Guild Wars 2

Currently in GW2 we have two ways for players to group in WvW and PvE. You either form multiple 5 man groups and run together or use the commander and squad system using the commander pin as a visual point to rally.

Running with multiple 5 man groups and trying to coordinate with a 3rd party voice program is the only viable way to form “private” forces in WvW. This leads to people getting scattered at times and is not as effective when you have a “visual” icon on the mini map for groups to rally on.

Using the commander and squad system certainly helps players see where the commander is but you lose complete control over the number of players and makeup of your forces. It’s completely inflexible for forming private guild squads or specialty havoc forces that are trying to stay under the 25 person limit to prevent orange swords.

They need to allow commanders to hide the pin AND still retain all the functions of a squad… this is the simplest way to allow guilds and players to group they way the want. It’s time….

I second this. But, not only to commanders as I think you’ve kinda stated here. Give commanders the full abilities of their “squads” and a larger number for which they can have grouped up. Give others the ability to form their own groups as well (like “raids” from other MMOs). This will give those without voice comms or other means of communication to give “commands” in a chat that only that group sees….creating “tactical” groups.

ktith.6197:

I second this. But, not only to commanders as I think you’ve kinda stated here. Give commanders the full abilities of their “squads” and a larger number for which they can have grouped up. Give others the ability to form their own groups as well (like “raids” from other MMOs). This will give those without voice comms or other means of communication to give “commands” in a chat that only that group sees….creating “tactical” groups.

They need to realize players and guilds have a full range of playstyles and what those guilds and players consider “fun”. Having only a single in-game grouping system for more than 5 people that gives no control over the number of people in it or the makeup of the forces just doesn’t work for some people. Some players and guilds don’t enjoy zerging but there is no effective way to form medium size forces for under 25 players.

Having 4-5 separate groups running beside each in WvW with hopefully everyone in 3rd party voice program is not an “Effective grouping system”.

This is a major “need” in this game, and especially in WvW. I think its crazy that our squad system in GW2 of 2013 is more basic than the raid system in EQ back in 2000ish.

We need to be able to see the party makeups of those in our squads. Commanders should really have a lot of control over the squad, including possibly the ability to form and re-assign groups, and the ability to invite to squad, and accept/reject squad invite requests. Squads should really be “super parties”.

Commander tags could have different selectable modes:

- current “Zerg”/ “platoon” mode.
- non-Zerg, say “General” mode (as in rank), which means don’t Zerg on me, but I know what I’m talking about, listen to me if giving orders in a castle/keep etc. means multiple commanders can have a tag up, without confusing the Zerg.
- “patrol” mode – private group – tag only visible on map to those who join, but player name has special icon, similar to map completion icon – maybe limit size to 25-30

And while we are at it, give each of the above some identifier in chat, so people know who to really listen too.

Want a private group?

Form up parties and target the leader. It is a great way to identify leader while keeping groups private.

runeblade.7514:

Want a private group?

Form up parties and target the leader. It is a great way to identify leader while keeping groups private.

Did you even read OP?

runeblade.7514:

Want a private group?

Form up parties and target the leader. It is a great way to identify leader while keeping groups private.

That’s what we do…. simply because there is no other choice in game for GW2. As I mentioned in the OP, we have to make multiple 5 person groups and try to stay together as best we can. This usually involves a 3rd party voice program and marking a leader/driver for the groups. The downside is once you hit an enemy force the individual groups start marking targets and if you need to retreat or rally it’s hard to find the leader/driver again to mark him.

We’ve used the commander and squad system for running private guild WvW and we’ve used the separate 5 person groups in 3rd party voice and marking leader for private guild WvW. The commander and squad system was far superior for coordinating in game and regrouping. As well as having a visual marker, you can set rally points everyone can see and use a separate chat channel for anyone not in the 3rd party voice program.

The problem with flagging the commander pin is it no longer becomes a private guild event or medium size havoc force… you are inviting everyone in the zone. Hence the need to allow commanders to hide the pin AND still retain all the functions of a squad…. it can be used for ANY situation with any number of people.

Jong.5937:

Commander tags could have different selectable modes:

- current “Zerg”/ “platoon” mode.
- non-Zerg, say “General” mode (as in rank), which means don’t Zerg on me, but I know what I’m talking about, listen to me if giving orders in a castle/keep etc. means multiple commanders can have a tag up, without confusing the Zerg.
- “patrol” mode – private group – tag only visible on map to those who join, but player name has special icon, similar to map completion icon – maybe limit size to 25-30

And while we are at it, give each of the above some identifier in chat, so people know who to really listen too.

Almost this exact idea was suggested in BW1. I’m not sure if Arenanet is aware of how frustrated people are with the lack of flexible grouping systems or if they just don’t feel it’s a priority. It almost feels like they want people to zerg and are not implementing any other system that takes away from that. I’m not going to tell any other player how to play… if they enjoy zerging then zerg away and have fun. But those players that don’t enjoy zerging are forced to use nothing when you can’t group more than 5 people in a private system.

First they need to fix the Squad function. After this long, it’s obvious it isn’t a priority for them.

People have been asking for a raid party since the launch of the game and early beta’s. Do you really think if Anet didn’t listen then, they will listen now ? You can see what kind of people they have up there when they buff Arrowcarts by 80% a clear indicator that they have no real feel on Wvwvw, no employee in the thick of it to actually test and realise what is going on out there.

I would even prefer having a group defined by more than 5 players… why should it be fixed/capped to 5 actually? Can’t that be flexible – so that guilds can run in a sep group all together not using a commander?

Neeho.3859:

First they need to fix the Squad function. After this long, it’s obvious it isn’t a priority for them.

It’s really simple to create a system that works in every situation.

- They allow commanders to hide the pin.
- They allow commanders to form squads.

Solution: Allow commanders to hide the pin AND still form squads.

Now we have a private squad system that can be used for guild members only or for creating specific sized forces in WvW. Is this really that hard to implement?

Squads and commanders seem to be focused around selling gold.

groups got one good working feature: the group target icon.

otherwise:
- Guild members text color is more visible not in a group
- squads seem useless, cant share targets or even show peoples health etc
- We never wanted people outside our groups to see our commander
- Opening up guild menu to click on your friends and invite to group gives one option: report. … seriously.. so handy… how about invite instead?

3 tags: blue = anyone; orange = commander’s demand (formation), green or red = only guildies.

Faux Sheaux.6179:

runeblade.7514:

Want a private group?

Form up parties and target the leader. It is a great way to identify leader while keeping groups private.

Did you even read OP?

Then there is zero reason for this thread then if he thought about it.

When does nord field more than a group? Mostly see you guys solo in wvw.

At first, I thought having a special icon or way to form larger parties would be a good thing. It would allow for coordination of larger parties.

But… one of the reasons why I have been introduced into WvWvW is because of the commander system. I do NOT pvp nor have I had much of a reason to during my MMO career (other than the occasional let’s try this). When I came to WvWvW, I was lost for the first few days. Then I saw the Blue Icon. It was like a protective shell inside the zerg. It was a great way to figure out the system without cluttering up the map chat with questions. Slowly I found ways to be useful solo and within small impromptu groups.

I want to thank you A-Net for having either a 5 man group or a commander icon. It forces people to play with others

runeblade.7514:

Faux Sheaux.6179:

runeblade.7514:

Want a private group?

Form up parties and target the leader. It is a great way to identify leader while keeping groups private.

Did you even read OP?

Then there is zero reason for this thread then if he thought about it.

The point is the GW2 grouping systems are not adequate. MMO’s that came out 6 years ago had a far superior system for grouping…. for a modern MMO it seems GW2 doesn’t have a modern grouping system. The commander and squad system could can be slightly altered to fit everyone’s playstyle. Players could simply form it they way they need or want.

It’s just a lackluster and completely inflexible system for grouping.

LetoII.3782:

When does nord field more than a group? Mostly see you guys solo in wvw.

We have some set nights for guild runs. But often we just seem to have a group or two out. We prefer a roaming/Havoc style. Many of us are just getting frustrated with the inability to coordinate multiple groups as well as it could be. Yes, we mark a leader/driver and use 3rd party vent…. but a couple of simple changes to the C&S system would make grouping multiple private groups A LOT easier.

Talmor.9048:

I want to thank you A-Net for having either a 5 man group or a commander icon. It forces people to play with others

I’m glad you enjoy the current system. Unfortunately many of do not. Have the tools available to form squads any way you want and players will choose the system that works best. Even if they had private squads, there would always be public Zerg commanders in the zones. Now you would also have more medium sized forces spread out in the zone and have dynamic fighting everywhere..