Guild Wars 2

The new expansion has been announced and we already know there will be a whole new proffession to play. Every existing class will have an option for a different specialization which means new weapon choices, traits and skills.

And I’m wondering what others think about it.

Do you think it’ll make the situation worse because there will be more builds that are broken? Or do you think it’ll bring more variety to the game? Do you think the frequency of balance patches will be better or it will still remain a problem?

I know this all is a speculation because we don’t have any details but I’m really interested in your opinions.

I’m excited about specializations. I think those will be easier to balance, kind of like Heroes in a MOBA.

The core professions will likely still be more flexible.

That’s my hope at least, specializations that are easier to balance and if you don’t like that specialization you can pick the core profession to play so that it has more flexibility to build in a different way.

Shockwave.1230:

I’m excited about specializations. I think those will be easier to balance

I think this will make balancing the game even harder. I guess balancing 8 classes is easier than 8 classes including specializations. Let’s say every class gets 2 specializations (if they even make it to PVP) then you have to balance the (now) 9 classes and 18 specializations. This won’t be an easy task, I guess. Maybe it will end up like GW1 which “balanced itself” as people say.
Besides that, new Weapons, Classes, Specializations will be great for build diversity.

First tell me how many specs each prof will have.

Also, incredibly hyped for Ritualist.

Anything that will keep “running around spamming crap” working will be bad.

Moving around has to had downsides. You can’t shoot with full accuracy on the move. That only creates bad gameplay.

Idunno maybe they’ll start balancing at a reasonable rate once HoT drops, but their balance history of doing double buffing or double nerfing something into god mode/uselessness and then “shaving” once every six months does not exactly breed confidence. There’s no way specializations and the new class aren’t going to open a whole new can of worms, that just comes naturally with an expansion like this. Hopefully they’ve learned from past mistakes though and there’ll be more of a focus on skillshots, active gameplay, and actually thought out risk vs. reward than more ai, uncounterable passives, and bullkitten gimmicks.

my opinion is that i do not have enough information to really say anything.

I took it as the specializations were only available in PvE, which would make it a non-issue for balance in PvP. Was I mistaken? It seemed like something “to help you get through the jungle”.

Shanks.2907:

I took it as the specializations were only available in PvE, which would make it a non-issue for balance in PvP. Was I mistaken? It seemed like something “to help you get through the jungle”.

masteries are only in pve. specializations are not the same thing.

Lopez.7369:

The game is pretty balanced as is. I don’t think adding a weapon, healing skill, three utility skills, and an elite skill for each class, as well as a new class, should be overwhelming for the balance team. (Of course, my numbers could change if they add multiple specializations for each class. That could be a problem if it’s like three or more specializations.)

3 classes playing cele → balance → esports

Balancing is a myth anyway. People seem to complain about the stagnation the most. This will change things up atleast.

Just a theory but if we are forced to get 1 and there are 5 for each classes based on trait lines with dedicated roles, a soft balance might be possible because instead of dozens of combinations you have 45 specific specs . But then what about amulets maybe a revamp?? I wonder but the controlled spec system could bring balance and encourage players to buy HoT even pvpers maybe even wvw players and hopefully not around conquest.

Sigh the waiting game.

It will make balance easier. Especially with stronghold.

Hard to say without knowing the details of the specialization system.

The only thing I can say for certain is that some of the new stuff is bound to be way too good at release and will get toned down within the first month or two. Other stuff will be weak and take longer to bring up to par.

Here is EXACTLY what specialization means (from limited info so far):-

Each class (so all 9 classes) will have a specialization.

A specialization will give that class a new specific weapon (pre-chosen by Anet not you), so example Ranger is getting a staff (5 new weapon skills).

You also get a new class title so Ranger becomes Druid or RangerDruid.

You get 1 new healing skill.

You get 1 new elite skill.

You get new utility skills (no one knows how many).

AFAIK that’s it, so far.

I don’t think it will make any difference at all to balance, since my personal opinion is Anet have not balanced the game in the 3 years they have tinkered with it so far. Just destroyed certain builds with nerfs and promoted others with tiny buffs, with absolutely no plan or reasoning to it.

Just my personal opinion.

Meglobob.8620:

A specialization will give that class a new specific weapon (pre-chosen by Anet not you), so example Ranger is getting a staff (5 new weapon skills).

All seemed to be accurate, but it’s not confirmed that each profession shall be getting only 1 new weapon option, nor will that be necessarily linked to the specialization only.

As far as I understood, maybe I’ll rewatch.

Is it balanced now?
Has it ever been?
Will it ever be?

1) Balance patch needs to be more frequently. It’s very very important. 6 Months + for a balance patch is too bad for the game. At least 1-2 month min.

2) What i don’t want to see in new class/spec:

1_ IA does everything (and flying turrets scare me….)
2_ Instant unpredictable strong stuff (direct damage/CC/Condi)
3_ Too strong passive stuff.
4_ Bad animations.

And in general i like to see this approach on every classes/specs in the entire game.

Meglobob.8620:

Here is EXACTLY what specialization means (from limited info so far):-

The important part is whether you’re locked into that skill set or if it’s just a set of new stuff. If you’re locked into that weapon and set of skills, then there’s a big balance problem: how do you make it appealing without making it better than what currently exists, since it’s hard to make it somewhat unique with what’s already there.

in pvp you will get access to a new weapon per class and new healing, elite, and probably 3 utility skills. AND a different class mechanic if you choose. he was saying druid for example has its own profession mechanic that is different than ranger (which means probably will replace your pet if you choose it)

I’m still not sure Specializations work outside of the Heart of Maguma, to be honest.

When Colin was discussing them I think he said something along the lines of “in the jungle, the Ranger becomes the Druid”, which can be interpreted two ways: either the Ranger learns how to be a Druid in the jungle, or the Ranger can be a Druid only inside the jungle.

I seem to be the only one with this doubt though, so maybe I misunderstood or misheard…

Maxwell.7843:

I’m still not sure Specializations work outside of the Heart of Maguma, to be honest.

When Colin was discussing them I think he said something along the lines of “in the jungle, the Ranger becomes the Druid”, which can be interpreted two ways: either the Ranger learns how to be a Druid in the jungle, or the Ranger can be a Druid only inside the jungle.

I seem to be the only one with this doubt though, so maybe I misunderstood or misheard…

I think the reason no one believes this is because it would be incredibly dumb and anti-hype for Arenanet to finally add new weapons and skills to each class and only make them usable within a certain PvE zone. People would legitimately be angry about this if it was the case. I’m 95-99% sure the new weapons and specializations will be usable in all game modes.

masteries are for maguuma and account bound

specializations are completely separate things.

Solstice.1097:

masteries are for maguuma and account bound

specializations are completely separate things.

Yeah I think this is correct. Although I think that they might also make certain masteries that work outside of maguuma. Both these systems are very vague at the moment, but they both seem like they would have lots of room the expand upon the concept. IE: I expect new specializations and masteries added after HoT either through Living Story or more expansions in the future.

Lopez.7369:

According to people at PAX who talked to Colin: Each class will only get one specialization at launch. Choosing a specialization will unlock new traits, but it will also restrict some old traits. It’s unclear whether you’ll have to activate the specialization to actually use the new weapon and healing, utility, and elite skills, but it certainly seems that way.

For me, the fact it restricts old traits — and maybe weapons and skills — is a good thing. One of the problems with other MMOs, particularly WOW and Guild Wars 1, is they add so much stuff each expansion that pretty soon it gets completely out of control. By actually restricting old abilities to make room for new ones, it should be a lot easier to balance.

I really hope the traits are focused on a specific previous line mainly focusing on the two stats so we can have at least 5, balance from there which will be way easier. People shouldn’t be scared of too specific specs as long you can customize it from traits and not utilities it can create rainbows!!!!

infantrydiv.1620:

Solstice.1097:

masteries are for maguuma and account bound

specializations are completely separate things.

Yeah I think this is correct. Although I think that they might also make certain masteries that work outside of maguuma. Both these systems are very vague at the moment, but they both seem like they would have lots of room the expand upon the concept. IE: I expect new specializations and masteries added after HoT either through Living Story or more expansions in the future.

Masteries will be game wide. Or atleast gathering the mastery points (but I guess that implies it’ll be useable outside the Maguuma too?).

http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/25/pax-south-2015-o-brien-and-johanson-on-guild-wars-2-s-heart-of/

Lopez.7369:

Masteries will be PvE-wide, but some of them (such hang gliders) will only be usable in the Maguuma Jungle.

Specializations will very likely be game-wide.

Is it confirmed that you’ll only be able to use the gliders in the jungle?

I think they could allow it everywhere if it works like a parachute. It would basically be a fall dmg reduction with an animation. They said ‘gusts of wind’ would be needed to fly.

I keep hearing that there is only one specialization per class. If so, I’m not concerned, as it doesn’t seem that the specializations will be like adding a class, it almost just sounds like it’s opening another build.

If they start taking away build tinkering and customization, I’m gone.

kodesh.2851:

If they start taking away build tinkering and customization, I’m gone.

What inspired this post?

I want looking forward for stronghold. Now that we will have 2 official pvp modes they will have to take in account stronghold for balance purposes not just conquest.

Roe.3679:

kodesh.2851:

If they start taking away build tinkering and customization, I’m gone.

What inspired this post?

The way Colin presented specializations at PAX made it seem like you’re locked into a weapon, a heal, an elite, and a small selection of utilities. When you have such a wide selection now, it feels dumb to limit yourself unless it’s incredibly powerful (which leads to balance issues).

xDudisx.5914:

I want looking forward for stronghold. Now that we will have 2 official pvp modes they will have to take in account stronghold for balance purposes not just conquest.

Stronghold will be casual PvP. If you read into what the developers have already said about it, it’s intended to appeal to a wider base with significant NPC invovlement. I’d really hate to see them balance around it.

Lopez.7369:

You misunderstood. It adds a new weapon, healing skill, utility skills, and elite skills to old options. Some of the old options might be restricted, but not all.

I saw you post that somewhere else. Can I get a source?

Either way, my point is that the presentation was very vague and it made it seem that way. Looks like they clarified afterwards.

The way that I look at it:

We’ve been approaching better balance in PvP very steadily. It’s better than a year ago, 2 years ago etc. Sometimes when they balance 3 things, 2 things get unbalanced. Etc. But there has been progress.

But it seems that each profession will get a new “spec”, if you will. So 8 new specs into the game, plus another profession on top of that…. This is probably going back 10 steps in terms of PvP balance. Something is going to be broken as hell. And knowing Anet, they will take months to actually fix it.

But, it does add variety, which I desperately want in the game. So, to me, I’m willing to ride this out. I just hope that they take their PvP balancing seriously post-xpac launch. Some aspects of PvP are obviously broken, yet they take months to fix it. Everyone knows that cele dd eles are broken, but it’s been many, many months since they actually got nerfed. They need to fix their cadence.