Guild Wars 2

GW2 pvp really feels random, you either use as many skills as possible, spam condition as much as possible or just burn your target down.
Unlike gw1 there was a activation time bar that you could see on your target.
But in GW2 it is almost impossible to have control over your interrup skills.
you either have to memorize all of the movements and animation of each class . . . .
Know all the builds that people use.
Or follow your intuition and take the gamble.

I think Anet should at the activation bar for the sake of all GW2 classes
(EDIT: Activation bar for all Skills as most of them have an activation time so not only caster class).
Especially in the tournements the activation bar will create an extra demension to the battles and teamplay.
Atm GW2 pvp is not even close to GW1 pvp

Or, like in most other games, memorize all of the movements and animations of each class (not to mention race).

You had it right in your complaint.

I vastly prefer having to actually learn how an opponent’s build works to know when to interrupt, versus “There’s a cast bar → Interrupt”.

EnRohbi.2187:

I vastly prefer having to actually learn how an opponent’s build works to know when to interrupt, versus “There’s a cast bar -> Interrupt”.

Sorry but the more “skilled” players actually avoided that mentality. It’s very tempting to rupt a long cast time meteor shower, yeah. But wouldn’t you rather interrupt that Healing Rain?

You also have to remember, you can’t just keep interrupting one target, that would be just trolling. Its much better to spread and control the interrupts to gain a better advantage.

I’m not saying I agree with the OP (I have memorized most of the animations already anyway…) but that kind of mentality of “cast bar!!! INTERRUPT!!!” is more trolling than anything really

LumAnth.5124:

EnRohbi.2187:

I vastly prefer having to actually learn how an opponent’s build works to know when to interrupt, versus “There’s a cast bar -> Interrupt”.

Sorry but the more “skilled” players actually avoided that mentality. It’s very tempting to rupt a long cast time meteor shower, yeah. But wouldn’t you rather interrupt that Healing Rain?

You also have to remember, you can’t just keep interrupting one target, that would be just trolling. Its much better to spread and control the interrupts to gain a better advantage.

I’m not saying I agree with the OP (I have memorized most of the animations already anyway…) but that kind of mentality of “cast bar!!! INTERRUPT!!!” is more trolling than anything really

Well,
Yeah.
In case you misinterpreted something, I said I don’t like that playstyle or mentality.

I can interrupt when it’s necessary with or without the cast bar to watch,
Most of a classes skills that you actually want to interrupt are fairly well telegraphed (Like heals, they’re fairly easy to pick out of a rotation most of the time.)

Also the interrupt from diversion is not instant anyway so you need to be able topredict your opponents behavior to some extent.

EnRohbi.2187:

I vastly prefer having to actually learn how an opponent’s build works to know when to interrupt, versus “There’s a cast bar -> Interrupt”.

How do you want to learn them all?
Everyone have their own playstyle own rotations, that means that you have to observe all the players in a fight. That is almost impossible in such a sort time and its vital in a tournement.

I mean pvp should be based on experience, timing, reflex, surroundings, communication, teamplay and position.
In pvp people mostly spam all their cooldowns and conditions. People almost do not even think about what they are doing, as long they do not go down and kill the target. especially in a big fight.
A activation bar will also give people better control over their dodge roll and let people think twice before they go rampage on a target.
The activation bar calls for more experience, timing, reflex, surroundings, teamplay, communication and position.
Check some PVP tournement on twitch and youtube with Teamspeak. They only contribute location and position, but never communicate about the Combat, situation or teamplay(only zerg and location).
Because there is totally no control over fights in PVP.

(Edit in op)