Guild Wars 2

vesica tempestas.1563:

i like the new auras they are well drawn, whats the problem?

The problem isn’t with the quality of the new auras, it’s in the design of them.

The old auras felt powerful and encompassing, like a full field of energy enveloping your character.

These new auras just look like a small flurry of light at your ankles, and an unbelievably thin shell around you.

It doesn’t feel like it would burn my attackers or reflect cannonballs, it doesn’t seem substantial enough to lash out and stun someone who hits me.

Also, the new auras are tough to see.
In PvP, it can be very hard to tell if someone has shocking aura on them, which can lead to being stunned out of important channels or combos.
The old shocking aura was not only very bright and loud, it also had a lot of movement to it which drew the eye.

As others pointed out, the new auras may cut down FX ‘noise’, but they also cut out functionality and flavor.

I do not want the new aura FX to be deleted, just made optional.
Have the FX LoD option control if you see the reduced visuals (new ones) or the bright and large visuals (original flavor).

Bump for visibility (pun intended).
I would absolutely love to see the Aura effects returned to their original glory with the new ‘effects LoD’ options.

Everyone knows that the end-game of GW2 is looking fabulous, and until we get our aura FX back the Elementalist (and especially Tempest) is severely hampered in this regard by our colored-egg-shell powers.

Everyone knows that the real “End Game” of Guild Wars 2 is looking good.
Skins, auras, weapons, outfits, color coordination, these are the real marks of an end-game player.

So then, why do they keep destroying the visual appeal?

The game was launched with a ‘painterly’ style. The map, the UI, the cut-scenes, it all has a very beautiful style that displays the talent and passion of the artists at work.

So then why would they remove some of the best looking skill effects?

Honestly, this is a terrifying set of changes.
I now have a very real fear that the game I love is sick and dying, as I watch the things I adore about GW2 slowly be cut-out and discarded.