Showing Posts For Apollo.6573:

LS2 is great and looks promising

in Living World

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

The current concept of LS2 from what I can see now is excellent.

The LS2 now is somewhat like a personal story. When an episode is unlocked, you go through a series of instances to uncover the plot. In the first episode, Gates of Maguuma, a new map is also introduced.

This is awesome! GW1 players will definitely give it a thumbs up: a new release that uncovers a new area with new lore presented and explored in a series of instances.

I understand that it is in no way exactly the same as GW1 and neither do we expect it to be. What we all agree on, is that story-telling has improved tremendously. Of course, there is still room for improvement.

From Caera to Scarlet: Revealed

in The Edge of the Mists

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

On a comical note: maybe Scarlet dreamt of Abaddon saying “I am your father.” and she went “NOOOOO” and boom, insanity :P

EotM: New Standard of WvW

in The Edge of the Mists

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

Edge of the Mists has a fantastic design. It is visually impressive, has varying levels (below, middle, upper), undulating terrain (which is cool when zerg surprise-meets zerg when one climbs over the crest and goes ‘Oh f-!’). Most importantly, objectives matter more than points: they have utility.

They should incorporate the utility elements into the main WvW maps.

For example (1), the home server of the borderlands map could have “Defender’s Determination”, and get a x% toughness buff for the team in the home borderlands.

Another example (2): At Overlook keep, all enemies within 1200 range of the keep walls will be marked on the minimap to team members standing in the Keep Lord circle. The effectiveness of the utility could even be scaled. If the keep is T1, range could be 600. At T2, range could be 900. At T3, range could be 1200. (numbers are just examples. what I’m trying to illustrate is that the more the keep is upgraded, the more effective its basic function. If Anet wants they can even unlock a bonus upgrade and add a new utility function. Example: at T3, the range is 1200 PLUS anyone within the inner keep will be able to see enemies on minimap).

Example (3): Lowlands Keep: team members in water within 1200 range of keep walls will be stealthed from surface enemies, etc etc

Example (4): Pangloss Rise can be upgraded with explosives at either mine exit. Rockfall activates and damages first 25 enemies that pass through. Runs out after the 25 uses before upgrade has to be purchased again. (In this case, a T2 supply camp could now offer the explosives utility upgrade that lasts for 35 uses, and is more damaging, etc etc).

Example (5): Mercenary camps can be upgraded for utility purposes too. For example at the Dredge tunnel, the camp could be upgraded for armored carrier ambush, where a hell load of vet to elite dredge mobs spawn at each armored carrier that burrows out of the ground. (players may then use a tactic such as sending one suicide runner to run through the tunnel to check for ambush, so….) A timer will tick when the ambush occurs. If the ambush is not entirely wiped by the end of the timer, all vets are upgraded to elite and the carriers burrow back into the ground. If the ambush is wiped before the timer, players still have to defeat one more Champion Dredge Lieutenant to neutralise the tunnels (accompanied by ~10-12 dredge cannon turrets spawning in the area. The more turrets alive, the more armor and damage and range of the champ’s AOE and attacks.) . Hell, if it was so annoying to run from Wildcreek to Anzalias through the tunnel, I would prob route my forces around… and then I would be delayed ._. Even if I had a big enough zerg to wipe the ambush, the delay factor will still be there.)

etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc.

Main point: Just add utility functions to WvW objectives.

What do you think, guys?

So it took Tyria's greatest detective.

in The Edge of the Mists

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

Why does everything have to tie into GW1?

Yes it’s a big deal for players because it’s the bit of Tyria’s history we were actually involved in, but in-game it was just one of any number of eventful periods, 250 years ago.

Can you tell me what was going on in the real world in and around 1764 and how it ties into everything happening in the world today? Or even some things?

On and unrelated note I think they’ve put so much emphasis on recapping the story because not long ago players were complaining that they couldn’t remember much of the Living Story (or weren’t aware of it in the first place) and it seemed to be a jumbled mess of unrelated events rather than a single coherent plot. They may have over-compensated, I think one cut scene with a character re-capping everything we know so far would have been sufficient – but they had good reason for thinking we needed it explained.

You do have a point. But Tyria as it is now is still a world influenced by magical, divine and omnipotent forces (be it lingering influences from the six gods, power from the Elder Dragons, or asuran magitech). Take the Priory for example. They study history of magical entities from long time ago and see how it can affect the present. And so does the Order of Whispers – history of sociopolitical entities in their case.

On your point of 1764 and 2014: in a similar case, people today still study holy scriptures and ancient religious literature and the prophecies that they theorize. But having that said, between 1764 and 2014 it was a period of rapid changes. There was not ONE but MANY eras. We had the Industrial Revolution. We had the Cold War Arms Race that changed technology. We had the Internet Revolution.

In the case of Guild Wars universe, it is more like 1764 and 1514ish. Or even an earlier period with fewer eras of changes. Between GW1 and GW2, there were major changes but they were similar kinds of changes. So it was mostly one era of changes, and it is documented in the in-game book ‘The Movement of the World’ (see Durmand Priory).


Okay but at the end of it all, it may not have to connect to GW1. But new lore cannot just come out of nowhere. The characters involved in the events must have certain motivations to ignite them. And we’re not seeing the significant clues to these motivations. Yes, there are the leylines. But what about them? I can’t do anything about them. You must have let me something to suspect. And build Living Story quests/journeys/instances towards that suspense. Let me try to prevent it with what I have. ONLY THEN when the plot twists, I will be OMG’d.

So it took Tyria's greatest detective.

in The Edge of the Mists

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

Delaqua’s instance should not be used for new players to recap the story so far.

To propagate a story forward you cannot keep recapping. Right now it’s like every episode in a TV drama series is a recap of the previous episodes such that the story is mostly Episode 1. We have a wiki for that. That’s what I did when I missed out on GW1 lore since I never played GW1.

Forced into even more WvW that I despise

in The Edge of the Mists

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

The idea behind a Legendary weapon is that it is supposed to be somewhat completionist. With the introduction of achievement chests, 500 badges of honor is easy to get without getting into WvW, and WvW is a big part of the game.

It’s supposed to be a ‘show-off’ that you’ve played most of the core content, and played long enough to be ‘worthy’ of a Legendary.

Forced into even more WvW that I despise

in The Edge of the Mists

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

You’re only ‘dragged’ or ‘forced’ into content if you are chasing achievement points – which should not be how you play GW2.

So it took Tyria's greatest detective.

in The Edge of the Mists

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

Spoiler Alert

ANet, I think Marjory Delaqua deserves better than this.

You don’t need gazillion pieces of evidence to discover that Scarlet is going to attack Lion’s Arch. And the Captain’s Council in this LS is made to look so incompetent. You’re telling me that when an enemy’s probe is right at your doorstep, “Scarlet won’t attack LA so soon again”? The fact that it has been attacked before should make the Council deploy more forces in its defence.

The Aetherblades’ Retreat was in Lion’s Arch. Now there’s suddenly a probe in LA waters.

LA, lore-wise right now, is pretty damaged after the karka invasion in The Lost Shores, and the Aetherblades’ attack in Dragon Bash. People in LA should either be living in fear or fleeing from it.

For these reasons alone, it can already be deduced that LA has a high chance of being sieged, and if it were to be attacked, its losses this time would be exponential. Shouldn’t the bulk of the Lionguard across the continent be recalled to LA to bolster its defence? I mean, DUDE, this mad sylvari has FOUR kittening armies! She could march her armies by foot in broad daylight from the four corners of Tyria and still inflict heavy damage.

You don’t need Marjory to deduce all that. She deserves more.

The 10 pieces of evidence could instead be used to tell us more about her true intent. Right now, it is used to tell us only about her next move. Could the 10 pieces be cross-referenced and examined with past Guild Wars 1 lore (or perhaps craft NEW Guild Wars 1 lore by introducing us something that happened in GW1 that we never heard before, but fits in the circumstances then, or something between GW1 and GW2. Then we can extrapolate more accurately her motives.

What do you think about this, guys?

(edited by Apollo.6573)

So it took Tyria's greatest detective.

in Living World

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

Spoiler Alert

ANet, I think Marjory Delaqua deserves better than this.

You don’t need gazillion pieces of evidence to discover that Scarlet is going to attack Lion’s Arch. And the Captain’s Council in this LS is made to look so incompetent. You’re telling me that when an enemy’s probe is right at your doorstep, “Scarlet won’t attack LA so soon again”? The fact that it has been attacked before should make the Council deploy more forces in its defence.

The Aetherblades’ Retreat was in Lion’s Arch. Now there’s suddenly a probe in LA waters.

LA, lore-wise right now, is pretty damaged after the karka invasion in The Lost Shores, and the Aetherblades’ attack in Dragon Bash. People in LA should either be living in fear or fleeing from it.

For these reasons alone, it can already be deduced that LA has a high chance of being sieged, and if it were to be attacked, its losses this time would be exponential. Shouldn’t the bulk of the Lionguard across the continent be recalled to LA to bolster its defence? I mean, DUDE, this mad sylvari has FOUR kittening armies! She could march her armies in broad daylight without using portals and inflict heavy damage.

You don’t need Marjory to deduce all that. She deserves more.

The 10 pieces of evidence could instead be used to tell us more about her true intent. Right now, it is used to tell us only about her next move. Could the 10 pieces be cross-referenced and examined with past Guild Wars 1 lore (or perhaps craft NEW Guild Wars 1 lore by introducing us something that happened in GW1 that we never heard before, but fits in the circumstances then, or something between GW1 and GW2. Then we can extrapolate more accurately her motives.

What do you think about this, guys?

Ellen Kiel did not deliver her promise

in Fractured

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

Jus’ pointing out the mismatch in lore or something that should be taken advantage of as an opportunity for further development.

At the end of Cutthroat Politics, Ellen Kiel promised to fund research into the Thaumanova Reactor incident.

But clearly in the story mode, she barged her way into Mistlock Observatory and demanded Dessa to explore that part of the Mists.

There was no payment. It was a councillor with Lionguard affiliations exerting her authority over a Consortium asset.

It would add more depth to the story if a Consortium director enters the observatory to inquire Ellen’s visit to the observatory, and by the time he arrives (after the reactor part has been visited by the player), he witnesses Ellen’s attempt to bring Dessa back for her investigation and threatens her with something along the lines of: “The Commodore will hear about this, Kiel!”

That’d be way cooler and leaves player with something to look forward to.

(edited by Apollo.6573)

Abaddon and Scarlet and LS suggestions.

in Living World

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

There are a few main reasons why Abaddon is such an intriguing character and creates such a propelling story in GW1 compared to Scarlet – and also the elder dragons – in GW2.

One main reason is because he is not all-seeing and all-powerful. He has limits as a villain. He is confined in his Realm of Torrent by the other five gods. But prior to that, he has already been established as a clever and deceptive figure (well, he is the God of Secrets). Through his followers, he influences and thwarts the events around the world.

Scarlet, on the other hand, is a commander of entire factions and when the player encounters her she goes “Oh, I already expected you. It was for fun, bye!”, clearly shows she has nothing better to do. Abaddon has plans. He has schemes. He seeks revenge. He seeks to restore his former glory.

Up till now, we still don’t have the slightest bit at what Scarlet is after. She has almost everything! So right now, she is just lunatic wrecking havoc across the lands.

But look at The Joker from The Dark Knight (2008). He’s sorta invincible. He likes the world to burn. Yet he is such a mesmerising character. Why? Because he affects us deeply through other characters that we have grown to taking a liking for through the movie. However, in the case of Scarlet, she hasn’t really done much except attacking anywhere and everywhere with no clear goal. So despite doing much destruction in the world, to the player, she hasn’t done anything at all.

Scarlet may not be ‘perfect’ or ‘invincible’ in the sense that he’s probably an injured child at heart. But as a player, we don’t care. Because who is she to us? Why am I exploring her emotional side now? To me, she is just a damaged lunatic throwing kitten everywhere.

Even the elder dragon story in GW1 is more propelling than in GW2 with the rise of the Great Destroyer and the appearance of Primordus.

The key to good characters is depth and their interests and their conflict of interests as they progress in a story.

Give less details of each release.

In the release page, there is always some ‘backstory’. “ELLEN AND EVON ARE GOING FOR ELECTIONS. CAST YOUR VOTE NOW” Don’t overhype the releases. Just leave subtle hints that something is added to the game. You could just add in patch notes with a short introduction: “Word from Lion’s Arch is that a campaign strategist is needed on deck. Speak to the Elections Official in the Commodore’s office in Lion’s Arch.” Then use the NPC to direct the player to Ellen Kiel and Evon Gnashblade. Living Story categories should also be locked until discovered.

That is to say, instead of seeing the name ‘Cutthroat Politics’. It should say ‘Locked’. And when hovered over, it gives the short introduction above to guide the player on how to unlock the category. Hence, while the patch notes make it look like something small, the locked category in achievement UI suggests that it leads to something more!

The key to a good story is about leaving some and holding back some, like how the key to a good orgy is about yearning. Don’t just lump everything to the player :P

(edited by Apollo.6573)

Fractal Daily Reward

in Fractured

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

Hi

Just wanna ask what the ‘tiers’ that give its own daily chest reward? Is it:
1-10
11-20
21-30
etc etc

or:

1-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
etc etc

Solo farming setup/build

in Elementalist

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

Hello all. I’m wondering what’s a good setup/build optimised for solo farming for mats in open world PVE, like in Orr, Southsun, etc.

- Traits
- Utilities
- Weapons and sigils

Thanks

Bugged dynamic event in Diessa Plateau

in Bugs: Game, Forum, Website

Posted by: Apollo.6573

Apollo.6573

The event in Diessa Plateau that requires you to defend a cow ranch from harpy attacks is currently bugged on many servers. It’s stuck and cannot be progressed and blocking the usage of the cattlepult to access the vista.