Guild Wars 2

When the reaper was revealed, a lot of people pointed out how shouts would fit another specialization better, particularly some kind of Banshee or death wailing specialization.

What I never saw anyone point out, was how poorly they fit the Reaper.

Just hear me out for a second and think about it.

The reaper is meant to embody the unrelenting unstoppable pursuer, in mythology how Death is often presented pursuing everyone and inevitably catching up with them. And in our modern day this inspired a lot of our horror genre villains like Freddy and Jason, who went full circle to further inspire the Reaper.

What doesn’t fit any of that? Dialogue, speech, shouting. From Death himself to Freddy and Jason and even newer additions like Slenderman, horror icons are all typified as silent pursuers. You hear heavy footsteps, heavy breathing, the ruffling of worn blood encrusted clothing, the clank and whir of weapons and other horrific implements, but these iconic characters are typified by very little if any dialogue. And what dialogue they have, is heavy and personal, stated right in the face of their victims, not shouted.

Because of this, I would suggest changing the skill type given to reaper from Shouts to Stances. The majority of the functionality would remain unchanged, but would be stretched out in stances that better serve to keep the enemy near you once you have them in your clutches, rather than applied instantly in shouts that can be easily cleared and juked.

Heal

• “Your Soul is Mine” – Heal yourself and strike foes around you, absorbing life force for each foe struck.
  Changed to:
  Consuming Stance – Enter a stance where you gain life and life force whenever you damage an enemy.

Utilities

• “Nothing can save you” – Damage foes around you, converting their boons into vulnerability. Your attacks become unblockable for a short time. The duration increases based on the number of foes struck.
  Changed to:
  Relentless – Enter a Stance where your attacks become unblockable, and you periodically convert enemy boons in to vulnerability.

• “Rise” – Damage foes around you. Summon a jagged horror near each enemy struck.
  Changed to:
  Overwhelming – Enter a stance where you summon a jagged horror whenever you damage an enemy.

• “Suffer” – Damage foes around you and chill them. Transfer a condition to each foe you strike.
  Changed to:
  Inescapable – Enter a stance where you chill foes around you, and transfer conditions whenever you damage an enemy.

• “You are all weaklings!” – Damage foes around you inflicting conditions on them and giving you boons per foe struck.
  Changed to:
  Insane – Enter a stance where you inflict conditions and gain boons when you damage an enemy.

Elite

• “Chilled to the Bone” – Freeze all enemies around. Gain boons for each foe you freeze.
  Changed to:
  Death Himself – Enter a stance where you freeze enemies and gain boons whenever you damage an enemy.

TLDR: Start at the first word, and read until the last. It’s not that long.

The " stance " idea is quite nice in general. However I already see the problem with ppl that can keep you always at a distance. Shouts got some minor range of around 600 if I remember correctly. Stances would only work if you would fight in melee range. Necros does not have the mobility to make a good use of stances unless there would be some stability / stun breaker/ swiftness stance. Also the other thing is how long the stance would last and how it would be activated. We can go further with your idea, tweak a bit of stance effects and maybe make them usable while you are in Reaper form.

Nouitra.1378:

The " stance " idea is quite nice in general. However I already see the problem with ppl that can keep you always at a distance. Shouts got some minor range of around 600 if I remember correctly. Stances would only work if you would fight in melee range. Necros does not have the mobility to make a good use of stances unless there would be some stability / stun breaker/ swiftness stance. Also the other thing is how long the stance would last and how it would be activated. We can go further with your idea, tweak a bit of stance effects and maybe make them usable while you are in Reaper form.

Yeah that’s definitely a part of it. This makes the reapers strengths stronger, our area where we are very dangerous and cannot be escaped, would be even more dangerous and inescapable. While simultaneously our weakness would become weaker.

We do have some help already though, Death’s charge and Infusing Terror are a marked improvement in pursuing targets over Dark Path and Doom. Plus, the reaper seems like it is really going to love Spectral Grasp, its everything the reaper wants in one fairly low CD package.

That said I could definitely see making some of these better, in particular, the ultimate, which in the end is just an AoE CC for team fights. That could be made in to a much more important clutch ability by becoming a high CD and risky, but high reward, pursuers stance. And I see no reason why they wouldn’t be usable in reaper form, not able to be activated obviously since they’re utilities, but certainly able to be proc’d.

Conncept.7638:

Elite

• “Chilled to the Bone” – Freeze all enemies around. Gain boons for each foe you freeze.
  Changed to:
  Death Himself – Enter a stance where you freeze enemies and gain boons whenever you damage an enemy.

TLDR: Start at the first word, and read until the last. It’s not that long.

Elite: Black Prison
stance duration 6seconds, cool-down 90 seconds
create a mobile ring (range 300) around you that enemies cannot cross

mobile guard hammer 5
epic monster theme
one can only dream

For all the discussion of sticking to the theme that was in the Reaper stream, I was pretty confused by the shout choice myself. I think the stance idea is great and would fit the Unstoppable Horror theme that the Reaper embodies way better then shouts.

When people were discussing the possibility of shouts for a necro spec before reaper was annouced, I think it was discussed primarily within the context of a Banshee-themed specialization that was more support focused.

I don’t know about all the other skills, but the elite would have to be:

Grenth’s Balance
When you hit a foe above your health level steal 500 health from them, when hitting a foe below your health level you take 500 damage. Gain 5 stacks of stab. 5 second duration, 60 second cooldown.

Zantmar.5406:

Conncept.7638:

Elite

• “Chilled to the Bone” – Freeze all enemies around. Gain boons for each foe you freeze.
  Changed to:
  Death Himself – Enter a stance where you freeze enemies and gain boons whenever you damage an enemy.

TLDR: Start at the first word, and read until the last. It’s not that long.

Elite: Black Prison
stance duration 6seconds, cool-down 90 seconds
create a mobile ring (range 300) around you that enemies cannot cross

mobile guard hammer 5
epic monster theme
one can only dream

That actually gives me an idea for one. Y’know how in horror movies, there’s always that moment when they think they’ve escaped the shambling horror coming after them? Then suddenly he just steps out of the shadows right in front of them brandishing his weapon, or grabs them out of nowhere from behind.

What about something like this for the elite:

Bloodsport
When you enter this stance, shadowstep to a nearby enemy within 900 range every second for the duration of the stance, favoring those you have most recently dealt damage to. This shadowstep does not interrupt ability use or channels.

Conncept.7638:

Zantmar.5406:

Conncept.7638:

Elite

• “Chilled to the Bone” – Freeze all enemies around. Gain boons for each foe you freeze.
  Changed to:
  Death Himself – Enter a stance where you freeze enemies and gain boons whenever you damage an enemy.

TLDR: Start at the first word, and read until the last. It’s not that long.

Elite: Black Prison
stance duration 6seconds, cool-down 90 seconds
create a mobile ring (range 300) around you that enemies cannot cross

mobile guard hammer 5
epic monster theme
one can only dream

That actually gives me an idea for one. Y’know how in horror movies, there’s always that moment when they think they’ve escaped the shambling horror coming after them? Then suddenly he just steps out of the shadows right in front of them brandishing his weapon, or grabs them out of nowhere from behind.

What about something like this for the elite:

Bloodsport
When you enter this stance, shadowstep to a nearby enemy within 900 range every second for the duration of the stance, favoring those you have most recently dealt damage to. This shadowstep does not interrupt ability use or channels.

this is interesting but goes against the necro design so it will never happen

zapv.8051:

I don’t know about all the other skills, but the elite would have to be:

Grenth’s Balance
When you hit a foe above your health level steal 500 health from them, when hitting a foe below your health level you take 500 damage. Gain 5 stacks of stab. 5 second duration, 60 second cooldown.

should be percentage based
edit ur hp compare to other guy’s hp i mean it dat way

Brokensunday.4098:

Conncept.7638:

Zantmar.5406:

Conncept.7638:

Elite

• “Chilled to the Bone” – Freeze all enemies around. Gain boons for each foe you freeze.
  Changed to:
  Death Himself – Enter a stance where you freeze enemies and gain boons whenever you damage an enemy.

TLDR: Start at the first word, and read until the last. It’s not that long.

Elite: Black Prison
stance duration 6seconds, cool-down 90 seconds
create a mobile ring (range 300) around you that enemies cannot cross

mobile guard hammer 5
epic monster theme
one can only dream

That actually gives me an idea for one. Y’know how in horror movies, there’s always that moment when they think they’ve escaped the shambling horror coming after them? Then suddenly he just steps out of the shadows right in front of them brandishing his weapon, or grabs them out of nowhere from behind.

What about something like this for the elite:

Bloodsport
When you enter this stance, shadowstep to a nearby enemy within 900 range every second for the duration of the stance, favoring those you have most recently dealt damage to. This shadowstep does not interrupt ability use or channels.

this is interesting but goes against the necro design so it will never happen

I don’t see how. We have a teleports on our base class at all times, and seeing how this specialization is very meleecentric, and would only become more so with stances, it only makes sense we would be given a little more chase potential as compared to the base class or the reaper with shouts.

Stances with a cast time? No thanks

nekretaal.6485:

Stances with a cast time? No thanks

Next necro spec will probably get cantrips with cast times. : ^ )

nekretaal.6485:

Stances with a cast time? No thanks

Where did I say they have a cast time? I designed them to work primarily off hit procs for good reason. You have the opportunity to avoid them by avoiding the attacks that follow their activation, no need for a cast time.

EDIT: I also took off the bonus damage in most cases, so doubly not needed. Not that I think the Reaper doesn’t warrant that extra damage, I’d just prefer to err on the side of caution then add it back in later, than make it default and see it removed later.

Your suggestions are not bad but i am certain that Anet will not change reaper that much anymore… So this topic is sadly kinda pointless (atleast for the reaper).

These just sound like Spectral skills.

That’s not to say that these sound better. I’d much prefer these versions. People would argue about them being uncounterable though, though you could just tell them “Don’t get hit by me while my stance is up.”

I’m not really sure what ANet’s thing is about Shouts. Do they want everyone to run trooper runes or something?

Why do you guys bother? Not like they are gonna change it… Bite the bullet and live with the crappy elite spec or whatever the kitten it’s called, if you don’t like it but necro is your main don’t buy the expansion, simple as that

As they said multiple times nothing is set in stone. And even if they have already announced the Reaper is going to get shouts, it is possible that they will (or have already) changed it. Just look at the revenant and it’s not swapping weapon policy. They changed it after having been announced and thanks to player feedback.

On topic, I think that stances would fit much better than shouts. Or hexes, as it has been suggested in another thread. Anyway, I think that at least on of the stances should be some kind of active defense skill, like insulin or block.

Either way, if they keep going with shouts, please please please give then a deep voice that would make Dhuum proud… like if it was death himself talking xD

Thalia Stark.2468:

On topic, I think that stances would fit much better than shouts. Or hexes, as it has been suggested in another thread. Anyway, I think that at least on of the stances should be some kind of active defense skill, like insulin or block.

Yes stances would fit reaper more but i dont think hexes do. I would rather have them on an other necro elite spec in the future.

Muchacho.2390:

Thalia Stark.2468:

On topic, I think that stances would fit much better than shouts. Or hexes, as it has been suggested in another thread. Anyway, I think that at least on of the stances should be some kind of active defense skill, like insulin or block.

Yes stances would fit reaper more but i dont think hexes do. I would rather have them on an other necro elite spec in the future.

true but what about curses i mean not the trait line i mean real curses

Brokensunday.4098:

true but what about curses i mean not the trait line i mean real curses

How would those curses work?

Nouitra.1378:

The " stance " idea is quite nice in general. However I already see the problem with ppl that can keep you always at a distance. Shouts got some minor range of around 600 if I remember correctly. Stances would only work if you would fight in melee range. Necros does not have the mobility to make a good use of stances unless there would be some stability / stun breaker/ swiftness stance. Also the other thing is how long the stance would last and how it would be activated. We can go further with your idea, tweak a bit of stance effects and maybe make them usable while you are in Reaper form.

There is a resolution, but it will probably make them to powerful!?
Stance with duration that can be stopped earlier by pressing it again and the end result is a shout. Similar to Warriors mace skill 2 “Counterblow” and Engineers shield skills.
My idea is a 2 part skills that are stances for few seconds and can be converted to shouts before they expire.

Stances or deceptions would both be so much cooler than shouts. Shouts are the most boring skill type imaginable tbh.

Heneil Stormcaller.2935:

Brokensunday.4098:

true but what about curses i mean not the trait line i mean real curses

How would those curses work?

back in gw1 we have stuff called hex falling in curses for example we can have a curse that punish them for hiting us etc insidious parasite ( can work like signet of vampirism pasive)

here is a note form gw1 wiki

Curses are spells or skills used to hinder, damage your enemy over time, or stop them from doing something. Curses are not too offensive, for they lack good damage over time. Skills such as Barbs and Mark of Pain are great support skills that have the potential to dish out damage, but you need a team of melee attackers to do so. Curses are extremely useful in defensive play because of their ability to hinder, and stop your foes from doing certain things.

This is a great suggestion. Shouts just don’t seem right for a necromancer, and are a bit dull. Plus, changing from shouts to stances would save them a lot of time and money since they would no longer require new voice acting.

Golgathoth.3967:

This is a great suggestion. Shouts just don’t seem right for a necromancer, and are a bit dull. Plus, changing from shouts to stances would save them a lot of time and money since they would no longer require new voice acting.

if we have 1 or 2 is ok I mean we supposed to be scary and stuff but our main defense mechanic curses and hex are out of the game this is why necro is in a bad spot right now

Stances should be really high uptime, but they’d have upsides and downsides so you’d want to cancel them. Something like:

“Unstoppable: You move at 15% reduced speed. No matter what”

i.e. You could be moving around while stunned chilled immobilized and knocked down, but you wouldn’t want to leave it on if that stuff has worn off because then you’d just be slowing yourself down.

Linnael.1069:

Stances should be really high uptime, but they’d have upsides and downsides so you’d want to cancel them. Something like:

“Unstoppable: You move at 15% reduced speed. No matter what”

i.e. You could be moving around while stunned chilled immobilized and knocked down, but you wouldn’t want to leave it on if that stuff has worn off because then you’d just be slowing yourself down.

No please no more self harm non rewarding mechanic corruptions are a fail already also they shouldn’t look up to war stances but higher war is being carried by Rampage so far and it’s the closest class to us.

The Mallyx corruptions also suck.

Sagat.3285:

Linnael.1069:

Stances should be really high uptime, but they’d have upsides and downsides so you’d want to cancel them. Something like:

“Unstoppable: You move at 15% reduced speed. No matter what”

i.e. You could be moving around while stunned chilled immobilized and knocked down, but you wouldn’t want to leave it on if that stuff has worn off because then you’d just be slowing yourself down.

No please no more self harm non rewarding mechanic corruptions are a fail already also they shouldn’t look up to war stances but higher war is being carried by Rampage so far and it’s the closest class to us.

The Mallyx corruptions also suck.

non rewarding? The thing i threw out would be a stupidly overpowered piece of kitten. are you even joking here.

Linnael.1069:

Sagat.3285:

Linnael.1069:

Stances should be really high uptime, but they’d have upsides and downsides so you’d want to cancel them. Something like:

“Unstoppable: You move at 15% reduced speed. No matter what”

i.e. You could be moving around while stunned chilled immobilized and knocked down, but you wouldn’t want to leave it on if that stuff has worn off because then you’d just be slowing yourself down.

No please no more self harm non rewarding mechanic corruptions are a fail already also they shouldn’t look up to war stances but higher war is being carried by Rampage so far and it’s the closest class to us.

The Mallyx corruptions also suck.

non rewarding? The thing i threw out would be a stupidly overpowered piece of kitten. are you even joking here.

You are not one of the devs there is always some(to much) miscommunication between us and them so what the community wants/needs isn’t usually what it gets. First you said high uptime and cancel ability that’s not stance like at all so it’s off the table :/ since they like themes so much. They still think they did something great by nerfing Consume Conditions and creating MoC…for death’s sake pick any other condition but blind to put on traited Consume Conditions.