Guild Wars 2

The 5 man group vs the all too popular zerg.

Both styles of gameplay should be allowed without restriction in WvW.

However, currently, the balance is a bit lopsided. People (note: not ALL people) seem to be more drawn to zerg, than to work in smaller groups. I believe this to be due to the fact that zergs give a somewhat false vision of being able to succeed at more things. Or the “safety in large numbers” concept.

Small groups can be extremely helpful and effective to the objectives on the map, but the lure of what zergs offer seem to over power that aspect. Added to the fact that badge drops seem no different whether im solo (1 vs 1), or in a zerg, there really isnt a gameplay benefit for not being in a zerg.

Would it be too game breaking if they implemented some sort of extra bonus for small groups? Here are some things that could be tweaked to give better rewards to people who arent in a zerg:

- Badge drop chance
- Karma rewarded
- Coin rewarded

Rewarding a player in a zerg the same amount of the above things, as someone in a much smaller group, isnt really rewarding someone for their efforts or gameplay. A 5 man that takes a supply camp works harder than 40 people in a zerg, taking the same camp. Why should the 40 get the same reward as the 5? Shouldnt it scale in a sense? TIP: dont take away the current amount earned in a zerg, simply boost the amount earned in a small group.

Maybe they could just make it so that zerg gave better of one thing, and small groups gave more of something else. Like better badges and karma in small groups, better coin and xp in zergs (from events and captures)

They could also give some specific gameplay bonuses depending on if you were in a smaller group, or zerg. For instance:

5 players or less (even if not grouped, but in the same proximity):
—— 50% increased repair speed
—— 50% increased sentry and supply capture rate

20 players or more (even if not grouped, but in the same area)
—— 50% build rate for siege weapons
—— 50% increased keep capture rate

They would give strategic reasons to join a smaller group, or a zerg.

You can get pretty far with a small group, just don’t hang around after you’ve drawn attention to yourselves; once that big orange X appears on the map you’re going to have a mindless, drooling, horde drawn down upon your position and should run.

It’s not too hard to cap a fully upgraded supply camp as a group of 5 and by the time people are responding you ninja capping the first camp you can be well to your way to the second or safely back in your own territory.

If you’re really feeling like having some fun gather a group of ~10 people in Danelon/Pangloss and build Ballistas at the entrance; your organised small group can hold off an entire army.

A group of three people can take a tower if it is undefended.

A group of five can do amazing things so long as they don’t try and fight the zerg.

If you see the zerg do not engage.