Guild Wars 2

i have no frigging idea what we’ll get(based on image) what u guys think?
#hypeisreal

Ritualist seems out of the question right now – lack of blue themed spirits and some omnious aura does not imply ritualist… Though I was wrong about the Guardian, so hey-ho

it looks like a green aura deforming or somthing like that,what have they done with ds? :O

We can think that we’ll obtain a very good Gs skin XD

In the image we can’t see a particular effect like the wings of the guardian, but we don’t see the face of the asura but the armor isn’t covered with the common DS effect.
We can hardly do some supposition but… will they transform us into some kind of Phantoms?
The image don’t “reveal” anything more.

His outfit is just a generic necro themed outfit. Those are the drybone shoulders and that hood is probably just a more generic version of grenths hood. If anything the things to look out for in these concept arts is the weapon, the extra effects and any unique looking skins for the elite spec reward track. The rest will just be standard gear already in game (guard specs armour).

GoogleBrandon.5073:

Ritualist seems out of the question right now – lack of blue themed spirits and some omnious aura does not imply ritualist… Though I was wrong about the Guardian, so hey-ho

They’re keeping all classes with their base-class color on purpose. It keeps them categorized.

But idk…
http://wiki.guildwars.com/images/thumb/6/62/Aggressive_binding_spirit.jpg/250px-Aggressive_binding_spirit.jpg
vs
http://i.imgur.com/D8K7psU.jpg

I could see that thing behind there being a spirit outline.

ronpierce.2760:

GoogleBrandon.5073:

Ritualist seems out of the question right now – lack of blue themed spirits and some omnious aura does not imply ritualist… Though I was wrong about the Guardian, so hey-ho

They’re keeping all classes with their base-class color on purpose. It keeps them categorized.

But idk…
http://wiki.guildwars.com/images/thumb/6/62/Aggressive_binding_spirit.jpg/250px-Aggressive_binding_spirit.jpg
vs
http://i.imgur.com/D8K7psU.jpg

I could see that thing behind there being a spirit outline.

I do not see it, but I’ll be fair…

If another AI spec makes it into specializations, I am going to uninstal the game and fill my free time with other needless aspects… Sorry to say, but since these three years, AI has literally held back the game multiple times, and with no change in sight to improve it… you can guess the rest

Death Knight still my guess. Martial with a sword, and takes a direction instead of just another way to say necro.

Oh yea and everyone who said we cant have a two-word class (look up the reasoning lol) “Dragon Hunter”… yea thats one strike.

Mine just keeps getting better

agree with u brandon,if its another unpolished AI bullcrap,im quitting my necro for good..

tho we can assume that the green aura\ball thingy is part of our new and improved* class mechanic

ANet is fully aware from my repeated reports on the topic about how bad Necromancers are in PvE. I am fully confident that they are attempting to ameliorate that issue with this elite specialization. That’s why they chose a heavy AOE damage weapon (it will be melee so don’t worry about that).

GoogleBrandon.5073:

If another AI spec makes it into specializations, I am going to uninstal the game and fill my free time with other needless aspects… Sorry to say, but since these three years, AI has literally held back the game multiple times, and with no change in sight to improve it… you can guess the rest

Well, if we get Spirits, there still won’t be another AI spec. They don’t perform any actions, and thus have no AI.

Drarnor Kunoram.5180:

GoogleBrandon.5073:

If another AI spec makes it into specializations, I am going to uninstal the game and fill my free time with other needless aspects… Sorry to say, but since these three years, AI has literally held back the game multiple times, and with no change in sight to improve it… you can guess the rest

Well, if we get Spirits, there still won’t be another AI spec. They don’t perform any actions, and thus have no AI.

Banners are sick AI, haven’t you heard?

I know ANet knows about our issues, the problem is do they agree with our fixes for them, and do they have people really invested in the profession who are going to have imaginative and insightful ways to implement those solutions.

I’ve never really doubted whether ANet knew about the problems, but seeing the way they change us has often left a feeling of disconnect between what we need and what they seem to think we need. Ex: Dhuumfire was a direct fix to one of our issues at the time, but done in a particularly unimaginative and bad way, and then immediately after they demonstrated that they didn’t understand the issue.

Well said Bhawb! <3

Drarnor Kunoram.5180:

GoogleBrandon.5073:

If another AI spec makes it into specializations, I am going to uninstal the game and fill my free time with other needless aspects… Sorry to say, but since these three years, AI has literally held back the game multiple times, and with no change in sight to improve it… you can guess the rest

Well, if we get Spirits, there still won’t be another AI spec. They don’t perform any actions, and thus have no AI.

Not entirely true, there were some spirits within GW1 who were capable of sending out spirit bullets to foes…

You could compare them to sentries or turrets rather… Whatever the case, Anet is horrible with anything that relies on AI to function, so if not a passive spirit such as Rangers, then I am outta here… not because it is Necro – it could’ve been Warrior or Thief for my sake, but I am just done with the brilliant ideas that were terrible in the end (resulting in nerfs that makes them obsolete in the end)

Bhawb.7408:

I know ANet knows about our issues, the problem is do they agree with our fixes for them, and do they have people really invested in the profession who are going to have imaginative and insightful ways to implement those solutions.

I’ve never really doubted whether ANet knew about the problems, but seeing the way they change us has often left a feeling of disconnect between what we need and what they seem to think we need. Ex: Dhuumfire was a direct fix to one of our issues at the time, but done in a particularly unimaginative and bad way, and then immediately after they demonstrated that they didn’t understand the issue.

All I can say is that I hope that I’ve communicated the issues and proposed solutions effectively enough that they’ll be able to do something meaningful with it. I may not be a profession-specific specialist, but given that I have their ear I’ll be kittened if I don’t take advantage of it for the betterment of classes at large in all formats.

I think the biggest issue they face with Necromancer is the fear of it becoming hyper overpowered because of how Death Shroud functions in its current incarnation should they make all of the changes suggested. There’s also of course the “it mostly works in PvP now, so any buffs will send it over the top” angle that they’re contending with. The best we can do in either case is to simply hope and see what they get us.

Rising Dusk.2408:

Bhawb.7408:

I know ANet knows about our issues, the problem is do they agree with our fixes for them, and do they have people really invested in the profession who are going to have imaginative and insightful ways to implement those solutions.

I’ve never really doubted whether ANet knew about the problems, but seeing the way they change us has often left a feeling of disconnect between what we need and what they seem to think we need. Ex: Dhuumfire was a direct fix to one of our issues at the time, but done in a particularly unimaginative and bad way, and then immediately after they demonstrated that they didn’t understand the issue.

All I can say is that I hope that I’ve communicated the issues and proposed solutions effectively enough that they’ll be able to do something meaningful with it. I may not be a profession-specific specialist, but given that I have their ear I’ll be kittened if I don’t take advantage of it for the betterment of classes at large in all formats.

I think the biggest issue they face with Necromancer is the fear of it becoming hyper overpowered because of how Death Shroud functions in its current incarnation should they make all of the changes suggested. There’s also of course the “it mostly works in PvP now, so any buffs will send it over the top” angle that they’re contending with. The best we can do in either case is to simply hope and see what they get us.

If their biggest fear is death shroud, get rid of it and change the rest of the useless skills, starting with our broken minion AI. I get it, even even tweaking DS will result it breaking class balance. But that doesn’t save them from other problems we sent their way: Uncontrollable minions, no protection, useful stun breaks, party support, reflects or anything of that sort. If the “second health bar” is the reason we have these other problems strip it and replace it with something we can use.

I agree with you, but replacing Death Shroud is a huge change and not something they could just do. Furthermore, elite specializations are their opportunity to ‘change’ profession mechanics at a larger scale, so they’re going to opt to do it in elite specializations and leave the core functionality alone. They’d much rather find a way to make Necromancer awesome and balanced within the context of the current incarnation of Death Shroud rather than remaking it entirely, and that’s the route they’re trying to make work.

Bhawb.7408:

I know ANet knows about our issues, the problem is do they agree with our fixes for them, and do they have people really invested in the profession who are going to have imaginative and insightful ways to implement those solutions.

I’ve never really doubted whether ANet knew about the problems, but seeing the way they change us has often left a feeling of disconnect between what we need and what they seem to think we need. Ex: Dhuumfire was a direct fix to one of our issues at the time, but done in a particularly unimaginative and bad way, and then immediately after they demonstrated that they didn’t understand the issue.

Sorry, but with the constant “Second Lifebar, Second Lifebar!” yelling from Anet, i seriously doubt they have a clue what problems we have with the state of the Necro. Otherwise they’d have stopped using that kittenpoor and WRONG excuse 2 years ago.

hope they just made DS like the engi kits, 5 extra skills up all time, enemys must take our LF first before reducing our hp like shield works in heroes of the storm. and new DS skills will help too.
oh please anet dont kill us.

GoogleBrandon.5073:

ronpierce.2760:

GoogleBrandon.5073:

Ritualist seems out of the question right now – lack of blue themed spirits and some omnious aura does not imply ritualist… Though I was wrong about the Guardian, so hey-ho

They’re keeping all classes with their base-class color on purpose. It keeps them categorized.

But idk…
http://wiki.guildwars.com/images/thumb/6/62/Aggressive_binding_spirit.jpg/250px-Aggressive_binding_spirit.jpg
vs
http://i.imgur.com/D8K7psU.jpg

I could see that thing behind there being a spirit outline.

I do not see it, but I’ll be fair…

If another AI spec makes it into specializations, I am going to uninstal the game and fill my free time with other needless aspects… Sorry to say, but since these three years, AI has literally held back the game multiple times, and with no change in sight to improve it… you can guess the rest

The only AI that is bad is melee minion pathing. If it’s a spirits build similar to ritualist, then it would be all ranged AI. Ranged AI works just fine.

Since engineers are getting drones, I’d hope Anet would use this chance to fix melee minion AI pathing so the hyped up specialization works properly.

In all honesty I expect us to get “orders” like guild wars 1 as a form of support. If they do provide us with shouts, I hope they have the shouts do creative things and not boring buffs.

Necro will became Super Sayian and it will be nerfed to small little dude with a tail cuted off. First thought.

nolop.8095:

New Necro spec: The Squire

Greatsword skills
1 – clean sword
2 – sharpen sword
3 – polish sword
4 – adjust handle and guard
5 – hand it to your warrior overlord

New “battle” shout abilities like

“More wine Sir ?” to provide refreshments to your liege

“I am here to serve.” gives all your boons to a non necromancer target

10/10

Would add tho:
“And you have my face”: Head model becomes enlarged while in DeathShroud for better facetanking defense

Rising Dusk.2408:

All I can say is that I hope that I’ve communicated the issues and proposed solutions effectively enough that they’ll be able to do something meaningful with it. I may not be a profession-specific specialist, but given that I have their ear I’ll be kittened if I don’t take advantage of it for the betterment of classes at large in all formats.

I appreciate the effort. I think it also means a little more coming from someone well experienced with PvP as a whole, since there’s less inherent bias.

I really do think they can salvage Death Shroud. Tweak a few values (Total size of pool, rate of recharge), add a couple traits in currently under-valued trait lines that add or simulate conspicuously missing elements like periodic invulnerability (extra dodges, blocking, etc), and the Necromancer could quickly have defenses equivalent to other professions.

Edit: As for new Necromancer speculations… I’m prone to say something involving living/reanimated weaponry. The eyes on that sword are unnerving.

I honestly think the new mechanic still would have to do with Life force, but you get options to use it.

F1: Sacrifice Life force to heal you and allies
F2: Sacrifice Life force to deal a massive attack (Something like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlsDiKFfGT8 at 00:38)
F3: Sacrifice Life force to teleport to a location (The more life force the further you go) and steal health on that location
F4: ?

Edit: The reason why I think this is because I think this green thing behind him is a massive pool of life force being sacrificed to power or health or whatever.

I think it’ll resemble Trahearne, who is said to be a necromancer with a greatsword. Most of his attacks are control heavy power attacks. Maybe with cantrips perhaps?

heartless.6803:

I think it’ll resemble Trahearne, who is said to be a necromancer with a greatsword. Most of his attacks are control heavy power attacks. Maybe with cantrips perhaps?

Problem is that Trahearne didn’t use the GS as a Necro. He changed professions to guardian – all his skills except his normal attack are Guardian skills. Marjory is the one that got a GS and used it, while at the same time staying a Necro.

I still interpret that bit of story as “Trahearne picked up a weapon bundle, realized it was incredibly OP, and never let go” since there’s a chapter (Sylvari only, I think?) where you can also use Saladbowlg.

Reaver/Reaper calling it!

Softspoken.2410:

I still interpret that bit of story as “Trahearne picked up a weapon bundle, realized it was incredibly OP, and never let go” since there’s a chapter (Sylvari only, I think?) where you can also use Saladbowlg.

My main is a Necro Sylvari… And I cannot remember that part. Then again, i played that part of the story in the headstart. The thing is it isn’t just the weapon that is guardian skills though, but he also uses a guardian utility now and then. And I’m pretty sure he used to summon minions at least in one instance, but after he got that sword never again… While Marjory still has summoning AND a unique, necromancer-styled AA-chain.

According to the wiki, you wield Caladbolg for the Sylvari story quest immediately after choosing an Order (Priory, Vigil, Whispers, etc). It was all of one mission, and I don’t remember it too well myself.

But I don’t remember what Guardian utilities Trahearne used. It’s pretty true though, that post-Saladbowlg he doesn’t fight much like a Necromancer, except for regularly send his minions to their death for minimal benefit.

Seriously if its AI dependent, or if its immobile spirits that only work in a certain area after you throw them down, I will freakin fold up my tent and go permanently to a diff class.

I’m hoping for Orders, either as Shouts or perhaps Auras (that can be shared with allies). For names, I like the sound of Harbinger (someone who acts as a forewarning, an omen for the future).

For utilities, I would be stoked for anything that is instant cast, or grants stability (shouts/cantrips). As far as greatsword goes, the autoattack is probably going to be what marjory has which is damage, damage, and chill. This needs to be good autoattack dps. The second skill needs to be big dps, the third movement of some kind, the 4th and 5th must be a cc and group buff or enemy debuff. This would be in line with most other weapons.

Softspoken.2410:

According to the wiki, you wield Caladbolg for the Sylvari story quest immediately after choosing an Order (Priory, Vigil, Whispers, etc). It was all of one mission, and I don’t remember it too well myself.

But I don’t remember what Guardian utilities Trahearne used. It’s pretty true though, that post-Saladbowlg he doesn’t fight much like a Necromancer, except for regularly send his minions to their death for minimal benefit.

Pretty sure Caladbolg had unique weapon skills that echod Mesmer, Ele and Guardian weapon and utility skills. I remember attacking from range with an electrical attack and having a KB like Mesmer GS. Doppelganger Trahearne used the same skills when fighting him in the Kessex Hills LS1 tower.

So basically Trahearne is a multiclassed Ele/Guardian/Mesmer with Flesh Golems sometimes after getting the sword.

Knox.8462:

I’m hoping for Orders, either as Shouts or perhaps Auras (that can be shared with allies). For names, I like the sound of Harbinger (someone who acts as a forewarning, an omen for the future).

I’m hoping for the same. We don’t need spirits etc. because we have minions already. A form of irremovable direct team support/buffs would be nice.

sausageninja.6592:

it looks like a green aura deforming or something like that, what have they done with ds? :O

Am I the only one seeing an insect like spirit in the green aura? A multi-wings mantis? Are we getting 4-5 spirits to summon using our lifeforce? Short duration summons giving out lots of boons and debuffs?

A better idea would be to use life force for a possession ritual. Eg mantis: while under possession of this spirit your next attack stuns every X sec; you gain stability every Y sec. Many DS traits can be made relevant by allowing them to proc when you enter, exit, or you are under the effects of, a possession. If so, they can add cooler powers or utilities since we can get stability from DS traits (aegis pls?). Obviously while possessed we keep our weapons, utilities and heal skills.

If I had to bet, I would do it on hexes / hexing spirits as a new use of life force.

Rising Dusk.2408:

I think the biggest issue they face with Necromancer is the fear of it becoming hyper overpowered because of how Death Shroud functions in its current incarnation should they make all of the changes suggested. There’s also of course the “it mostly works in PvP now, so any buffs will send it over the top” angle that they’re contending with. The best we can do in either case is to simply hope and see what they get us.

I get that, making every change at once is dangerous (Dhuumfire), and they don’t want to bring us back to beta levels of power. But they’ve been hiding behind that excuse for 2.5 years, and still refuse to make some of the basic changes we need, even one at a time, despite the fact that this accidentally making people OP has apparently never bothered them when it happens to warrior or elementalist.

That isn’t to say that they have never made changes, but they seem far more cautious of touching us, even in cases where we are just objectively awful and have been since launch. I don’t understand how they can honestly believe that leaving a broken profession in the game is better than fixing it and dealing with more imbalance (because let’s not pretend like the meta of only zerker and celestial builds is in any way balanced).

Anyway, my hopes/predictions:

New Weapon: Greatsword (Not really a prediction, I know, but still) My hope is Melee cleaving DPS, with most/all conditions being CC based (like how GS Marjory’s AA chain ends with a chill) include a charge, a finisher or two and maybe an immobilize and I’m happy.

New Skill type: Shouts. Yes, I’m one of those people hoping for a Banshee, but not just wails, I want to be the megalomanical dark magic user leading an army to take over the world, and it might be the best chance of getting something like “You Are All Weaklings!” and other nastier sounding shouts from GW1 to play with. If I was instead Order -ing people around, perhaps to inflict Pain, that would also be nice.

• Alternate: Alchemy. Working with strange toxins and substances from the Jungle for unexpected effects seems like a very Necromancer-y thing to do. Also, as someone who mains Engineer, it’s the one uniquely behaving skill type that I could see us loosing our uniqueness to without Engineers screaming bloody murder about it.

New Mechanic: I’m calling it Soul Syphoning. This is where we get the Marjory influence. Instead of entering DS for DS skills, the Necromancer epic spec can instead imbue our weapons with life force to increase it’s damage and gain additional effects. This would be an option they will have in addition to DS (like how Chronomancer’s CS is an additional shatter skill that doesn’t replace any of the others) the drawback being that any damage they take using this new life force skill won’t go to our Life force (i.e. act as a second health bar) the new effects might be weapon-based, up to and including and alternate skill set for every weapon combo, or something static, with at least one epic spec trait improving/adding effects to this ability. Again, it would NOT be a replacement to Death Shroud, and I base this entirely on the fact that the new Dragonhunter Virtues are suppose to be 100% compatible with all the current virtue traits, and the only way Unholy Sanctuary would still be a GM trait if this would replace DS is if the alternative also made you immune to non US healing.

Reaper
Fiend
Phantom
Ghoul
Masochist
Voyeur
Gravelord
Lich
Apostle

if it s going to be shouts, maybe doomcaller or doom bringer

I really want new utilities that can bring some good support and hopefully an instant cast heal and decent elite, which I think all of the new skills will do for each class. I really hope GS has some sort of natural combo, especially one that has some sort of situation it excels in, like final thrust or fire grab or something that can bring some pain that isn’t spamming 1. I hope the new death shroud skills give us some legit defense or mobility.

I really want to see the new technology they are using all over this spec. And taunt. And slow.

Ok, maybe just most of these things.

GoogleBrandon.5073:

Ritualist seems out of the question right now – lack of blue themed spirits and some omnious aura does not imply ritualist… Though I was wrong about the Guardian, so hey-ho

I don’t think ritualist is out of the question at all. I do think its less likely now, which means the clues they were dropping with Marjory don’t mean anything.

I’ll stick with my original prediction for now. Duskblade. Blood magic heavy specialization that steals life and sacrifices health.

My bet is that(from a conversation I just had with Jory in my replay of Season 2) that Necromancers will get stances. She said that Rox knew “all sorts of cool stances”, which could be interesting.

sausageninja.6592:

i have no frigging idea what we’ll get(based on image) what u guys think?
#hypeisreal

Iam scared, iam scared!!!!!

Bhawb.7408:

Rising Dusk.2408:

I think the biggest issue they face with Necromancer is the fear of it becoming hyper overpowered because of how Death Shroud functions in its current incarnation should they make all of the changes suggested. There’s also of course the “it mostly works in PvP now, so any buffs will send it over the top” angle that they’re contending with. The best we can do in either case is to simply hope and see what they get us.

I get that, making every change at once is dangerous (Dhuumfire), and they don’t want to bring us back to beta levels of power. But they’ve been hiding behind that excuse for 2.5 years, and still refuse to make some of the basic changes we need, even one at a time, despite the fact that this accidentally making people OP has apparently never bothered them when it happens to warrior or elementalist.

That isn’t to say that they have never made changes, but they seem far more cautious of touching us, even in cases where we are just objectively awful and have been since launch. I don’t understand how they can honestly believe that leaving a broken profession in the game is better than fixing it and dealing with more imbalance (because let’s not pretend like the meta of only zerker and celestial builds is in any way balanced).

In all honesty Necromancers got their 2 week of OPness. It was when spectral skills were giving life force while in DS and without ICD. This was the best 2 week ever…

PistolWhip.2697:

Reaper
Fiend
Phantom
Ghoul
Masochist
Voyeur
Gravelord
Lich
Apostle

Wraith and Banshee are good ones to add to the list.

Dadnir.5038:

Bhawb.7408:

Rising Dusk.2408:

I think the biggest issue they face with Necromancer is the fear of it becoming hyper overpowered because of how Death Shroud functions in its current incarnation should they make all of the changes suggested. There’s also of course the “it mostly works in PvP now, so any buffs will send it over the top” angle that they’re contending with. The best we can do in either case is to simply hope and see what they get us.

I get that, making every change at once is dangerous (Dhuumfire), and they don’t want to bring us back to beta levels of power. But they’ve been hiding behind that excuse for 2.5 years, and still refuse to make some of the basic changes we need, even one at a time, despite the fact that this accidentally making people OP has apparently never bothered them when it happens to warrior or elementalist.

That isn’t to say that they have never made changes, but they seem far more cautious of touching us, even in cases where we are just objectively awful and have been since launch. I don’t understand how they can honestly believe that leaving a broken profession in the game is better than fixing it and dealing with more imbalance (because let’s not pretend like the meta of only zerker and celestial builds is in any way balanced).

In all honesty Necromancers got their 2 week of OPness. It was when spectral skills were giving life force while in DS and without ICD. This was the best 2 week ever…

Just one problem: that time never happened. Spectral skills got their ICD’s when they were changed to continue functioning in death shroud.

Zackie.8923:

if it s going to be shouts, maybe doomcaller or doom bringer

Those make sense.

Just give necro some group utility to be at least decent in group PvE. This is my only wish and the only thing that will save my necromancer from being deleted.

wight

/15char