Guild Wars 2

So, we know for certain that druids are coming, no question, because Colin himself said so and we saw a druid in the trailer there. But due to the discussions happening and picking apart Colin’s words, I believe we’ll be getting multiple specializations for each class (otherwise it wouldn’t be a “customization” or a “choice” like Colin said it’d be. It’d just be an addition.)

Here’s a bit of trivia a lot of people don’t know about Rangers; During development for the Ranger class, it was originally broken down into three distinct classes – The Warden, an nature magic user, The Marksman, a shaprshooter and trapper, and The Beast Master, which should be obvious – and immediately you can see parallels. The class was eventually brought back together into a cohesive whole now known as the ranger, but they may be using that whole deal as inspiration for the specializations. As such, these are my proposed speculations.

Druid is pretty obvious – nature magic in particular, utilizing a staff (probably for CC, based on the roots). Specialization in the utility of spirits and basically being in tune with the natural world in order to protect it and use it.

The Marksman would be something I know quite a few of us want; a ranger with a rifle. The idea is to set up a “nest” of sorts and snipe people, using traps to delay the approach of enemies and potentially stealth to set up proper shots. This would be a weird sort of burst setup all about preparation and using your pet for clean escapes.

And the third would be the Beast Master. the gist of this one is pretty obvious, as it’d primarily be a PvE specialization focused on using your pet as a powerhouse while you sit in the back, contribute some damage, and buff the pet and your party as necessary. Notably, this Spec would allow for oversized pets, such as drake broodmothers or siege devourers, which would just be all kinds of awesome. the only problem with the idea is that I’m having trouble coming up with an additional weapon they could – one thought is the pistol, potentially for off and main hand.

As the individual who long ago wrote the guide to pet types that’s still in use to this day, I think you can probably guess at the spec I’d choose from out of the above. I’d like to know your thoughts on the idea, and what one you’d prefer. Possibly also ideas for the Beast Master’s weapon.

Pistols, rifles, guns in general are the worst weapon sets a ranger should have. These barbaric weapons have nothing to do with nature and the ranger theme.

dont want Beast Master because thats too similar to what we already have.

Remember the mechanics of the class suppose to also change depending on sub class.

So what would change about beast master to make them cool and fun to play over the current class?

I think that a focus would be a better decision for the beast master. They seem more so than staves and scepters to focus on specific characteristics of a profession’s chosen magic.
I always thought it would be a cool idea for a focus on a ranger to conjure a sort of magic leash that further adds control to our pets rather than more attacks. For example, a skill that allows you to swap places with your pet.

niconori.7235:

Pistols, rifles, guns in general are the worst weapon sets a ranger should have. These barbaric weapons have nothing to do with nature and the ranger theme.

You can take your nature theme and go dancing around the mulberry bush with it.

id really like a some sort of shapeshifting specialization, at least that’s how I imagined the druid: a combination of Nature Magic and Beast Mastery tree allowing ranger to interact with the animal’s spirit to buff himself and party in some way. druid’s mechanic should be a spirit bar which fills up during combat kind of like fury, and when full, enhances the interaction between ranger and pet in some way either by buffing damage, enabling party heals, or power rezzing.

then we have the obvious sniper, with a reduced pet function, perhaps just a bird or dog to scout or give boons or something.

and the third spec id like to see is a survival trapper with high sustain and camouflage skills, which would entail giving additional utility to traps, like stunbreaking, heals and boons on cast/activation.

trapper should have no pet interaction, sharpshooter very limited, and druid/beastmaster specialized in pet interaction.

trapper should be strong with offhands, sharpshooter with bows, and druid with staff/greatsword.

this is how I fantasize about playing my ranger and hope we get there some day.

A BM would focus on CC to help pets hit.
Can anyone say Bunner thumper hammer?

Or perhaps main hand mace?

Wanderer.3248:

niconori.7235:

Pistols, rifles, guns in general are the worst weapon sets a ranger should have. These barbaric weapons have nothing to do with nature and the ranger theme.

You can take your nature theme and go dancing around the mulberry bush with it.

You have a problem with it? Tell that to anet.

rpfohr.7048:

A BM would focus on CC to help pets hit.
Can anyone say Bunner thumper hammer?

Or perhaps main hand mace?

if we’re going with CC, I could see a main hand pistol (mimicking the #4 pistol skill at the least) or a main hand mace. This’d potentially leave the off-hand free for things like a warhorn or torch, both of which in the right circumstances can provide considerable buffs.

I’m not sure…
All I want is to make my Ranger a really good Archer & Hack’n’Slash-er, propably more speed to it.
Wish to become more warrior-ish at this point.

We either could go more Offensive and Deffensive.

I wish we could have a spear on land. Like an accrobatic melee weapon with a decent range for a melee and no cleave. I think it would be good and fun to play

I agree with OP on first 2 specialization but I don’t see us getting oversized pets.

tbh, I’ve been thinking every class will get 3, 2 that change up the profession as is a bit, and then the third to really drive home what it is at the moment.

A Beast Master should get a whip! (not to mention how cool it’d look for a priory ranger to explore ancient tombs and search for lost artifacts clad in leather with a whip and a fedora).

Knighthonor.4061:

dont want Beast Master because thats too similar to what we already have.

Remember the mechanics of the class suppose to also change depending on sub class.

So what would change about beast master to make them cool and fun to play over the current class?

More stronger pets with distinct abilities, weapon which fully synergize with the pet in every ability, ability to summon multiple pets *cough*Alpha Strike*cough* for a brief time, Pet Attack oriented utilities. Pet AoE resistances and ressurections.

Quite easy to think of.

I’ll be specializing into whichever one allows me to get rid of the pet… If none do, I’ll specialize into whichever one improves DPS for the Ranger the most.

Otherwise, I’ll be playing on the new class.

I want specialization, even more focused on longbow. No rifle, staff, whatever - longbow!

Same for me. Want to specialize Longbow arching. Shoot it faster, further, with more projectile velocity and accuracy.

My idea for the Beastmaster spec would be to have the Ranger control two pets at once as opposed to swapping them back and forth. I always wondered what it would be like if my devourer and drake worked together. Or even better: TWO BEARS!!!!!! >:D

Colin said during the after party that there will only be one specialization for each class from this expac .

We only are getting 1 specialization per profession for the HoT expansion.

Link for proof: http://www.shacknews.com/article/87848/guild-wars-2-director-discusses-heart-of-thorns-revenants-guild-halls-and-more

Well this expansion has lost a lot of points from me then.

I would assume more specilizations will come out as the game progresses. But I imagine theyl want to release one at a time. In the end I imagine youl only be able to have one specialization for each class active. But thatl wait until each class has multiple set up (probably wont occur anytime soon as theyl make sure whats there has a place before shoving new things into the mix)

Malkavian.4516:

Or even better: TWO BEARS!!!!!! >:D

O

M

G

…

Shadelang.3012:

I would assume more specilizations will come out as the game progresses.

I could easily see the Specializations being selling points for future expansions.

Marksman/Sniper is most likely what will thief get.

Hope they don’t outlast Ranger distance and effectivenes………

I want a whip too…. Really bad ):

Wow you people are imaginative…. “lets have a ranger with space armor, and lets have dinosaur pets, lets make them 200% bigger and lets give rangers bombs, and a staff and a rifle” How about leave rangers the way they are lol

kmorland.9486:

Wow you people are imaginative…. “lets have a ranger with space armor, and lets have dinosaur pets, lets make them 200% bigger and lets give rangers bombs, and a staff and a rifle” How about leave rangers the way they are lol

With the exceptions;

1. We want real medium armors, leather + metal – not silk pijamas.
2. No dinosaurs, but a wide collection, may includes raptor.
3. Not 200% bigger, just not little juveniles…
4. Bombs? Rifle? Staff? Well, we’ll get a staff.
5. How about not to leave a half-done class as it is?

RoyalPredator.9163:

With the exceptions;

1. We want real medium armors, leather + metal – not silk pijamas.

Believe it or not, we’re actually getting that
Check it: http://imgur.com/qqevj6q

I hope if cantha come they will add zen archer.

Woah, finally!!
Really hope the male variation won’t look just… let’s say, ridiculous.
& that there will be plenty of this kind after 2.5+ years…
Thanks for the share!

Harnel.6810:

RoyalPredator.9163:

With the exceptions;

1. We want real medium armors, leather + metal – not silk pijamas.

Believe it or not, we’re actually getting that
Check it: http://imgur.com/qqevj6q

That’s good stuff. We need more male medium armor moving in that direction and away from the trenchcoat/dresses.

thefantasticg.3984:

Harnel.6810:

RoyalPredator.9163:

With the exceptions;

1. We want real medium armors, leather + metal – not silk pijamas.

Believe it or not, we’re actually getting that
Check it: http://imgur.com/qqevj6q

That’s good stuff. We need more male medium armor moving in that direction and away from the trenchcoat/dresses.

Now if only they had more male medium armor that let my norn run around bear chested…