The two main areas for discussion will be Horizontal and Vertical progression, however please understand that the commentary and ideation we are really looking for regarding vertical is around its accessibility in game.
I’m not sure I understand this bit; could you clarify?
Basically:
- How easy it is to attain the Ascended gear?
- Is the balance of acquisition of Ascended out of whack between different game-modes (i.e. Easier in PvE than WvW, easier in the open world than it’s intended game mode [Fractals])?
Ascended gear is “easy” to attain (skill-wise) but not (in my opinion) quick enough to attain. I believe this is largely due to it’s methods of acquisition, with the exception of Rings and Amulets and Accessories (though with the probable increase to 500 Jewelry it will be significantly easier).
You have three options for ultimately obtaining an Ascended Weapons/Armor (not the components).
1) Crafting. Is the definitive method of acquisition. This way first takes money or a lot of rng luck and time to get to lvl 500. I commend that it can be synergistic to do world events/dungeons to acquire money/mats to fuel this progression.
What could be improved is the puzzling need to Refine T6 ->425-> Make Exotics ->450-> Refine Tier 7 ->475-> Make more of the same Exotics from 425-450. I would value something like being able to make Deldrimor Ingots and Spiritwood Planks and possibly Globs of Dark Matter from 475 -> 500. It’s a little odd that items with recipes that unlock at 450 eventually stop gaining me experience before a recipe I unlock at lvl 400
What hurts perhaps the most is that without significant time investment Crafting an Ascended Weapon is a giant money sink and it competes with other parts of the game (aka cosmetics, gem shop, and mini pets) where Exotic quality items had a non-competing and synergistic option in Dungeons.
2) RNG Drop of Ascended Weapon and Armor chests anywhere Ascended materials can drop (Champion Bags, Guild Mission Rewards, World Events, Dungeon Rewards, FoTM)
This is not a good or reliable acquisition method for attaining an Ascended Weapon. I’m sure this fits into the Anet loot philosophy of the “epic” drop. But honestly even with 5 alts and a desire to gear them all differently, if I got a box drop in a stat I didn’t need it would only be “epicly disappointing”
3) Tequatl Weapons
Special skin and specific stats. Good idea but would be better if there were more examples in the game.
Like I’ve talked a little bit about in the Crafting section, I think it would be nice to have a token option for Ascended Weapons just like Exotic tier weapons. Pristine Fractal Relics, Dungeon Tokens, or Laurels (I wouldn’t be opposed to some kind of token for Tequatl either) that an further provide options for players seeking an Ascended weapon.
Final)
I understand theoretically Dragonite/Empyereal/Bloodstone act in a similar fashion to tokens (guaranteeing an Ascended Weapon for X amount of effort) but it is also tied to the problem of Ascended Weapons being only a money sink instead of the optional timesink/moneysink/rng that exotics enjoyed. Making people choose between spending gold on armor or on other aspects of the game was a relatively foreign concept until ascended weapon/armor crafting
Because the most reliable method of acquiring ascended weapons is a money sink, whichever activity is the most gold profitable is the most favored activity. (which again competes with the cosmetic side of the game)