Guild Wars 2

With rumors of transformation on Druid specialization, I could see Physicals skill type working for this, since Rampage is already a physical now.

But what kind of Animal Spirit would handle Healing as a Heal skill, and what about Elite?

Would need 5-6 forms would it not?

What rumors? 15 charrrrr

Knighthonor.4061:

But what kind of Animal Spirit would handle Healing as a Heal skill,

Nurse Shark

Probably referring to this data-mined thing that was posted on Reddit.

I hope they’re not transfomations.
Transformation = no pet = worthless pet traits
Transformation = no weapons = worthless weapon traits
Transformation = no utilities = worthless utility traits
etc

Knighthonor.4061:

But what kind of Animal Spirit would handle Healing as a Heal skill, and what about Elite?

Fern Hound or Moa

Probably stances

Not even gonna bother touching the druid if it ends up being a bunch of transformation nonsense.

Dauphin elite underwater transformation pls pls

Not likely transformation, to much of our class(weapon skills, traits, utilities tec..) is involved around the pet.
On reddit many suggested “animal kits” – I like the idea but I cant c that happening due to balance considirations(engis got 1 weapon penalty).

Stances is flavorless in terms of mechanic, its more thematic flaovr. Wht’s the diefference between survival (QZ) and stances in terms of mechanic?

Stances would be kind of boring. They’re like signets, but without a passive effect. But then again, they would be better than our spirits and shouts. But then again, maybe our stances will be like our shouts…

I think it might be related to the F1-F4 skills.

Lazze.9870:

Not even gonna bother touching the druid if it ends up being a bunch of transformation nonsense.

Agreed 1000000000000000000000000000000%

That would be the worst decision ever for the Ranger/Druid.

You become whatever pet you slot!

Snow leopard please!

Holland.9351:

I hope they’re not transfomations.
Transformation = no pet = worthless pet traits
Transformation = no weapons = worthless weapon traits
Transformation = no utilities = worthless utility traits
etc

Knighthonor.4061:

But what kind of Animal Spirit would handle Healing as a Heal skill, and what about Elite?

Fern Hound or Moa

I think if blizzard could make weapon traits work off of skills while in transformation in 2001, that anet has that ability today, assuming transformation is a thing.

Perhaps we get MINIONS!!!!!

TheFantasticGman.9451:

Lazze.9870:

Not even gonna bother touching the druid if it ends up being a bunch of transformation nonsense.

Agreed 1000000000000000000000000000000%

That would be the worst decision ever for the Ranger/Druid.

I think it’d be the greatest Druid they could possibly implement into GW2 (I’d also be ok with taking in the “aspect” of the animal/plant/nature entity and having a big glowy spirity version around my ranger and it working like a kit).

The great thing about elite specializations is that you don’t need to use it at all, or you could use just the traits and weapon, or just the traits and utility skills, or even just the traits of you REALLY wanted to.

Not to mention more elite specs are coming out and I’d be amazed if there isn’t another naturey spellcsstery ranger elite spec in the future, like Warden.

Chokolata.1870:

Perhaps we get MINIONS!!!!!

If Druids go minions or transformations I don’t think I could possibly be any happier with the expansion.

ITs pretty unlikely Druids will go with transformations/kits/anything of the sort. In the Chronomancer blog post Druid was specifically mentioned as a spec that is tied heavily to its new weapon.

Tied heavily to a caster weapon?

Confirmed: Vampiric Touch Ranger inbound

Substance E.4852:

Tied heavily to a caster weapon?

Confirmed: Vampiric Touch Ranger inbound

New trait: Sixteen Expertise – Your touch skills recharge 100% faster.

UNLIMITED LIFE STEAL SPAM.

No, just no.

If anything, the ranger needs to become LESS associated with animals as they approach the realm of becoming MORE magic based.

If I have to deal with BS transformations that will never be worthwhile in any sort of meaningful setting other than to the people who want to RP like it’s WoW instead of just playing WoW, I’m driving cross country to have a word with ANet and I will personally oversee the firing of whoever came up with the dumbkitten idea to implement Druid, or who cares what it’s called, ANY Ranger change like this.

I’ve tried to remain unbiased and stay optimistic about HoT, even though every week that it isn’t a reveal week and ESPECIALLY every week that goes by without Druid or Release Date info, I get tested a little bit more, but this, this less-than-fecal-matter-worthy implementation of Druid is my line in the sand.

jcbroe.4329:

No, just no.

If anything, the ranger needs to become LESS associated with animals as they approach the realm of becoming MORE magic based.

If I have to deal with BS transformations that will never be worthwhile in any sort of meaningful setting other than to the people who want to RP like it’s WoW instead of just playing WoW, I’m driving cross country to have a word with ANet and I will personally oversee the firing of whoever came up with the dumbkitten idea to implement Druid, or who cares what it’s called, ANY Ranger change like this.

I’ve tried to remain unbiased and stay optimistic about HoT, even though every week that it isn’t a reveal week and ESPECIALLY every week that goes by without Druid or Release Date info, I get tested a little bit more, but this, this less-than-fecal-matter-worthy implementation of Druid is my line in the sand.

Quite strong feelings. Now imagine if we all had such a passion for important things, like poor people.

Soilder.3607:

jcbroe.4329:

No, just no.

If anything, the ranger needs to become LESS associated with animals as they approach the realm of becoming MORE magic based.

If I have to deal with BS transformations that will never be worthwhile in any sort of meaningful setting other than to the people who want to RP like it’s WoW instead of just playing WoW, I’m driving cross country to have a word with ANet and I will personally oversee the firing of whoever came up with the dumbkitten idea to implement Druid, or who cares what it’s called, ANY Ranger change like this.

I’ve tried to remain unbiased and stay optimistic about HoT, even though every week that it isn’t a reveal week and ESPECIALLY every week that goes by without Druid or Release Date info, I get tested a little bit more, but this, this less-than-fecal-matter-worthy implementation of Druid is my line in the sand.

Quite strong feelings. Now imagine if we all had such a passion for important things, like poor people.

Strong words to express resolved feelings.

And this is a videogame forum, not a political and social philosophies forum. I have feelings and opinions outside of the realm of videogames and not a single one of them would lack any of the same passion shown here. Seeing as how this isn’t the place to discuss those things though…. yeah lol.

jcbroe.4329:

Soilder.3607:

jcbroe.4329:

No, just no.

If anything, the ranger needs to become LESS associated with animals as they approach the realm of becoming MORE magic based.

If I have to deal with BS transformations that will never be worthwhile in any sort of meaningful setting other than to the people who want to RP like it’s WoW instead of just playing WoW, I’m driving cross country to have a word with ANet and I will personally oversee the firing of whoever came up with the dumbkitten idea to implement Druid, or who cares what it’s called, ANY Ranger change like this.

I’ve tried to remain unbiased and stay optimistic about HoT, even though every week that it isn’t a reveal week and ESPECIALLY every week that goes by without Druid or Release Date info, I get tested a little bit more, but this, this less-than-fecal-matter-worthy implementation of Druid is my line in the sand.

Quite strong feelings. Now imagine if we all had such a passion for important things, like poor people.

Strong words to express resolved feelings.

And this is a videogame forum, not a political and social philosophies forum. I have feelings and opinions outside of the realm of videogames and not a single one of them would lack any of the same passion shown here. Seeing as how this isn’t the place to discuss those things though…. yeah lol.

Good. Poor people it is then.

jcbroe.4329:

No, just no.

If anything, the ranger needs to become LESS associated with animals as they approach the realm of becoming MORE magic based.

If I have to deal with BS transformations that will never be worthwhile in any sort of meaningful setting other than to the people who want to RP like it’s WoW instead of just playing WoW, I’m driving cross country to have a word with ANet and I will personally oversee the firing of whoever came up with the dumbkitten idea to implement Druid, or who cares what it’s called, ANY Ranger change like this.

I’ve tried to remain unbiased and stay optimistic about HoT, even though every week that it isn’t a reveal week and ESPECIALLY every week that goes by without Druid or Release Date info, I get tested a little bit more, but this, this less-than-fecal-matter-worthy implementation of Druid is my line in the sand.

I don’t see why transformations couldn’t just work like kits that also changed your appearance. Then they actually would be brought as long as they’re useful as a skill as a whole (like any engi Kit).

Not to mention an EXTREMELY common theme of nature magic as a whole (what Druid would obviously be using) is shape shifting, things dealing with animals, and things dealing with plants. I mean elements are also a common trend but a lot of people seem to think that won’t happen due to it stepping on the toes of the elementalist.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we get transformations at all, the elite and heal could very easily be a magical plant theme (Oakheart elite, Aloe Seed heal) and animal based utilities that could bring a lot of variety and potentially support as a whole

I don’t care if my ranger turns into a fluffy bunny, just please make the skills useful, add some much needed support and for the love of all things holy give us some DEEEEPS!!!

Transformations are very unlikely given the fact that transformations are thematically tied to the Norn. I doubt ANet would entirely undermine an entire race in their game by allowing Asura, Charr, Sylvari and Humans to just ‘learn’ how to turn into an animal.

More functional interaction with animals/pets is something I’d love to see from a thematic standpoint, but transformations are a completely different ball game entirely. We already have skills like Hunter’s Call that summons birds to attack a target; I’d like to see more of that. Though, if we do see more of that kind of interaction it’d likely be communicating with ancient spirits as opposed to carrion birds or cats due to the lore ties that already exist in Tyrian ‘druids’.

Also, has there been any speculation on possible interactions with a particular god that more or less defines what nature is in this game? I’d love the druid to have ties to Melandru.

ObsiMoth.6342:

Transformations are very unlikely given the fact that transformations are thematically tied to the Norn. I doubt ANet would entirely undermine an entire race in their game by allowing Asura, Charr, Sylvari and Humans to just ‘learn’ how to turn into an animal.

More functional interaction with animals/pets is something I’d love to see from a thematic standpoint, but transformations are a completely different ball game entirely. We already have skills like Hunter’s Call that summons birds to attack a target; I’d like to see more of that. Though, if we do see more of that kind of interaction it’d likely be communicating with ancient spirits as opposed to carrion birds or cats due to the lore ties that already exist in Tyrian ‘druids’.

Also, has there been any speculation on possible interactions with a particular god that more or less defines what nature is in this game? I’d love the druid to have ties to Melandru.

You do realize every single one of those races is capable of transforming during multiple hearts, events, and items right?

The only thing that is purely Norn is being able to become a hybrid of the animal and Norn.

Durzlla.6295:

jcbroe.4329:

No, just no.

If anything, the ranger needs to become LESS associated with animals as they approach the realm of becoming MORE magic based.

If I have to deal with BS transformations that will never be worthwhile in any sort of meaningful setting other than to the people who want to RP like it’s WoW instead of just playing WoW, I’m driving cross country to have a word with ANet and I will personally oversee the firing of whoever came up with the dumbkitten idea to implement Druid, or who cares what it’s called, ANY Ranger change like this.

I’ve tried to remain unbiased and stay optimistic about HoT, even though every week that it isn’t a reveal week and ESPECIALLY every week that goes by without Druid or Release Date info, I get tested a little bit more, but this, this less-than-fecal-matter-worthy implementation of Druid is my line in the sand.

I don’t see why transformations couldn’t just work like kits that also changed your appearance. Then they actually would be brought as long as they’re useful as a skill as a whole (like any engi Kit).

Not to mention an EXTREMELY common theme of nature magic as a whole (what Druid would obviously be using) is shape shifting, things dealing with animals, and things dealing with plants. I mean elements are also a common trend but a lot of people seem to think that won’t happen due to it stepping on the toes of the elementalist.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we get transformations at all, the elite and heal could very easily be a magical plant theme (Oakheart elite, Aloe Seed heal) and animal based utilities that could bring a lot of variety and potentially support as a whole

The problem is that baseline ranger is already pretty much a “typical druid” anyhow. It has an animal companion, animal themed attacks, and the ability to “summon nature” through spirits.

Druid is already so close to existence that a few transformations might be “cool” for some people but unless we get a “mesmer transformation” will never help push into the areas of the game we lack in and be optimal in any sort of team comp.

I’ve also come up with many, many iterations of how “animal kits” would work, and not a single one plays nicely with the current pet and how the traits work with it, unless our entire mechanic remains unchanged (very, very, very poor implementation).

If ANet wanted to go with transformations, they need to entirely replace the mechanic and work like Revenant, where we “channel” the aspect of a pet/pet family, and even then, it would either be limiting or not play nice in some way with the current utilities.

Also as cited, it overlaps so much with Norn transformations that it almost comes off as lazy.

If anything, I’d picture ANet moving away from the “animal healer dude” archetype and push the class more towards “forest warden brown wizard.” Magic dealing with growth of plants and alteration of the environment (datamined placeholder images show Frozen Soil and other such named GW1 named skills as icon placeholders), ability to be an “animal master” and communicate and work with all animals and not just a singularly bonded animal, and the ability to create potions/elixirs and have natural resistances and magical spells to heal and relieve “ailments.”

The thing is, transformations would be a cop out and I will put all my money on them lacking the intuitive design, complexity, and effectiveness that the class needs to hold a candle up to the other classes.

I’m not going to be angry or worried or excited until after the reveal and im certainly not buying the expansion before it either.

It’s minions. Embrace the zoo.

Well, I think the transformation would be cool. But then again, I enjoyed my feral Druid in WoW. I pretty much stayed in cat form. If Guild Wars continues to suck the life out of my ranger (my main, and almost the only one I play) then I may have to re-up my Blizzard account.

jcbroe.4329:

If I have to deal with BS transformations that will never be worthwhile in any sort of meaningful setting other than to the people who want to RP like it’s WoW instead of just playing WoW, I’m driving cross country to have a word with ANet and I will personally oversee the firing of whoever came up with the dumbkitten idea to implement Druid, or who cares what it’s called, ANY Ranger change like this.

You seem pretty convinced that Ranger will be getting an actually good “wow, that really fills a role we needed!” specialization unlike the three we’ve already seen.

What precisely in the last three years has led you to believe that they will be putting extra special attention into the Druid?

The best we can hope for is for it to not be complete and total crap.

Substance E.4852:

Tied heavily to a caster weapon?

Confirmed: Vampiric Touch Ranger inbound

I would LOVE that. You brought back fond memories of some R/N hugs of death.

“Invoke the power of the legendary dwarf king Jalis Ironhammer Juvenile Brown Bear.”
Swap 6-0 skills based on the family of pet you have equipped.

Substance E.4852:

jcbroe.4329:

If I have to deal with BS transformations that will never be worthwhile in any sort of meaningful setting other than to the people who want to RP like it’s WoW instead of just playing WoW, I’m driving cross country to have a word with ANet and I will personally oversee the firing of whoever came up with the dumbkitten idea to implement Druid, or who cares what it’s called, ANY Ranger change like this.

You seem pretty convinced that Ranger will be getting an actually good “wow, that really fills a role we needed!” specialization unlike the three we’ve already seen.

What precisely in the last three years has led you to believe that they will be putting extra special attention into the Druid?

The best we can hope for is for it to not be complete and total crap.

Mesmers are getting a 25% movement speed minor trait as well as more team support and AoE options. Reaper is getting an actual melee damage weapon and the ability to lock down targets with soft CC while getting a much needed PvE damage boost. Guardian is getting a reliable 1200 range weapon that actually has decent enough damage to be used outside of autoing world bosses and more active ways to utilize their virtues in combat that make their virtues less like “special signets” than they are now.
From what we can already see with Tempest, elementalist are getting a better ability to be able to play on the frontline, and somehow their everything is getting even more ability to do everything.

Every single one of these changes is a change that has been highly requested, in some form, by these communities of players.

I therefore think it’s reasonable to expect that, based on the fact that rangers have been requesting a change to our mechanic to make it more responsive/versatile/micromanage-able, or to not be tied to the current implementation of “pet sidekick” at all, as well as more team/group support options and more AoE/cleave, that it is very reasonable to expect any of these line items to be addressed.

Now, if ANet can somehow make that happen with transformations, fine, I’ll have to deal with how they implement it and will have to tolerate peoples excitement being a kitten furry while other classes can manipulate time and death, hunt and kill dragons, and wield and call forth the power of storms.

But, if it isn’t evident by the way I presented that information, it would be nice to actually get something “cool” or that would have a “significant weight” to it, and considering how a transforming nature kitten furry who can turn into the animal they pet wouldn’t be ANYBODIES choice for a tactical squad journeying into unknown territory to hunt and kill an elder dragon (and that’s just the lore and story aspect of the game) when you have an expert at hunting dragons, a time manipulator, a person wielding and calling down storms on their enemies, and a literal death wielder, and that’s only half of the classes, it would be nice to have an actual interesting, intuitive, and powerful alteration to the class through the elite specialization (also the Revenant is channeling some of the most powerful lore figures of all time, I might add, to aid in the fight, and really, would you rather have a shiro reincarnation on your side of a kittening furry).

Substance E.4852:

jcbroe.4329:

If I have to deal with BS transformations that will never be worthwhile in any sort of meaningful setting other than to the people who want to RP like it’s WoW instead of just playing WoW, I’m driving cross country to have a word with ANet and I will personally oversee the firing of whoever came up with the dumbkitten idea to implement Druid, or who cares what it’s called, ANY Ranger change like this.

You seem pretty convinced that Ranger will be getting an actually good “wow, that really fills a role we needed!” specialization unlike the three we’ve already seen.

What precisely in the last three years has led you to believe that they will be putting extra special attention into the Druid?

The best we can hope for is for it to not be complete and total crap.

Well Anet has flat out said that druid would be AoE and support focused, so unless they did a total shift on druid (which from the sounds of a lot of the more recent interviews they did), it should fill the AoE and support niche we need.

That being said, I would be beyond kittened if we end up getting wells as our utility type, I’ve never liked Wells and think they’re incredibly boring to use (not to have an ally use, just for me personally to do so). That being said, if it is wells i’ll know that i’ll end up being a shout or spirit ranger which makes my job a lot easier…

Funny, I was just talking to my friend yesterday that it would be amusing if druid gets animal transformation kits or some type of nature magic creatures, each with diffrent roles to play such as healing, tanking, control, dps, condition etc. Another idea is manipulation. Poison Ivy, anyone?

jcbroe.4329:

Substance E.4852:

jcbroe.4329:

If I have to deal with BS transformations that will never be worthwhile in any sort of meaningful setting other than to the people who want to RP like it’s WoW instead of just playing WoW, I’m driving cross country to have a word with ANet and I will personally oversee the firing of whoever came up with the dumbkitten idea to implement Druid, or who cares what it’s called, ANY Ranger change like this.

You seem pretty convinced that Ranger will be getting an actually good “wow, that really fills a role we needed!” specialization unlike the three we’ve already seen.

What precisely in the last three years has led you to believe that they will be putting extra special attention into the Druid?

The best we can hope for is for it to not be complete and total crap.

Mesmers are getting a 25% movement speed minor trait as well as more team support and AoE options. Reaper is getting an actual melee damage weapon and the ability to lock down targets with soft CC while getting a much needed PvE damage boost. Guardian is getting a reliable 1200 range weapon that actually has decent enough damage to be used outside of autoing world bosses and more active ways to utilize their virtues in combat that make their virtues less like “special signets” than they are now.
From what we can already see with Tempest, elementalist are getting a better ability to be able to play on the frontline, and somehow their everything is getting even more ability to do everything.

Every single one of these changes is a change that has been highly requested, in some form, by these communities of players.

I therefore think it’s reasonable to expect that, based on the fact that rangers have been requesting a change to our mechanic to make it more responsive/versatile/micromanage-able, or to not be tied to the current implementation of “pet sidekick” at all, as well as more team/group support options and more AoE/cleave, that it is very reasonable to expect any of these line items to be addressed.

Now, if ANet can somehow make that happen with transformations, fine, I’ll have to deal with how they implement it and will have to tolerate peoples excitement being a kitten furry while other classes can manipulate time and death, hunt and kill dragons, and wield and call forth the power of storms.

But, if it isn’t evident by the way I presented that information, it would be nice to actually get something “cool” or that would have a “significant weight” to it, and considering how a transforming nature kitten furry who can turn into the animal they pet wouldn’t be ANYBODIES choice for a tactical squad journeying into unknown territory to hunt and kill an elder dragon (and that’s just the lore and story aspect of the game) when you have an expert at hunting dragons, a time manipulator, a person wielding and calling down storms on their enemies, and a literal death wielder, and that’s only half of the classes, it would be nice to have an actual interesting, intuitive, and powerful alteration to the class through the elite specialization (also the Revenant is channeling some of the most powerful lore figures of all time, I might add, to aid in the fight, and really, would you rather have a shiro reincarnation on your side of a kittening furry).

To the bolded part: if they listen to the #1 request posted on the forums since I got on here then we’ll be getting rid of the pet for the Druid.

Pretty sure Anet already said the druid was designed heavily around the staff weapon, unlike other elite specializations. A transformation would replace all the staff skills entirely, so that doesn’t seem likely to me.

Not to mention that turning into animals doesn’t fit the Guild Wars druids thematically.

Ehecatl.9172:

Pretty sure Anet already said the druid was designed heavily around the staff weapon, unlike other elite specializations. A transformation would replace all the staff skills entirely, so that doesn’t seem likely to me.

Not to mention that turning into animals doesn’t fit the Guild Wars druids thematically.

From what I’ve read about GW1 druids, although there isn’t much to go off of, Druids became highly attuned with Nature. When I personally think “attuned to nature,” I think of the ability to create forests and manipulate the natural elements and creatures. You can entangle foes in roots you’ve grown and plant seeds on them that grow and suck the life out of them and sap them of energy, you can create environments (like quicksand and frozen ground) to hamper enemies, and call forth MANY animals of the wild to make an army to attack enemies.

So yes, I’d be inclined to agree that it will be more like a caster and less like a shapeshifter.

jcbroe.4329:

From what I’ve read about GW1 druids, although there isn’t much to go off of, Druids became highly attuned with Nature. When I personally think “attuned to nature,” I think of the ability to create forests and manipulate the natural elements and creatures. You can entangle foes in roots you’ve grown and plant seeds on them that grow and suck the life out of them and sap them of energy, you can create environments (like quicksand and frozen ground) to hamper enemies, and call forth MANY animals of the wild to make an army to attack enemies.

So yes, I’d be inclined to agree that it will be more like a caster and less like a shapeshifter.

The Guild Wars druids were very plant oriented. Very spirit oriented too. They shed their bodies entirely to become nature spirits. If we do get a transformation skill we’ll be turning into a giant spirit creature, not an animal. And that suggests we’d gain more potent nature spells rather than physical attacks like clawing and biting.

Honestly if we didn’t already have spirits I’d expect us to get new spirit skills. As of now I am hoping for consecrations. Though I suppose we may get spirit based minions as offensive spirits we can summon. Then we’d have a ritualist kind of playstyle where we summon immobile ranged attacking spirits. Maybe take Sun Spirit and two offensive spirits and a longbow and load the enemy up with burning.

We’ll just have to wait and see. I just hope we get the reveal soon because the wait is driving me nuts. I want to know what sort of gear I should be saving up for.