Guild Wars 2

Let me get this straight, in the current game there are an average of less than 40 challenges per Zone: Maguuma Jungle, Ascalon, Kryta, Shiverpeak Mountains, and Orr. This is proven because there are 5 Zones and 189 Hero Challenges counted toward Map Completion. Assuming that there are at least 40 Hero Challenges in Heart of Thorns means that the Challenge density will be about the same (or greater) as the current game.

You’d require most of this “more than enough” number to get the spec with all its traits and skills, also known as the reason you’re getting it. That isn’t so bad, right? Complete effectively three maps to get an elite specialization?

Even then, I can beeline the 20-40 challenges and get the spec to complete the majority of the game expansion, right? I suppose, but even then, you’re going through most of the maps trying to get around half the available challenges. Why most of the maps? Well, Masteries, of course! Many of the new Hero Challenges will require the new Mastery system’s abilities, like gliding, to be able to access, not to mention that some require more advancement into a Mastery to be able to acces. So, to get my 20 challenges to finally get my spec, I will need to go through most of the content or get most of the Masteries before I can complete the spec with usable Grandmaster traits. (Because I’m totally for having partial specs slotted. They are so useful to have not even half the traits and abilities.) At that point, for many people, most of the point of having the spec – to be able to use it in the new content – is completely wasted by requiring me to go through and discover most/all waypoints so I can beam back if I fall or otherwise die trying to get to the Challenges.

Keep in mind, I don’t have more than one of each class, and my expectation is still to take weeks into months to get these Specializations.