Well, this seems like a great place to ask!
- What runes/sigils would you like to see added to PvP?
- And for any adventurous readers, what different stat combinations on amulets?
Grouch, careful now.
Adding too many different amulets and runes/sigils might only make things worse.
Imo there are already way too many sigils and runes that are not used, so adding more just seems silly.
This.
people are under the misconception that adding more variety of amulets will allow for a higher variety of builds. While some new builds may become viable as a result, more than less it will just strengthen the builds that are already being used.
Also, its a popular belief that adding more variety of options means more viable builds. Truth is, there is already tons of options of amulets/runes/traits and yet MORE than 50% of them are unused or considered weak. There will always be just 1-3 builds that all the min/maxers and competitive players deem useful per profession. Because there will always be the best combinations…and anything that is not the best, will be considered a bad choice.
with the example of the traits, how arenanet constantly has to rebalance them and rework them, and yet despite their efforts the majority of them are never used competitively. While they definitely have made improvements, it still boils down to only a few being “good”.
So what REALLY happens when you add a ton more options and variety of choices for customization? You create nub traps.
Nub traps are choices you can make “an item, ability, etc” that a new player will choose thinking it sounds good….but in actuality is insufficient and weaker and thus considered not viable. This means most players trying to get into the game are forced to copy/paste the top players builds (thus not making choices or innovations) or make the wrong choice over and over until they stumble onto something close to what is the best, thus being discouraged for a long time.
Some of the best (competitive) games do not have tons of pre-game strategy in the form of talents/masteries. Those that do, “wow/LoL” (yes wow isn’t an esport, but for comparison) usually start consolidating them as time goes on…making people really just stick to 1 of 3 options. As lol did with their talents, and League did with its masteries. Look at the top LoL players rune pages, you’ll realize that its really just 3-5 combinations that everyone uses. Despite there being 100’s of possible combinations.
So, as arenanet gets more competitive. They will either have to make the choice to higher on 300 testers and constantly fight the uphill battle of balancing and making the 1000 masterys/traits/runes/sigils/amulets/gems all viable. Or slim things back, to a few core choices that allow each player to play a small choice of viable play styles (either way, only a few will be considered viable anyway).
