Guild Wars 2

A specialization that utilizes offhand sword, Swashbuckler for example, would be 100x better than a “Sniper” specialization. I mean…seriously, this “Sniper” specialization talk is the dumbest thing I’ve heard in GW2.

At least with offhand sword, if they do it properly, it can offer a very interesting play style. A stealth-less play style.

Imagine a S/S:

Dual skill: similar to Whirlwind. It will grant a slight evasion frame, a mobility (similar to HS spam), AND it will be skill shot based (meaning if you suck at aiming in the heat of the moment, you will do less/no damage).

Skill 4 can be something similar to Twisting Fang. However, with some changes..like: usable while moving and applies inflicts cripple and vulnerability. This will allow the offhand sword a bit of control over enemies movement.

Skill 5 can be a defensive skill like Counterattack. The counterattack itself would briefly stun the attacker and do minimal damage. However, if a counterattack does not trigger, then the skill would cause a blast finisher and apply a short duration protection buff. This way, for more defensive and stealth-less plays, thieves will have more defensive capability to balance the lack of stealth.

The lack of stealth from off-hand sword would pretty much negate all stealth based skills (Backstab, Tactical Strike, etc.) being used, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still use utilities and combo fields to enter stealth.

For D/S dual skill, it could be something like a blend between Dancing Dagger and Shadow Shot with 2 parts to it. For the first part, you throw your dagger (exactly like Dancing Dagger), crippling the enemy. The second part is based on activation, like Flanking Strike. The second part shadowsteps you to the enemy and does a sword sweep that knocksdown your target.

Finally, for P/S dual skill, it could be something like a quick dashing skill. You overload your pistol with gunpowder and shoot backwards, knocking down anyone directly behind you, and slashing any enemies in your dashing path.

The possibilities for unique plays is boundless and very active, compared to a…oh let me sit here spamming rifle 111111 and hiding at range cause I lack reaction based play.

Great sword master race!

imagine a staff. then you could pull off some donetello type kitten, like almost purley defensive play but extremely slippery and amazing animations xD

100% agree with you here. Rifle on thieves is just asking all the other professions to QQ more. Plus IMO it would be a boring as hell weapon set… Props to the guys who attempted to come up with some nice ideas for it, but honestly, NO.

Lol shield. Shadow Knight! Okay hold your horses guys, I agree that getting an off hand weapon of any type would be nice because that increases our diversity because of dual skills but like what they said this expansion pack will be the fundamental groundwork for the game meaning we’re going to get new weapons in the future. Plus we don’t even know what the skills for rifle would be, it could be as useful as the engineer’s rifle or worse comes to worse as useless as killshot warrior. Either way we’re getting a rifle Which I think would be awesome if it works.

Dual Swords is so cliche and overused though across all video games~ And with upcoming nerfs sword will probably be in an even worse place with even less condi removal and mobility. We also know they favor stealth above all and probably wouldn’t design something like that since it wouldn’t prioritize that.

Let’s really face reality:

The most mindblowingly original gamechanging idea they can do to be so apparently ‘excited’ about is main-hand Torch; Arsonist imo. They may not be ready to leap into something so innovative and amazing though so I doubt it’ll happen yet.

I’m more towards the hope of melee-staff … although, the MH Torch/Pyromaniac bit could be hella fun.

Mace, because lol ;-)

Do not try to stop the upcoming melee rifle!!! It’s not thief smarty pants the name changes so it fits, you can already play melee assasin with many variations we all know that we don’t want another copy of what we already have.

Give us something fun and unique like mace, warhorn or torch. Just something that’s not the obvious choice like rifle.

The new weapon will be one-of-the-few things that come with the specialization.

I embrace the rifle if the specialization has something logical to do with it.

…and because it MAKES PERFECT SENSE.

Furthermore:

A stealth-less play style.

Get out. You’re not a thief, go play something else.

I will take any weapon besides the rifle. i also think it would be boring.

Either way its safe to say its going to be a 2hander, as much as a want a sword offhand do you really think arena nets going to take the time adding in d/s p/s, you should know better after so long

Highlie.7641:

I will take any weapon besides the rifle. i also think it would be boring.

Either way its safe to say its going to be a 2hander, as much as a want a sword offhand do you really think arena nets going to take the time adding in d/s p/s, you should know better after so long

That’s why I wrote this.

If I thought it was going to be sword offhand, I wouldn’t even have bothered writing up examples of skills, because that would mean it was pointless, as they already have the skills made.

I would be more than happy with GS though.

Yea…I’d definitely put my vote in for sword offhand for our specialization.

KEEP CALM
AND
JOIN THE
GLORIOUS
GREAT SWORD RACE

My l33t paint skillz. Couldn’t find the right font .

Kurow.3076:

A specialization that utilizes offhand sword, Swashbuckler for example, would be 100x better than a “Sniper” specialization. I mean…seriously, this “Sniper” specialization talk is the dumbest thing I’ve heard in GW2.

At least with offhand sword, if they do it properly, it can offer a very interesting play style. A stealth-less play style.

Imagine a S/S:

Dual skill: similar to Whirlwind. It will grant a slight evasion frame, a mobility (similar to HS spam), AND it will be skill shot based (meaning if you suck at aiming in the heat of the moment, you will do less/no damage).

Skill 4 can be something similar to Twisting Fang. However, with some changes..like: usable while moving and applies inflicts cripple and vulnerability. This will allow the offhand sword a bit of control over enemies movement.

Skill 5 can be a defensive skill like Counterattack. The counterattack itself would briefly stun the attacker and do minimal damage. However, if a counterattack does not trigger, then the skill would cause a blast finisher and apply a short duration protection buff. This way, for more defensive and stealth-less plays, thieves will have more defensive capability to balance the lack of stealth.

The lack of stealth from off-hand sword would pretty much negate all stealth based skills (Backstab, Tactical Strike, etc.) being used, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still use utilities and combo fields to enter stealth.

For D/S dual skill, it could be something like a blend between Dancing Dagger and Shadow Shot with 2 parts to it. For the first part, you throw your dagger (exactly like Dancing Dagger), crippling the enemy. The second part is based on activation, like Flanking Strike. The second part shadowsteps you to the enemy and does a sword sweep that knocksdown your target.

Finally, for P/S dual skill, it could be something like a quick dashing skill. You overload your pistol with gunpowder and shoot backwards, knocking down anyone directly behind you, and slashing any enemies in your dashing path.

The possibilities for unique plays is boundless and very active, compared to a…oh let me sit here spamming rifle 111111 and hiding at range cause I lack reaction based play.

instead you’d have a 333333 or 5555555 spamming evade and counter or knockdown thanks to initiative system

You know what’s more original?!

Offhand focus

with power of the darkness

Kurow.3076:

For D/S dual skill, it could be something like a blend between Dancing Dagger and Shadow Shot with 2 parts to it. For the first part, you throw your dagger (exactly like Dancing Dagger), crippling the enemy. The second part is based on activation, like Flanking Strike. The second part shadowsteps you to the enemy and does a sword sweep that knocksdown your target.

Finally, for P/S dual skill, it could be something like a quick dashing skill. You overload your pistol with gunpowder and shoot backwards, knocking down anyone directly behind you, and slashing any enemies in your dashing path.

This is the main reason why off-hand sword will never work. It just doesn’t make sense outside S/S.

I agree with the OP. Rifle sounds is uninteresting. I play a thief so I can skirmish. Sitting out at 1200 … why?

What if the new weapon for the thief is no-weapon off hand. They can take the steal mechanic and turn it up. We could get new skills based on who we are fighting and even change mid fight. That would be fun.

Just imagine this, close your eyes, see your thief flying around with a staff, chopping enemies into chunks like a crashing helicopter. Isn’t it more glorious than lying in a bush with a gun!?

I’m still hoping for a staff with close combat, flamboyant, agile, fighting style. Something like Kilik from Soul Calibur. With some stealth enabler thrown in for good measure. I want to go invisible and poke and stab people.

Imagine a nice parry-riposte attack (maybe staff 4) that enables stealth on the 2nd attack, or a big swoop knee bursting roundhouse swing that will knockdown enemies in a 180 radius (staff 5). Or even a nice polevault mobility+damage move like Corvus from Heretic 2. (staff 3)

They can even recycle Death Blossom and give it to staff and give d/d something that fits better.

choucs.4507:

You know what’s more original?!

Offhand focus

with power of the darkness

Rifle would be the worst choice.

I love the idea of the focus.

“Blood Stalker’
Axe/focus – all attacks range 600
Copious extremely short duration conditions (1-3s) on all weapon skills, all weapon skills have low damage coefficients (.25 – .6)

Specilization mechanic – Sowing. 2 “Stances”, 1 activate skill
“Stances” – 5s CD on switching stances
Sow Destruction – your attacks do 25% more damage (Remember, the base damage coeffecient of all of the weapon skills are very low)
Sow Disease – double duration of all conditions inflicted via weapon skill

Activation skill
Reap – 600 range, 5s cd .25 cast time- If In “Destruction” stance, gain boons based on the conditions inflicted on your target. If in “Disease” stance, strip 1 boon for each condition on your target.

Tonikor.5637:

The new weapon will be one-of-the-few things that come with the specialization.

I embrace the rifle if the specialization has something logical to do with it.

…and because it MAKES PERFECT SENSE.

Furthermore:

A stealth-less play style.

Get out. You’re not a thief, go play something else.

Yea, every class should revolve around a single mechanic; that would be so fun.

Go back to LoL.

I vote for a rifle, because I think it would be fun. Offhand sword would be super boring.

evilapprentice.6379:

I love the idea of the focus.

Dual-wield focus with Boxing animation.

we need the rifle for the new range meta in wvw!

pepper.6179:

we need the rifle for the new range meta in wvw!

We need lasers just like The Predator that we can use from stealth.

Eh. There’s at least one “good” thing about Rifle. Namely, more bullets for Gunslinger specs. Break out your SSH mixes and Touhou Project OSTs.

>.>
It has to be a great sword. So I can come back here and say “I told you so”.

Besides the “I told you so”, a great sword looks more promising for a stealth-less (and maybe even evade-less, since the sword is big and heavy) builds that hopefully will survive going toe-to-toe with an opponent and the opponent feeling like it was a “fair” fight afterwards (regardless of winning or losing). Also possibly bring better WvW zerging potential, since that’s there to stay.

Though I have a very bad feeling, that it will be a torch/focus offhand.

We will see sometime in late summer, I guess.

Zero Day.2594:

~snip~
…the opponent feeling like it was a “fair” fight…
~snip~

Unfortunately, it’s automatically an “unfair” fight just because it’s a Thief. We know this fully well.

Sir Vincent III.1286:

Zero Day.2594:

~snip~
…the opponent feeling like it was a “fair” fight…
~snip~

Unfortunately, it’s automatically an “unfair” fight just because it’s a Thief. We know this fully well.

Well maybe, just maybe, the specialization will overhaul the thief so much and be called completely something else that they might, just might, forget for a split second that they’re dealing with a thief.

Yeah, I know, it won’t happen.

Rifle is weak on other professions, slow auto attacks, not much combo’s etc. Thiefs are squishier then Rangers, yet rangers will always hold a better longbow (thematic advantage) then the thief will hold riflle. But rifle must be better then LB (damage wise) otherwise our low hp/medium armor combo gives an advantage to ranger (wich has more hp).

Rifle on thief is asking for problems. I can see the ‘NERF CLOACKED SNIPERS ALREADY, one shot out of nowhere’. Even if they are exagerrating, Anet will listen (they listen to often to unargumented nerf calls) it will get nerfed. End result? Thief got no interesting new weapon. The opposite is true.

Phoebe Ascension.8437:

Rifle on thief is asking for problems. I can see the ‘NERF CLOACKED SNIPERS ALREADY, one shot out of nowhere’. Even if they are exagerrating, Anet will listen (they listen to often to unargumented nerf calls) it will get nerfed. End result? Thief got no interesting new weapon. The opposite is true.

I hardly believe that Anet would even allow something such as “cloaked sniper” in the game. The very concept is asking for problems.

I agree, Rifle seems like a very boring choice and is asking for QQ from everywhere. If you want to sit at max range and pew pew role Ranger. Off-hand sword, main-hand or off-hand Axe could be fun as with off-hand sword. I’d still love to see GS though haha <3

lol where was this forum when everyone was begging for rifle on thief

I’m excited for rifle! I have a Charzooka in my bank waiting just in case.

The reason why it will most likely be rifle is because:

1.) A player has already designed skills AND traits for it.

2.) “The current goal is to broaden gameplay for each profession, providing new roles and allowing players to mix and match abilities.” Putting more melee weapons on an already melee intensive profession would be redundant and would fail to accomplish what was intended.

3.) Rifle won’t require anet to design and balance Combo skills and traits for each individual weapon. It would be easier to slap 5 new skills on.

4.) Rifle is a non-magical weapon. Currently only the warrior and engineer can use rifle and both of them are the least magical professions in the game. Thief would be next in line for it if we were to follow this trend since the only magic they use is Shadow Refuge and steps. It makes the most sense in this case.

5.) Thief is the only profession without a terrestrial long-range weapon. Putting a rifle (or longbow) on them would instantly fulfill #2.

6.) With it being the most highly anticipated weapon out of the rest, not getting it could fuel another exodus. Likewise, getting it might bring some vets back.

Rifle could be good for Thief in that it could give the 1,200 range weapon option that Thieves have been asking for from time to time since the game was released.

How it develops is just something everyone will have to wait and see.

How about…
We protest to get both a great sword and a rifle?

Zero Day.2594:

How about…
We protest to get both a great sword and a rifle?

That works too.

yolo swaggins.2570:

The reason why it will most likely be rifle is because:

1.) A player has already designed skills AND traits for it.

I don’t think ANet cares so much if someone already designed skills for them.

yolo swaggins.2570:

2.) “The current goal is to broaden gameplay for each profession, providing new roles and allowing players to mix and match abilities.” Putting more melee weapons on an already melee intensive profession would be redundant and would fail to accomplish what was intended.

Right. Same can be said about the Rifle, we will remain a squishy stealth dependent burst profession.

yolo swaggins.2570:

3.) Rifle won’t require anet to design and balance Combo skills and traits for each individual weapon. It would be easier to slap 5 new skills on.

Yeah, that’s why great swords are great as well.

yolo swaggins.2570:

4.) Rifle is a non-magical weapon. Currently only the warrior and engineer can use rifle and both of them are the least magical professions in the game. Thief would be next in line for it if we were to follow this trend since the only magic they use is Shadow Refuge and steps. It makes the most sense in this case.

Aside from a staff and a focus, all the weapons are non-magical with magic tacked onto them for the sack of the game.

yolo swaggins.2570:

5.) Thief is the only profession without a terrestrial long-range weapon. Putting a rifle (or longbow) on them would instantly fulfill #2.

True, I will give you this point. Can’t deny it.
Though it will bring in the QQ’s of “I’ve died to OP stealthzor teef that wasn’t even on my screen! nerf plox kthnxbye” – but really anything we get will bring some form of QQ.

yolo swaggins.2570:

6.) With it being the most highly anticipated weapon out of the rest, not getting it could fuel another exodus. Likewise, getting it might bring some vets back.

Nah… Great sword master race! Warrior has great sword, guardian has great sword <- leaders of the master race have great swords… Rangers and mesmers have great swords and necro will be getting one as well. And for the sack of things, the rest of the classes should get a great sword. kitten it! Great swords for everyone!

But yeah most likely we won’t get a great sword, I have this suspicion that there will be as few “overlapping” weapons if any, as in thief getting a rifle and guardian getting a rifle. It will most likely be rifle, or the dreaded torch.

Zero Day.2594:

stuff

If and when thieves get rifles, I am going to point and laugh.

yolo swaggins.2570:

If an when thieves get rifles, I am going to point and laugh.

And I will be the first to make a ridiculous QQ post about rifles – and they will get nerfed after day one.

yolo swaggins.2570:

3.) Rifle won’t require anet to design and balance Combo skills and traits for each individual weapon. It would be easier to slap 5 new skills on.

This is the ultimate reason. So by simply doing the process of elimination, only Rifle is left that is appropriate for the Thief — even though I really want GS and the same time Rifle.

Sir Vincent III.1286:

…
even though I really want GS and the same time Rifle.

So yeah, let’s totally start a riot for GS and Rifle…

Zero Day.2594:

Sir Vincent III.1286:

…
even though I really want GS and the same time Rifle.

So yeah, let’s totally start a riot for GS and Rifle…

I rather not. I don’t want ArenaNet giving us a Pitchfork instead. :/

Sir Vincent III.1286:

Zero Day.2594:

Sir Vincent III.1286:

…
even though I really want GS and the same time Rifle.

So yeah, let’s totally start a riot for GS and Rifle…

I rather not. I don’t want ArenaNet giving us a Pitchfork instead. :/

You mean… Torches…

I seem to be against the norm by thinking this but…
I think a Thief using a greatsword is puppying stupid. :C

Just my 2 copper, don’t hurt me!

I’d stab kittens for a great sword! Thief needs less stealth reliant, blademastery type of specialization. While warrior uses GS to project brute force, Thief would be the guy that uses GS with a lot of finesse which involves blocks and parries.

Zzero.4316:

imagine a staff. then you could pull off some donetello type kitten, like almost purley defensive play but extremely slippery and amazing animations xD

You know what? If mesmers can make muthaeffin lasers come out of a greatsword I want to see a thief with a staff go all kungfu on someone’s rear.

Turk.5460:

I seem to be against the norm by thinking this but…
I think a Thief using a greatsword is puppying stupid. :C

Just my 2 copper, don’t hurt me!

Nah, don’t worry, it just feels useless to make attempts to debate this because it won’t have any impact on the final outcome. It’s the reason behind the requested weapons that scares me, for my part.

Zero Day.2594:

Sir Vincent III.1286:

…
even though I really want GS and the same time Rifle.

So yeah, let’s totally start a riot for GS and Rifle…

I could get behind that. I want to use my aetherized rifle and Belindas GS on my charr thief. Have you seen how charr take out rifles? And the possibilities with GS is also pretty cool.