Guild Wars 2

I miss the variability of GW1 skill system, too. I enjoyed the possibility to choose from many possibilities. One of the things that made bearable for me (and many of my guildies, from what I know) to map and complete and vanquish the same zones/dungeons/elite adventures over and over was to change builds and experiments with new skills’ combinations. Sometimes, I felt like to try a new elite skill I did not really used that much and to build something around it; it was fun, it was strategy.
Evidently, GW2 does not offer the same kind of deepness in terms of planning the fight; at least not in most of the PvE. I am not saying this is wrong, since I am a GW1 “veteran” and I accept that my opinion is biased.
However, I have elements to disagree on GW2’s combat being simpler than GW1’s. It just moved the focus from certain things to others. For example, GW2 has less skills but has many more possibilities to interact with the environment. Just the dodging adds an important layer: then, effects can be added to the dodging (with it, Warrior can damage AoE, Guardian can heal AoE; also skills can be activated even if they are not in the skillbar, let’s think about Evasive Arcana with Elementalist – different effects according to Attunement, too! – and so on).
In GW1 one had to carefully plan the builds of the team before entering the fight (acceptable strategy required); in GW2, it is more important how you move once the fight begins (good reflexes make your life easier).
Of course, in part the reverse is also true: in GW1 you had to be careful about interrupt (mostly if you were Mesmer) or avoid interruption in order to cast efficiently; there were some good reflexes. In GW2, if you’re very good at dodging but you suck at planning you may miss to switch your Daredevil’s Grandmaster trait and end up with the wrong dodging effect.
TL;DR: I still miss GW1 skills’ variability and complexity, I felt it added something to the combat system. Still I disagree that GW2’s combat is simpler than GW1’s, skills are not everything. Anyway, GW2 is the game it is and it would be tough to change too radically. Opinions on the matter are a thing, and nostalgia is ok; asking for drastic changes is probably a sterile query.

So many interesting posts. I usually do not really follow lore when naming a character. I prefer to give them an overall theme and get along with what inspires me. I also try to fit in an appropriate citation and/or a joke that could amuse me and at the same time somehow represent the character (also on the appearance level, if I find it appropriate).
Examples:
- Annatar the White – Necromancer, Charr – I am a Tolkien’s fan, for those who get the citation. The pun is that this White one really has a mostly black fur… with white stripes. All the while he wears white armor… and is a grim Necromancer who asks blood from friends and strangers alike for his experiments.
- Nazgul Tracker – Ranger, Sylvari – ok, I really am a Tolkien’s fan. Well met, Laurelin.
- Gear of the Plot – Engineer, Asura – a wordplay. In my mind, this is an enthusiast and devious schemer, very smart but very paranoid. Plus, the “gear” part fits his professional mechanical theme.
- Odium Rising – Guardian, Charr – I am also a fan of Brandon Sanderson’s work, this one coming paraphrased from the Stormlight Archives. The pun is that, for all his nasty name, the character is a Guardian with so much protective abilities… who is also a bloodthirsty Charr with a very bad attitude in general.

Sorry, Virus, I have to disagree on many points.
While I like the Mursaat as cool villains, they still remain that: villains.
The White Mantles I always liked a bit less, since they’re somehow more pathetic, willing puppets of smarter and far more cunning and powerful manipulators.
Anyway, aside from personal tastes.
1. How is it that King Jadon of Kryta is to be blamed for running for is life in front of Charr invasion (1070 AE) while Mursaat running for their life from Elder Dragons (10,000 BE) was fair? Running is running.
2. Nowhere in game (as far as I know) is/was said that opening the Door of Komalie resulted in magic being released from the Bloodstone in Abaddon’s Mouth or anywhere else. Opening the Door of Komalie frees Titans, does not awake Elder Dragons (until officially stated otherwise).
3. The White Mantle never honestly worked in the best interest of Kryta or Tyria at large. They are either zealots fanatically devoted to the Mursaat (who just coincidentally needed a kingdom to work for them, in order to covertly sacrifice souls and keep the Door of Komalie closed) or self-righteous power-hungry criminals. Murdering citizens who in good faith trust you (as Justiciar Hablion and others did back then) never can be justified with “you must endure for the greater good”. Does not matter how much safe they kept the country since they did not have the morals to back up their right to rule.
4. Even now, the White Mantle is actively trying to infiltrate and subvert the Krytan government from within, with methods like poisoning, kidnapping, brainwashing and murdering. They are terrorist and that makes your points of “Shining Blades stroke first” and “the Queen didn’t send a diplomat” just moot points. Sending diplomats to deal with terrorists would acknowledge them as recognized political entities on equal terms with the Krytan government. At that point, if that is the attitude, one could just forfeit the war and surrender.
5. As for in game implementations, as everyone else said, joining the White Mantle won’t happen. It is not like joining the Vigil/Whispers/Priory. It would a choice much more divisive, with much more impact on the story. Very, VERY improbable to happen in Guild Wars 2. At that point, you could just wish for a new playable race, if you want. Tengu, Skritt, Titans… Mursaat.

Hi.
Today I noticed that the NPC selling Whisper’s armors in the Chantry of Secrets
(Armor Requisitioner Betje) does not sell the shoulder piece of the light armor (Whisper’s Secret Mantle). The heavy and medium armor sets are ok as the other five pieces of the light armor set.
Pic in attachment.