Guild Wars 2

This game was founded on the principle that all things accessible in the game be automatically unlocked in PvP. Doing so allows easy experimentation and doesn’t put in a cost or wait-time to try something new (thus decentivizing new builds/strategies).

I fear that your new traits system will follow the same structure that your new heals did; force us to do PvE to unlock usage of them, or make gaining the new skills a long and grindy progress in PvP. This is the kind of situation that get exponentially -worse- with each added trait/skill requiring an unlock.

Don’t go down this road.

This needs an answer on the future plans of this trait system, and if PvPers are going to be forced into PvE to get traits/skills in a realistic manner.

If this is true, I’d strongly rethink the strategy.

So I rarely ever complain here, but I think this is the tip of a huge issue, and I really have to get this out. Consider this:

I think the Anet rational for purchased traits is that since gold is now earned in pvp, it needs to have a corresponding gold sink. I also understand that trait and skill unlocks are seen as horizontal, and thus shouldn’t hinder players in pvp.

Here’s my problems:

1- Horizontal progression is still vertical progression. Access to more skills and traits allows for more permutations in builds, more statistical access to meta quality builds. 1 or 2 trait/skill unlocks doesn’t seem like much now, but if Anet continues on this path it’s going to be more and more apparent that longer playing players have a distinct advantage.

2- Freedom to experiment. One of the core great features of gw2 pvp. Unlike any other game, in gw2 you have the freedom to try any class, play any spec, and learn everything you can from it. I never fully understand another build until I play it. When you start creating meta builds that require unlocks, you destroy that amazing learning experience.

This game’s pvp was originally built on the concept of an equal playing field. No restricted skills, gear to grind, etc. That’s an amazing concept, and one of the core reasons I play gw2 pvp and not SWTOR or WOW. I think it’s extremely dangerous to mess with that formula. I really really urge Anet to reconsider this and future updates.

Charge as much as you want for cosmetics if you want a gold sink, don’t mess with the actual pvp.

OverlordOutpost.5961:

This game was founded on the principle that all things accessible in the game be automatically unlocked in PvP. Doing so allows easy experimentation and doesn’t put in a cost or wait-time to try something new (thus decentivizing new builds/strategies).

I fear that your new traits system will follow the same structure that your new heals did; force us to do PvE to unlock usage of them, or make gaining the new skills a long and grindy progress in PvP. This is the kind of situation that get exponentially -worse- with each added trait/skill requiring an unlock.

Don’t go down this road.

Apples and oranges argument. PvP gear grinds in other games are a totally different animal in terms of time sink. ToR had a terrible gear grind. All we have to do is spend some gold. I actually want them to tie the new GM traits into a tutorial for PvP. We need a new tutorial more than we need PvP players being “unlocked” but still unknowledgeable.

Don’t really want to bother wasting any more time on providing feedback that nobody will read, so I’m just gonna quote my rant from another thread.

Kaon.7192:

Why do I get the feeling that each and every single one of these new traits will be at least as much of a grind as the 25 SP healing skills?

Being disadvantaged in terms of trait/skill build options is no better than being disadvantaged in terms of gear/stats.

All sPvP had going for it was the fact that everybody had access to the same build options regardless of how much or little time you had to spend grinding. This simple ideal is at the foundation of any truly competitive e-sports game.

Well, if sPvP wasn’t already a joke before, it certainly is now. Very funny, ANet.

For the record, I did try to provide constructive feedback when the 25 SP healing skills rolled out. Much good that did.

Kaon.7192:

For me, the greatest appeal for sPvP in this game is the ideal that everybody should be able to compete on a level playing field regardless of time investment.

Please don’t make sPvP players, new or old, grind their way to equality.

It’s hard to put into words how stupid Anet is with its PvP, but they really are bad. Literally every patch makes sPvP a little worse. “Tons of new traits and balance changes!”

Hooray!

“Oh, but you have to pay to unlock the new features in the competitive esports gamemode LOL”

Oh…

This is hilarious. I knew it ever since they charged skillpoints and said on some stream that you’d have to pay to unlock new runesets and stat amulets. What a joke. They really do want sPvP dead. The entire premise of the stupid thing is that everyone is equal, always. I’d really love to ask for a refund. Who do I talk to? Screw you guys, I’m going home.

Considering how successful the unlocking of new Heal Skills was, I sincerely hope ANet reconsiders this change.

Quite simply the strong traits will require a grind to unlock and the seemingly less useful ones will remain locked forever hampering potential build diversity.

Helpfully provided in the other thread by Jamais vu.5284, whom is clearly an intelligent consumer with critical thinking skills and a memory: https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/looking-ahead-guild-wars-2-in-2013/

Specifically,

The addition of new skills and traits on a regular basis will of course mean expanded variety of abilities, builds, and tactics in PvP as well. As these additional skills and traits are added, they’ll be automatically unlocked and available for competitive PvP just like all existing skills/traits work today.

I’m confused, Arenanet. My poor and small brain can’t understand why the things you told us before are not like the things that I’m reading now. Surely PvP is an important game mode that prioritizes competitive play and good developers like you guys that respect us would never do anything to change that by going against the principles behind the game mode. The cognitive dissonance is rotting away my sanity and reason. Pls help

TainoFuerte.8136:

Helpfully provided in the other thread by Jamais vu.5284, whom is clearly an intelligent consumer with critical thinking skills and a memory: https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/looking-ahead-guild-wars-2-in-2013/

Specifically,

The addition of new skills and traits on a regular basis will of course mean expanded variety of abilities, builds, and tactics in PvP as well. As these additional skills and traits are added, they’ll be automatically unlocked and available for competitive PvP just like all existing skills/traits work today.

This quote is pure gold! I’m waiting for dev post that can explain why we have been lied to since the start?

For PvP players this game had 3 selling points: 1.) Level playing field for everyone with access to all gear/traits. 2.) No monthly fee. 3.) Instant level cap in PvP

What keeps all 200 pvp players playing is 1.) No monthly fee and 2.) Great combat mechanics. 3.) Level playing field.

You are removing number 3 (already started with the new heals and that didn’t go so well^^) and with this direction, you will lose more of the players who you lied to and scammed them to buy your “competitive pvp” game.

Brigg.6189:

So I rarely ever complain here, but I think this is the tip of a huge issue, and I really have to get this out. Consider this:

I think the Anet rational for purchased traits is that since gold is now earned in pvp, it needs to have a corresponding gold sink. I also understand that trait and skill unlocks are seen as horizontal, and thus shouldn’t hinder players in pvp.

Here’s my problems:

1- Horizontal progression is still vertical progression. Access to more skills and traits allows for more permutations in builds, more statistical access to meta quality builds. 1 or 2 trait/skill unlocks doesn’t seem like much now, but if Anet continues on this path it’s going to be more and more apparent that longer playing players have a distinct advantage.

2- Freedom to experiment. One of the core great features of gw2 pvp. Unlike any other game, in gw2 you have the freedom to try any class, play any spec, and learn everything you can from it. I never fully understand another build until I play it. When you start creating meta builds that require unlocks, you destroy that amazing learning experience.

This game’s pvp was originally built on the concept of an equal playing field. No restricted skills, gear to grind, etc. That’s an amazing concept, and one of the core reasons I play gw2 pvp and not SWTOR or WOW. I think it’s extremely dangerous to mess with that formula. I really really urge Anet to reconsider this and future updates.

Charge as much as you want for cosmetics if you want a gold sink, don’t mess with the actual pvp.

+1
You my friend are 100% right.