worst map, by far. It is in dire need of fixing. Since, matchmaking is already so random, and with the disparity of mobility between the classes, this map is by far the most imbalanced.
Since, it takes 2-3 people to actually kill a bunker orb carrier, it is impossible for that team to chase after the orb carrier and defend precious conquest nodes. Spirit Watch is almost always a blow out with rando matchmaking compositions. Where one team will have 2 mesmers, 2 thieves, and a ranger, whilst the other team has 3 warriors, a guardian and a mesmer. It is nigh impossible for some compositions to compete.
Hey guys, just wanted to pop in here and state that come the release of the feature build players will no longer be able to carry the orb while in a transform. For those unfamiliar with what a transform is in PvP, it is a skill that changes your skill bar. I.E Rampage, Elixir U, Tornado, etc. We’ve also trimmed off some hard edges on the map to make travel more smooth and functional.
Thanks and I hope this makes the map more enjoyable for those whom have issues with it.
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Hey guys, just wanted to pop in here and state that come the release of the feature build players will no longer be able to carry the orb while in a transform. For those unfamiliar with what a transform is in PvP, it is a skill that changes your skill bar. I.E Rampage, Elixir U, Tornado, etc. We’ve also trimmed off some hard edges on the map to make travel more smooth and functional.
Thanks and I hope this makes the map more enjoyable for those whom have issues with it.
I don’t think this was ever the issue…
They should remove the orb and replace it WITH a transform, not the other way around.
Picking up the orb would turn you into a spirit, with spirit skills, that way no matter who picks up the objective, they are all transformed into the exact same thing.
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So you count carrying orb in Shroud too? Sad thing. We are still terrible at carrying anything, but that at least was giving us some advantage when carrying vs. condi classes.
Now, Engineer remains top dog in pvp.
You can see them everywhere and they have most skills to combo and use. No wonder they’re overpowered.
Hey guys, just wanted to pop in here and state that come the release of the feature build players will no longer be able to carry the orb while in a transform..
“finally! those Rampage warriors won’t be able to carry the orb!” said noone ever. XD
i think what everyone wants is for ALL skills to be disable while orb carrying, so certain professions don’t get unfair advantages because they lucked out in the map rotation.
it should be up to the team to cover the carrier as they try to run the orb.
it shouldn’t simply be team A has a greatsword warrior, so they win.
Hey guys, just wanted to pop in here and state that come the release of the feature build players will no longer be able to carry the orb while in a transform. For those unfamiliar with what a transform is in PvP, it is a skill that changes your skill bar. I.E Rampage, Elixir U, Tornado, etc. We’ve also trimmed off some hard edges on the map to make travel more smooth and functional.
Thanks and I hope this makes the map more enjoyable for those whom have issues with it.
I don’t think this was ever the issue…
They should remove the orb and replace it WITH a transform, not the other way around.
Picking up the orb would turn you into a spirit, with spirit skills, that way no matter who picks up the objective, they are all transformed into the exact same thing.
I agree here. Don’t forget sword Rangers, X/D eles and other classes with a long charge are to strong on this map.
So you count carrying orb in Shroud too? Sad thing. We are still terrible at carrying anything, but that at least was giving us some advantage when carrying vs. condi classes.
Now, Engineer remains top dog in pvp.
You can see them everywhere and they have most skills to combo and use. No wonder they’re overpowered.
In what crazy world is Engineer overpowered!? The only thing unbalanced about Engineers right now is the Decap Engi. And even that build is just for decapping points, doing no damage at all.
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Hey guys, just wanted to pop in here and state that come the release of the feature build players will no longer be able to carry the orb while in a transform. For those unfamiliar with what a transform is in PvP, it is a skill that changes your skill bar. I.E Rampage, Elixir U, Tornado, etc. We’ve also trimmed off some hard edges on the map to make travel more smooth and functional.
Thanks and I hope this makes the map more enjoyable for those whom have issues with it.
This does nothing to address the blaring mobility disparity between the classes on this map.
Thanks for the comments. I’d really like to see all skills removed when someone picks up the orb. That would then require a true team effort to get the orb back to a base. Essentially people would need to choose whether to defend a point or defend the orb. It would make for better strategy.
And yes, I understand that some classes have more HP than others. I think that is ok. Anyone with no skills available will need help.
Hey guys, just wanted to pop in here and state that come the release of the feature build players will no longer be able to carry the orb while in a transform..
“finally! those Rampage warriors won’t be able to carry the orb!” said noone ever. XD
i think what everyone wants is for ALL skills to be disable while orb carrying, so certain professions don’t get unfair advantages because they lucked out in the map rotation.
it should be up to the team to cover the carrier as they try to run the orb.
it shouldn’t simply be team A has a greatsword warrior, so they win.
Hey guys, just wanted to pop in here and state that come the release of the feature build players will no longer be able to carry the orb while in a transform. For those unfamiliar with what a transform is in PvP, it is a skill that changes your skill bar. I.E Rampage, Elixir U, Tornado, etc. We’ve also trimmed off some hard edges on the map to make travel more smooth and functional.
Thanks and I hope this makes the map more enjoyable for those whom have issues with it.
Just give the orb its own set of skills.
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Sword/warhorn/ GS warrior with tank traits is an auto orb carry if he gets ahold of it.
Same with good guardians/ tanky rangers
As has been suggested a billion times by myself and others, make the orb a transform with preset attacks and stats. I realize it’s incredibly hard to code. You can do it.
The most effective orb runner I’ve found is the greatsword immunities warrior. Goblins for extra credit. I don’t mind it because when this map pops I just switch to my warrior and either run orb 20 times for a win or cry that my team can’t hold caps.
Sword/warhorn/ GS warrior with tank traits is an auto orb carry if he gets ahold of it.
Same with good guardians/ tanky rangers
As has been suggested a billion times by myself and others, make the orb a transform with preset attacks and stats. I realize it’s incredibly hard to code. You can do it.
It’s like diamond skin all over again….
Devs come out and say ‘hey we want to improve the ele, we want your feedback!!’
Everyone says diamond skin is kitten.
Devs ignore everyone.
So their answer is to make necro unable to carry to orb anymore…. (since this is basically only a nerf against death shroud since no one else really transforms to carry the orb [ele tornado? really?]).
Another hats off to warrior change…. No nerf to the mobility advantage a warrior has. Just hit the necro and it is all good now.
So their answer is to make necro unable to carry to orb anymore…. (since this is basically only a nerf against death shroud since no one else really transforms to carry the orb [ele tornado? really?]).
Another hats off to warrior change…. No nerf to the mobility advantage a warrior has. Just hit the necro and it is all good now.
I agree with you. That’s why I keep pushing for the orb carrier to lose the ability to use any skill. Yes, different amount of HP would be available, but its not that big of a deal.
It would add a lot more strategy to the map as well since it would take some teamwork to capture an orb.
Hey guys, just wanted to pop in here and state that come the release of the feature build players will no longer be able to carry the orb while in a transform. For those unfamiliar with what a transform is in PvP, it is a skill that changes your skill bar. I.E Rampage, Elixir U, Tornado, etc. We’ve also trimmed off some hard edges on the map to make travel more smooth and functional.
Thanks and I hope this makes the map more enjoyable for those whom have issues with it.
Will leaps, teleports and invulns still be treated inconsistently between classes?
I agree with most on here. This map is the worst of the pvp maps and I cringe when I get it. I only play mesmer in pvp, so I’m sort of useless as an orb carrier. I agree about the transform, that’s a MUCH better idea and puts all orb carriers on the same playing field.
Another agreement from me that the orb /being/ a transform would be useful - with all movement speed traits negated too, a core set of skills, and (if possible) set health and armour levels.
Those with blocks would still have a slight advantage for channeling to pick up the orb, but the current problem of some classes just being plain inferior would be dealt with.
The only times I’ve ever seen someone /use/ a transform while carrying the orb is when I’ve tornado’d myself - and that’s not all that useful.
I disagree that the orb needs to be a transform for equal play because its being viewed from the scope of only having one game mode. One day we might even get build templates.
I disagree that the orb needs to be a transform for equal play because its being viewed from the scope of only having one game mode. One day we might even get build templates.
am I so sick this makes no sense, or does this really make no sense
I disagree that the orb needs to be a transform for equal play because its being viewed from the scope of only having one game mode. One day we might even get build templates.
am I so sick this makes no sense, or does this really make no sense
People want to change the orb on spirit watch because there is only conquest and they don’t want to change their build/class to run an orb.
I disagree that the orb needs to be a transform for equal play because its being viewed from the scope of only having one game mode. One day we might even get build templates.
am I so sick this makes no sense, or does this really make no sense
People want to change the orb on spirit watch because there is only conquest and they don’t want to change their build/class to run an orb.
Some builds are currently unstoppable at both picking up the orb and running it to an enemy point. Even if they did die it would take 3+ enemies focusing for long periods which means they get every point.
I disagree that the orb needs to be a transform for equal play because its being viewed from the scope of only having one game mode. One day we might even get build templates.
Huh? That doesn’t make any sense. This is a conquest game mode. Make the orb so that there isn’t an advantage to any class.
Think about it this way…. doing this also then opens the door to other game modes like CTF. CTF is not feasible as long as certain classes are better at orb running than others.
I’ve played the map hundreds of times but I don’t think I’ve even seen one person carry it transformed. Not even close the problem either way.
Carrying in plague form or ds (stab) was pretty much the sole option for necs, if they didn’t want to end up flying around the map (i.e. it was a last-resort kind of call to make in either case).
Tough luck!
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Just proves this map is unbalanced. Removing the ability to transform is a start, but the orb carrier shouldn’t be able to use any of their regular skills.
Another idea could be that when you pick up the orb, you automatically are set to 15,000 HP and 3000 toughness. That would make it totally fair. Same HP, same toughness, and no skills/utlities.
This is why capture the flag PvP never works in MMORPGs. Certain builds and certain professions always have abilities that break the intended gameplay. The only way to deal with it is to disable everything unique about each profession – the core of an RPG. And people hate it when you don’t let them play their profession.
Spirit Watch was an experiment to see if it could be done with some modified rules. It failed. The map is worse than Skyhammer.
While I understand your point of view, I’m an ex-WoW player and I could spend hours upon hours playing Warsong Gulch. That’s seriously the thing I miss most about WoW – I’ve never found anything that can replace the thrill of the Caprture the Flag from Warsong. Such an amazing game mode. The only negative was when it was unbalanced and people would camp the spawn point, but it was rarely an issue.
The key was that EVERY class had something to bring to the table. Balance was perfection, I thought. Keep in mind, I’m talking about the state of the game back in 2007-ish, so I don’t know what has changed since then.
I disagree that the orb needs to be a transform for equal play because its being viewed from the scope of only having one game mode. One day we might even get build templates.
Huh? That doesn’t make any sense. This is a conquest game mode. Make the orb so that there isn’t an advantage to any class.
Conquest is a strategically competitive game mode that anet chose to rocket to esports without a more casual game mode to fall back on.
It is the lack of a casual mode not making the more competitive mode more casual. Build templates would make it easier to switch builds.
