Guild Wars 2

1. Trait overhaul – And when I say overhaul, I really mean redesigning it from the ground up. The +% traits should be either eliminated or integrated into each trait line, while traits that are build defining are added into the system. This may also require removing stats from the trait lines.

2. Build diversity – Part of this will come with an overhaul of the trait system, but may also require expanding on the weapon system as well as the utility skills. Elites could probably use an overhaul as well. It’s pretty bad when I’d rather take a utility skill than an elite, but don’t have any choice in the matter.

3. Progressing the World Story – No, I don’t mean the “Living World” bubbles that have zero effect on the world when they are removed two weeks after they appear. Also, please, get some better character designers. Trahearne and Scarlet are quite possibly the worst characters I’ve seen in any form of media (no offense intended).

As an honorable mention… Recalculate combat speeds – To be honest, I’m not sure how well this would work, and it could end up being horrible, but I’d love to see how the game played with the pace of combat slowed down a bit and the duration of CC, buffs and debuffs increased a bit to compensate. I think that a slightly slower pace would allow players to use tactics a little better in group fights. Right now, the game plays like an action game. It would be interesting to see how the game played as an RPG.

While I enjoy the class and I have fun playing it, I feel it is quite lacking in a number of areas.

The weapons could be balanced a bit better. Long cast times just don’t belong in a game that is this fast paced, and abilities with long delays are just as bad. I’m also not a fan of limiting the range based solely on weapon, something no other class really has to deal with.

I didn’t like the Traits in beta, and I still don’t like them. There are a few decent ones here and there, but many just seem like filler or tiny bonuses that don’t really mean much for a class that is built upon cycling attunements. Yes, other classes have weapon swaps, but I’ve never really needed to swap unless going from melee to ranged, or vice versa.

I’d also like to see some better cross-element synergies. Not combos per se, but something to add more depth to the class. Technically, I’d say all the classes need a bit more depth.

Also, I despise their underwater abilities and I avoid it whenever possible. I’ll complete the Hearts and Skill Challenges, but I’ll never return to those areas ever again, and don’t get me started on underwater in Orr. Whoever designed that needs a swift sledgehammer to the nuts.

Still, with all the faults, I find the class fun to play. I enjoy stance dancing, and I think the overall concept of the class is solid. It just needs some work, but it is not alone in this area, as I think all classes still need a lot of work.

Been bugged for well over a week. Wasted a good amount of silver in waypoint fees on this one skill point challenge.

Day 3 (for me) on Gate of Madness.

Bugged yesterday and today (Gate of Madness).