Guild Wars 2

After reading the Guardian description provided by the devs, I was a little underwhelmed, especially about the ‘powerful boons’ statement. How does a guardian feel more powerful with boons than any other class in this game? I don’t feel we get anything really exceptional when it comes to boons compared to others, so what is the differentiators that makes that statement significant for Guardians? I don’t see it.

Bottom line here: I think if the devs were to adjust their description of guardians to say that they are more powerful because their are virtuous (i.e., they get a special ability to apply power through virtues) then they have a way forward to give guardians that something special that is lacking from the boons that everyone else has access to. The difference is perhaps subtle but basically, virtues have parameters that can be adjusted ONLY for guardians and for ALL guardians. Boons do not.

Proposal: If the virtue system were expanded or made more customizable, then Anet would have a real way to allow guardians to differentiate themselves in power with a unique ability.

You mean customize the virtue sistem with traits? and How?
it can be a good idea, but not with the existing virtue sistem, Too long base CD when you use the activated part. The only fun to use is the virtue of justice, that have a mid time CD and its customizable to Blind enemies or refresh with kills.

I’m not really offering a suggestion how to do it but the fact that Virtues are unique to Guardians makes it a really easy and interesting way to make it that uniquely powerful thing the description implies

Off the top of my head, there are a few ways to do this. Yes, it could be traits, but I think we already have that. It could be other things like:

1. Stacking boons in a virtue (not so original and questionable since it’s boons again)
2. A special ability in a virtue that isn’t a boon (e.g. passive condition removal, a condition ‘blocker’ or immunity to fear for instance)
3. Reductions on CD’s or increases condition duration
4. damage absorbing capability or a temp boost in HP.

I feel there is room to add a virtue as well.

It really could be anything you can imagine, but the point is that it’s a Guardian thing that’s unique that can be adjusted with minimal impact to other classes. That can’t be done with boons.