Guild Wars 2

It’s not like there aren’t a ton of bifrost necros running around out there, so esthetically conforming to some green/death/skull/..whatever theme is hardly a requirement for most players.
Personally, I was never a fan of most of our current legendaries, but those three new ones actually look really sexy. Not sure if I want to use any of them on my necro, but they are certainly something to grind some gold for.

I agree… never cared about legendaries before but I think I will strive to get this one. Just the one question for those of you with them… can we use the special stats (Keepers, Sinister, etc.)? I never saw those in the selectable drop-down for the ascended/exotics of the BWE’s.

It will fit for my druid and her raven (named Edgar) and my Chillomancer. However, Coldsnap and the costume fan (to cool foes) fits for the other side of things.

Lewis Burnell.2493:

Lily.1935:

Gaile Gray.6029:

I love LOVE that staff. It’s beautiful and has a wonderful name: Nevermore. Excited about that.

Silverkey.2078:

I see it more as a ranger (druid) weapon, with a branch and a crow, this screams “nature magic” to me…

Agree. And I will try to get it for my new Druid.

A dead enchanted branch with spectral lights floating around it and a prominent symbol of death hanging around it? Sure… Nature magic.. Not ritualist or necromancery at all. RIIIIIIIGGGHHHT……

I’m totally getting this for my necro.

It’s a branch, with wisps, actually. And yes, it has a crow on it but all the accompanying animations are bright and vibrant. The wisps blue, the bird animation bright blue. It’s not necromancy in anyway, unless you want to shoe-horn in the thought that it is. If the orbs were dark, or green and the branch black, I’d see it. As it stands, definitely for Druid.

Its not crows. Its ravens. First off. Its called “Nevermore”. A poem by Edgar Allan Poe, The raven says this phrase over and over again. Reading it it sounds like madness but he attributes the raven to spirits and demons. In history and mythology the raven is seen as a symbol of death. Seeing as its a carrion feeder they often hang around the dead, devouring their flesh. The imagery of the raven is often associated with the grim reaper as the messenger of his arrival. Wisps as you called them, or Will-o-wisp is a Atmospheric ghost lights. Wondering spirits of the dead, demons or faeries. The dead branch looks like its from a Ghost tree. Though I don’t currently remember where i’ve heard that one before. I know there was a Ghost tree around my house when I was a kid and it always gave me this uneasy feeling. Though I was just a kid.

The coloring is also right for the dead as well. Blue lights are often used to represent the spirits and pushing it further the new elite specialization reaper actually uses far more blues and turquoises in its coloring than previous necromancer has. Although core necromancer has used both blues and greens prior, the reaper pushes that a bit. Also considering that the symbol for toggling out of reaper’s shroud is a raven and there is a heavy raven theme going on with the reaper. Which makes perfect sense to me since I’ve always been fascinated by death and the raven is my favorite bird. The connection to me only made perfect sense. I’m not stretching anything.

Also, some poetry:

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`‘Tis some visitor,’ I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.’

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; – vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow – sorrow for the lost Lenore -
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore -
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me – filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
`‘Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -
This it is, and nothing more,’

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
`Sir,’ said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you’ – here I opened wide the door; -
Darkness there, and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!’
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!’
Merely this and nothing more.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
`Surely,’ said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -
‘Tis the wind and nothing more!’

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door -
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,’ I said, `art sure no craven.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore -
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning – little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door -
Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as `Nevermore.’

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered – not a feather then he fluttered -
Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before -
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.’
Then the bird said, `Nevermore.’

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
`Doubtless,’ said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore -
Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore
Of “Never-nevermore.”’

But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking `Nevermore.’

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o’er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o’er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
`Wretch,’ I cried, `thy God hath lent thee – by these angels he has sent thee
Respite – respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’

`Prophet!’ said I, `thing of evil! – prophet still, if bird or devil! -
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -
On this home by horror haunted – tell me truly, I implore -
Is there – is there balm in Gilead? – tell me – tell me, I implore!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’

`Prophet!’ said I, `thing of evil! – prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us – by that God we both adore -
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore -
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels name Lenore?’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’

`Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!’ I shrieked upstarting -
`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! – quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted – nevermore!

Lily.1935:

Lewis Burnell.2493:

Lily.1935:

Gaile Gray.6029:

I love LOVE that staff. It’s beautiful and has a wonderful name: Nevermore. Excited about that.

Silverkey.2078:

I see it more as a ranger (druid) weapon, with a branch and a crow, this screams “nature magic” to me…

Agree. And I will try to get it for my new Druid.

A dead enchanted branch with spectral lights floating around it and a prominent symbol of death hanging around it? Sure… Nature magic.. Not ritualist or necromancery at all. RIIIIIIIGGGHHHT……

I’m totally getting this for my necro.

It’s a branch, with wisps, actually. And yes, it has a crow on it but all the accompanying animations are bright and vibrant. The wisps blue, the bird animation bright blue. It’s not necromancy in anyway, unless you want to shoe-horn in the thought that it is. If the orbs were dark, or green and the branch black, I’d see it. As it stands, definitely for Druid.

snip

You don’t need to go that far.

The fact is that Raven is death. One of grenth’s theme is ICE.

Death tree branch + bird of death + with Ice being a symbol of death in Guild wars 2 lore.

The truth is you are probably not going to convince him, since his opinion is set in stone.

I think part of the issue comes from people carrying over notions from other games, in particular WoW. Wisps and bird imagery are very big in Night Elf lore, especially their druids – so I think we’re seeing some of that bleed into reactions to the staff (at least that’s how I’m seeing it). There is no basis for wisps as being nature-y or druidic in any GW lore I’ve seen. Ravens are harbingers of death and the light blue coloration I see (outside of Guardian abilities) used for ghosts and Necro spirit powers.

So from what I’ve seen, the staff works very well for Necromancers, but Druid players can definitely get into it by interpreting the visuals another way. To me, the goal with a Legendary that many professions can use is to make a visual that different people can interpret in different ways to match their profession. I think they’ve done that very well with the 3 shown so far, and I cannot wait to see more.

PlatinumMember.5274:

Lily.1935:

Lewis Burnell.2493:

Lily.1935:

Gaile Gray.6029:

I love LOVE that staff. It’s beautiful and has a wonderful name: Nevermore. Excited about that.

Silverkey.2078:

I see it more as a ranger (druid) weapon, with a branch and a crow, this screams “nature magic” to me…

Agree. And I will try to get it for my new Druid.

A dead enchanted branch with spectral lights floating around it and a prominent symbol of death hanging around it? Sure… Nature magic.. Not ritualist or necromancery at all. RIIIIIIIGGGHHHT……

I’m totally getting this for my necro.

It’s a branch, with wisps, actually. And yes, it has a crow on it but all the accompanying animations are bright and vibrant. The wisps blue, the bird animation bright blue. It’s not necromancy in anyway, unless you want to shoe-horn in the thought that it is. If the orbs were dark, or green and the branch black, I’d see it. As it stands, definitely for Druid.

snip

You don’t need to go that far.

The fact is that Raven is death. One of grenth’s theme is ICE.

Death tree branch + bird of death + with Ice being a symbol of death in Guild wars 2 lore.

The truth is you are probably not going to convince him, since his opinion is set in stone.

Probably not. Though I think the staff works for both druid and Necro. Also Ritualist. Get on that arena net. Make my ritualist elite specialization for necro… <.<

Ravens and crows are also avian geniuses. Maybe we should start a debate on how Norns, Charr, Humans, Sylvari, and REAL GENIUSES regard ravens.

I’ll start.

Norn – A sacred bird who watches over us during binges
Charr – Too small to eat unless we are very hungry
Human – An omen of death
Sylvari – Fascinating and highly intelligent… And they fly!
Asura – Sylvari make much more entertaining subjects

Am I the only one who finds this staff super awful ? xD

Given the name of the staff is Nevermore, I’m guessing the birds are Ravens, not crows.

Props to Anet for the EAP references

ImdA.4701:

Am I the only one who finds this staff super awful ? xD

I wouldn’t say it’s a minority of one, but it’s definitely a minority .

ImdA.4701:

Am I the only one who finds this staff super awful ? xD

You are hardly the only one who hates something that other people like.

If you spent a few secs reading the thread you will find a couple of people who share your very ununique opinion.

That staff and the raven mini are all I need to complete the appearance of my Raven necromancer norn.

MithranArkanere.8957:

That staff and the raven mini are all I need to complete the appearance of my Raven necromancer norn.

Ooohh what else do you have making up the appearance?

The fact that it is called Nevermore makes me want it.

PlatinumMember.5274:

ImdA.4701:

Am I the only one who finds this staff super awful ? xD

You are hardly the only one who hates something that other people like.

If you spent a few secs reading the thread you will find a couple of people who share your very ununique opinion.

I don’t really care, the point of my post wasnt to say that my opinion “could” be unique, but was to share my opinion about this staff. I could’ve said “I find this staff very awful” if you want to.
(sorry for approximate english and stuff but I’m tired)

I want this, the Bifrost I have doesn’t seem very “necro-y”

I think the staff is pretty ugly, I much prefer Bifrost or my Scythe skin.

A White Marbor Staff that shoots rainbows ? yea that screams Necro. nah Bifrost is as far away from necro and the Dark it can be…

Ravezaar.4951:

A White Marbor Staff that shoots rainbows ? yea that screams Necro. nah Bifrost is as far away from necro and the Dark it can be…

But who said necros have to be “dark” ?
Im playing necro as main not because I like the fact that necros are “dark” or something but because I like the gameplay. My char looks like a mesmer using Bifrost and I prefer it this way.
So, It’s not because you’re playing necro that you have to look like a necro.

ImdA.4701:

Ravezaar.4951:

A White Marbor Staff that shoots rainbows ? yea that screams Necro. nah Bifrost is as far away from necro and the Dark it can be…

But who said necros have to be “dark” ?
Im playing necro as main not because I like the fact that necros are “dark” or something but because I like the gameplay. My char looks like a mesmer using Bifrost and I prefer it this way.
So, It’s not because you’re playing necro that you have to look like a necro.

Ofc they dont have to, ingeneral Lore they are tho since there magic revolves around Death but hey everyone can do there own thing. imo tho Bifrost suits Mesmer and Eles more in case of appearance… just my view on it.

Quoth the raven…

Rashagar.8349:

MithranArkanere.8957:

That staff and the raven mini are all I need to complete the appearance of my Raven necromancer norn.

Ooohh what else do you have making up the appearance?

I’ll tell you when it’s done.

MithranArkanere.8957:

Rashagar.8349:

MithranArkanere.8957:

That staff and the raven mini are all I need to complete the appearance of my Raven necromancer norn.

Ooohh what else do you have making up the appearance?

I’ll tell you when it’s done.

Avian shoulders!

This is the only legendary I want. The others were kinda blah and did not suit the theme I had for any of my characters. This one will go nicely with my new human reaper.

Thanks Anet, and the fact that EAP is one of my favorite poets don’t hurt either!

I thought the footfalls would be more impressing, they are hardly noticable :/

I’ll be curious to see it on Necro, but overall it looks pretty cool. I’ll probably pick it up because its better than whatever I have now.

Edit: just showed it on Necro, I’m sold.

Bhawb.7408:

I’ll be curious to see it on Necro, but overall it looks pretty cool. I’ll probably pick it up because its better than whatever I have now.

Edit: just showed it on Necro, I’m sold.

Yeah it actually looked really good on Necro, love the aura you get as well, it looks very spirit-like

Request: Could you please have the legendary staff effects glow green instead of blue when wielded by a necro profession please!!!! We still don’t have anything “dark” themed for necro.

Blue is fine, what with chill, and this is perfectly dark, it has an omen of death sitting on it.

I dont like the spirit theme that much. The raven and general runes on the staff are great, however all these ghostbird animations.. i dont think they fit very good for a necromancer, at least in my book. It might look awesome on norn necros, as it fits thematicly like perfect, but meh. From pure looks its more necroish then the Bifröst, but i don’t think i will like it much.

Now if we only could change the color of the animations to that nice green of our lifeblasts.. hmmm.

ImdA.4701:

Am I the only one who finds this staff super awful ? xD

Probably not.

I’m a bit on the fence personally. On one hand I quite like it, but there are a few things that I would have done differently.

First of all the staff is a bit too bulky.
They shouldn’t have added the “double helix”-esque base of the staff. The top of the staff with the bird and all the branches already provides a ton of detail. The base of the staff should’ve been more simplistic.
Now it’s losing some identity as a staff and looks slightly more like a side-of-the-road-branch.

Second all the blue stuff thrown on it. One part of me likes it, the other thinks it’s ruining the eerie feeling of the staff.
It’s a trend with legendaries apparently to make them look cute. IMO the blue wings and staff projectile animations, though nicely done, take away from the sinister style that the sheeted staff has.

In the end i’ll probably still get it. I love the raven style, I love the name; and it’s truly unique. Plus it’s miles and leaps better than Bifrost.

Lily.1935:

Its not crows. Its ravens.

If we’re being real technical. A raven is massive (as in like 1 foot / 30 cm tall); the bird in the staff is a crow at best.
That said, that’s just being nitpicky; as the staff clearly has the raven vibe with everything else.

TheLastNobody.8319:

[…]

Avian shoulders!

I’m afraid those are way beyond any reasonable price range.

There are new bat shoulders coming for halloween that have bats floating around you

Bats + ravens + staff = my new necro!