Guild Wars 2

Kaz.5430:

It’s an elite specialisation rather than just another trait line.

Personally I think that they should have made it so that instead of picking three normal specs or 1 elite and 2 normal, that you should always pick 1 elite and 2 normal.

Each of the original trait lines could then get a special elite trait that only gets used if you’ve picked that line as the ‘elite specialisation’. The new elite specs having access to a unique weapon and utility skills would then make more sense IMO as it would be the ‘elite’ trait for the line.

Well Elite specs are meant to sharply define your party role: They forcibly bind you into traits designed for a certain role and alter your profession mechanic.
The 5 trees that are the core specs generally focus on : Burst DPS, Condi DPS, Support, Control and improving the profession mechanic. Picking 3 of these lets you fill at least 2 of these roles based on how that role is defined for your class (Condi Guardian = Burning, Condi Necro = poison, some bleed).
By giving up one of these potential roles or the ability to up your profession mechanics, you’re getting access to a new role in the form of the Elite spec.

Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better class-expansion system. Hope they add new weapons/skill types going forward