Guild Wars 2

From the preview videos and streams, it doesn’t look like you can switch pet stances in beastmode. So if I want to switch to a different stance, I’d have to:

1. Disable beastmode (thus triggering the 10 second cooldown)
2. Switch pets
3. Enter beastmode once available.

While it seems like a balance mechanic (during those 10 seconds outside of beastmode, the pet could die if focused on), does it seem cumbersome to switch stances? I know it’s too early to tell, but I can’t help but get the feeling that it’ll prove an irritation in the middle of combat.

That seems balanced. Otherwise, Beastmode would end up playing like an Elementalist with attunement swapping – which will eventually lead to not bothering with the pet mechanic at all.

This makes it so before one enters Beastmode, the pre-selected stance and pet that is merged with is meaningful and tactful, while ensuring the pet still plays a role and has an opportunity to be an active side companion.

We’ll see though. As far as I’m concerned, this is a a great move, as the restriction forces players to think twice about things rather than letting us have our cake and eat it.

Wondrouswall.7169:

That seems balanced. Otherwise, Beastmode would end up playing like an Elementalist with attunement swapping – which will eventually lead to not bothering with the pet mechanic at all.

This makes it so before one enters Beastmode, the pre-selected stance and pet that is merged with meaningful and tactful, while ensuring the pet still plays a role and has an opportunity to be an active side companion.

We’ll see though. As far as I’m concerned, this is a a great move, as the restriction forces players to think twice about things rather than letting us have our cake and eat it.

Although i agree with you this seems more interesting, if this kind of constrains will be applied only for the ranger with no reward for the clunky mechanic i’d rather have the simple way.

I mean after all the players which enjoy competitive will be in disavantage if the clunky mechanic make the swapping unbearable.

I’m quite sure its meant to be cumbersome. Some of the pet abilities seem rather powerful, and they’re completely additional to utilities and weapon skills, its basically 3 free additional attacks available at all times (as well as free buffs depending on which pet you merge with, it seems). Being able to swap between 2 different sets of skills with zero cooldown or delay of any kind would be too much, that’d essentially be 6 extra skills free to use.

Plus, as much as its a requested thing for a 100% petless ranger, I don’t think they actually want to go that route. By forcing you to exit merge to swap pets, they’re at least keeping the pet involved, even if its only for brief spells between merges.

I dunno, Tempest has access to a possible 44 skills and engineers access to 35 in a single build so being able to swap pets while in beastmode doesn’t seem too outlandish.

I don’t think its too bad. Most rangers are super used to swapping pets at certain times.

That said, the risk/reward better be there or soulbeast is gonna flop.

Yes it seems clunky. Either Soul Beasts should only be allowed 1 pet or you should be able to swap from BM.

If it’s a balance thing, which it might be, then they should balance it a different way. Making something clunky and make players fight against their UI as a balancing tool is not good game design.

Cufufalating.8479:

Yes it seems clunky. Either Soul Beasts should only be allowed 1 pet or you should be able to swap from BM.

If it’s a balance thing, which it might be, then they should balance it a different way. Making something clunky and make players fight against their UI as a balancing tool is not good game design.

And we’ve already a specialisation that fights with its UI. We need something new … something that … works fine

All this salt and worry for something that’s not even out or explained in depth yet. Wall once again and fluff are some of the only ones making any kind of sense here.

Watch it’s going to be dope, I think anets been listening I mean hell 3 of the elite specs are from community ideas Weaver, dead eye, and soul beast. I came here to get hyped and see salt. And it looks like dps condi ranger and power ranger might have some real use in pvp now, and with the stances and probably pet buff we might see power used for dps now.

Like yo the minor pet traits might make this spec nuts, that’s what I can’t wait to see. For example what the 10 percent damage increase loud wistle and pet movement speed get applied to you when you merge? Or if nature’s bounty 1% damage increase gets applied to you when you merge for 2% for every boon witch protection, swiftness Regen and might all ranger kittens out witch would mean 8% increase of damage throughout the fight.

What if when you mual with gs, gain moc on pet merge and explode with that worldly impact aoe stomp with what I saw was 1900 damage (i dunno if peachy was power main) for some insane spike (lol burst stompet or stacked team)

I wonder what those few upper tier pvp rangers think I bet their wheels are turning, mine sure is