Guild Wars 2

TexZero.7910:

Taurok.6708:

How are you supposed to learn anything when failure SEEMS random and unpredictable?

By first learning that there’s very little random, let alone unpredictable actions in raids.
Everything has a pattern and mostly everything can be avoided or mitigated.

In dungeons this was difficult to learn and put into practice when a lot is happening at once. It was very easy to attempt the dungeon many times
And not know how to improve. You can get a guide for the path, but you cannot get a guide to learn to dodge/mitigate a bunch of stuff at the same time. At least I never found such a guide. That is why I emphasized that it can ‘seem’ random, and therefore frustrating and unintuitive. I have never done a raid myself to know how they compare. Of course I know it is possible to confidently mitigate damage in dungeons. I saw plenty of players do it. But I would not call it intuitive, easy to learn through practice, or accessible. And part of this is just baked in to the mechanics of the game, like I’m talking about. Dodge is all. I don’t know if they can make this style of play more intuitive and accessible, but I think they should.

Comparisons like this always break down under scrutiny, but take platformer games. They are often difficult games that beginners can’t master easily. But they are also very intuitive, owing in part to their simplicity. A player can get better through practice and it’s pretty clear how to do that. If you are banging your head against a
wall, at least you know why.

I am a returning player, and I actually hope to do raids myself. But accessibility is definitely a concern. For one, even Dungeons were not very accessible at all when I quit. Don’t get me wrong, I was running multiple paths every day for gold and tokens. But getting to that point was a frustrating experience. You really had to bang your head against the wall and then lie about your experience when you wanted to dive in with the Zerker groups. And to be honest, I never totally mastered dodge/defensive abilities. It just looks like a bunch of craziness all over the screen. How are you supposed
To learn anything when failure SEEMS random and unpredictable?

Guild Wars 2 changed a lot about MMOs. But the dungeons don’t offer a good, fun, satisfying way to improve gradually and comfortably. Are raids the same? I suppose
Someone may counter that you can PuG with other inexperienced players to learn. But that method sucks, and it has always sucked. This is a problem games like Vanilla WoW did not have to anything like the same degree. you only hit a brick wall there when you reached content that required you show up for the raid on time and devote 7-8 hours. That is also a huge accessibility issue- scheduling. If we are even using that word, then accessibility is worth talking about. I think the issue arises from the meta the game mechanics encourage and they have just never found a way around it.

Raine.1394:

If you understood dueling at all you would understand that its primary objective is not fun, but rather sharpening ones PvP skills. As such, it is already in the game. You can create an instance in which to sharpen your PvP skills via dueling.

I would like dueling in the game because it’s fun, a good change of pace, and something to do when you need to wait. I would like it to be convenient enough to actually get used for those purposes. If that means I don’t understand dueling, I’m OK with that.

Also, it’s worth mentioning again that creating custom arenas and joining empty servers are garbage options for dueling. That will technically work, but dueling in instances needs better support if the plan is for us to duel in instances. Not that I care, because for my purposes having to leave the zone defeats the purpose.

Poplolita.2638:

I’m talking about custom arena in general. You can always make one “just-for-fun”. Nothing is stopping you. For instance, I made one 3 months ago, and It worked just fine. Test it.

I know I can do this. But as I tried to convey, there are advantages to doing it in the open world compared to Custom Arenas. Open world > custom arenas for the purposes of just-for-fun duels. Open world would transform dueling from a feature I’ve used exactly once to a feature I use all time. Additionally, PvP is not designed for duels. There are complications if you try to use PvP maps for this purpose. If we’re going for instanced dueling, that is something that needs more support (not that I care, I won’t use it).

uknortherner.2670:

Xia.3485:

Duels are like the costume brawl; fun between friends while waiting in PvE.

In other words, duelling already exists in the form of costume brawls. Case closed.

Thus proving that dueling won’t cause problems, because it’s already in the game and there are no problems. Anyone can play this game, so let’s just move past it. Everyone knows costume brawls are not a substitute for dueling. It’s implicit even in the arguments of people who don’t want to add duels. Dueling is to costume brawl as basketball is to hop-scotch. If I want to do one, the other is not fit for purpose.

Moshari.8570:

Dark Catalyst.1028:

If you don’t want to duel, then don’t duel. Stop trying to take it away from people who may want it.

I could care less about dueling as long as I have the option to turn off any and all requests from people who want to duel me….if they add it, they better make it a toggle (allow duel, on / off). I also really worry about all the crap that will come into play regarding balance if the introduce it.

I still don’t see the point of it though…you can costume brawl, you can go to PvP, you can launch fireballs and etc at each other (for no damage) to your hearts content…so what’s the point?

No one complains that Costume Brawls are ruining the game, like they say duels would (as far as I know). I think we all tacitly understand that one is not a replacement for the other. The option of going to PvP is not a great one at current for this purpose, but it’s something. However, you miss out on a lot, as I described above.

Want to meet up in Queensdale and throw fireballs at each other?

Poplolita.2638:

For the 10219231 times, you have custom arena for duels. Read scramblers post, he gets it.

The purpose of this post is to show that there are benefits to having duels in the open-world.

Broadly speaking, I think duels and duelers fall into one of two categories: “competitive” and “just-for-fun”. The “competitive” dueler has worked out a dueling build, wears his dueling gear, and seeks competitive matches against skilled opponents. Dueling is what he logged on for. Custom Arenas as implemented aren’t great at all for this purpose, but I think instanced dueling or dueling arenas could work fine for the competitive dueler in theory (unless I’m missing something).

But all my dueling in the past has been of the “just-for-fun” variety. And for this, convenience is paramount. I’m not here to duel, I’m here for some other purpose, perhaps leveling up. But how about a change of pace… want to duel, person I know or don’t? Sure! Ha ha, you got me. Back to the game. Want to duel while we wait for everyone to arrive? Sure, let’s kill some time! Later that day, I’m at a guild party on Southsun Beach. Everyone look and clear channel! SlayerDude is fighting WolfLady! Ah ha ha! Don’t we have wacky and fun times you guys!? It’s a huge “flavor” feature. Hide dueling away in an instance or arena and this never happens.

It’s one of the most commonly made requests, OP. In the meantime, there are missions for guilds to complete. Some of them are crap, some are alright, some are just cutesy mini-games. But it’s something.

Guys, think about this. They did not call the series “Guild Wars” because it was an event in Tyrian history. There’s no excuse for the lack of GvG and other guild features in the best-supported, most updated online world in the industry that just happens to be called Guild Wars 2.

Zypher.7609:

Taurok.6708:

Actually, I’m quite surprised how snarky moderators get sometimes on these forums. Once it was in response to people who were rude, another time, not really. I don’t care. Everyone here is a paying customer. Doesn’t reflect well on ANet at all imo. I can only think of two examples, though. Maybe they are not representative.

A paying customer does not have the right to be rude, I do not care how much they pay.

Whether or not a customer has a right to be rude is a separate issue, in my mind, from how a business should treat it’s paying customers. I can believe “customers shouldn’t be rude” and “business shouldn’t be rude back” at the same time. There is no contradiction there.

I do disagree that paying customers don’t have the right to be rude. Like all rights, you shouldn’t exercise it indiscriminately. But I’m not impressed by the plight of the poor developer with rude customers. You’re a business entity. Spare us the sob story. Just deal with it.

I know you’re going to hate hearing this, but developers don’t owe you transparency. Period. If they don’t want to tell you what they’re planning; they don’t have to. You AREN’T a shareholder. You AREN’T their boss. You have no grounds to expect or demand ANYTHING from them.

If you can’t accept that… that’s YOUR problem, not theirs.

I suddenly want my money back. Guess that’s my problem, too.

ExiledDiclonius.1653:

I personally play Guild Wars 2 on 50 inch TV, and most of the time I find myself troubled by the fact I cant see pointer when there is somekind of action.

Trust me, if you were playing Guild Wars 2 on a smartphone you would lose track of your thumbs. This isn’t the only issue that makes the prevalent zerg-style content insane to even try to play. It’s not even the only graphics issue.

Actually, I’m quite surprised how snarky moderators get sometimes on these forums. Once it was in response to people who were rude, another time, not really. I don’t care. Everyone here is a paying customer. Doesn’t reflect well on ANet at all imo. I can only think of two examples, though. Maybe they are not representative.

The visual clutter is one reason dodge isn’t great in PvE imo. Nothing to do with the UI. It is difficult even to learn dungeon encounters in this game. They are very dependent on dodging if you want to use DPS gear, and it’s difficult to recognize tells in the middle of the big mess. Dodge is a “twitch” mechanic, but in this game it requires no “twitch” skill (topic for another thread). The only challenge is trying to figure out what is happening on the screen, which doesn’t scream brilliant action game to me. I’ve even seen it suggested that players learn to dodge entirely by feel, or “using the force” as I call it. That’s not good. Improving the UI is wonderful, but unless you’re improving it in such a way that it will tell me when to dodge and what attacks enemies are using, it’s not addressing this particular issue.

TLDR if this is supposed to be an action game, I need to see what’s going on.

I support this suggestion, and not just because I want to keep those filthy casuals away from me. I speed-run or teach paths to newbies depending on what mood I’m in. The problem is the way dungeons and gear are designed crams newbies and sub-optimal players into the same content with your elitists, speed-runners and experienced players. These are both perfectly fine play-styles, but they do not mix well. I don’t think one type of player should be expected to group with others who have not made the same sacrifices (in the case of speed-runners) and do not share their style and goals if they don’t want to. And new players will run into some jerks no matter what they do, gauranteed (sub-optimal players aren’t the only ones who don’t always read the description). Keeping these two camps as far from each other as possible is a good idea. So, I approve. Heck, take it even further, if you can.

SkylightMoon.1980:

SkylightMoon.1980:

Again I see nothing but stakcing lupi on a wall and bursting him lol. Its kinda a joke.

Please post your pro vid or solo vid since it’s apparently so easy to do

The encounters allow too much cheese (or the appearance of it) to be really inspiring for some people, regardless of the skill that goes into executing it. It’s like being the World Champion of Knitting. On the one hand, I can appreciate the level of talent and skill that goes into it. On other hand- eh.

My favorite, is when they ask “What gear your wearing” I reply: “Zerk” (lol but its not) Finish dungeon as usual…and then at end you see chat saying “Zerk” FTW and “Thats why Zerk only is only way”

Meanwhile they dont realize atleast 2 out of the 5 were not wearing zerk gear.

#PLAYFORFUN

One wonders why you need to trick zerker-build players into playing with you o.O

Just trollin’?

I don’t know how things are on your server, and your WvW experience will vary depending on matchup. But I recommend finding commanders who are on Teamspeak (don’t be afraid to ask). This will probably be a big change if you’re not already doing this, depending on the commander. You don’t need a mic. Even better, find a guild that regularly WvW’s with it’s own commanders. Some of these are super-hardcore with requirements for build, class, participation, etc. Some are much more relaxed, like mine. There will likely still be a fair amount of PvD, taking uncontested towers, and one-sided fights, to be honest. But you will also be coordinating a lot more with your group, contributing more, making clutch captures and fights, and understanding what you’re doing in “the big picture”.

One thing I didn’t expect about WvW is how little there is in the way of “catch-up” mechanics. That is, things to slow down the winning team so every match doesn’t devolve into a landslide one-way-or-the-other at every particular moment. This isn’t about changing the outcome of the match-up, but moment-to-moment gameplay. Something like a keep that is difficult to capture, even undefended. As it is, there is nothing for zergs to do except fight other zergs. Anything else could be done just as well by a small group (who also doesn’t have enough to do, ironically). If you’re losing, there is nothing to fall back on and expect a better fight. Zone-wide buffs for the losing side won’t cut it, it needs to be something on the map.

Seems like a no-brainer in a game like this. This isn’t Team Fortress, where players are more-or-less drawn from the same pool and the next match starts in ten minutes. Fights need to be balanced out, even when one server is dominating in score. The losers have to be able to put up meaningful resistance, even if they have to do it on their front-lawn. And a group of five shouldn’t be capturing entire borderlands on their own.

Then again, I’m a moron. I may be way off.

tigirius.9014:

Archmortal.1027:

tigirius.9014:

I’m also not impressed that they haven’t fixed basic problems that other game titles hashed out years ago in PVE

This is a sentiment I’ve seen a lot since the game launched, and it’s a sentiment that needs to be reminded that those other game titles had a lot more time under their belt than GW2 did, and does now.

Although in another year I’ll go ahead and start agreeing with you.

And that’s an excuse I’ve heard alot from people over time but even things we thought would be fixed by the 1 year mark are still problems today. It can’t be that hard to implement these things when other games have had the exact same problems under the hood and their solutions worked perfectly fine for years now.

“… we’ve ramped up to make Guild Wars 2 the best-supported, most-updated online world in the industry.”

Just sayin’.

I doubt blocking second hand sales is a good idea or can even be implemented at all at this point. But I love what some flippers/speculators imagine their role in the in-game economy is. Oh no! The price of widgets is going down! I better buy before prices get too low! Got to make sure everyone gets a good deal! But wait! The price is about to go up! Sell before it gets too high! If it get’s too high, people who need widgets will get screwed! And I have seven account’s worth! They’re the unsung heroes. Must be hard to give and give and get no thanks. Can’t we take up a collection for the flippers and speculators? A little thank you for everything they do for us?

I actually don’t hate you guys, believe it or not. Well, some of you, but not just because you play the market XD. I just think you’re not realistic about your relationship with the producers and consumers lol.

mtpelion.4562:

It is kind of time consuming, and the drop rate is pretty low, but the other materials from the bags are currently rising in price so it certainly isn’t the worst way to spend your time.

Thanks for the tips!

mtpelion.4562:

Taurok.6708:

I was afraid of that. I almost feel like I’m being penalized for having multiple level 80s (yay! :P). So I’m looking at parking four alts at jumping puzzles. Maybe five, as that would give me enough character slots for each class. But no more. Probably not even worth the effort. I’ll have to buy most of them, anyway. Either that or become a trading post mogul :/.

Not the end of the world, but I think Silver Doubloons and the Juggernaut could use some attention.

Your 80s can still farm the Doubloons, just not from the JP. Try killing some medium leveled, blind, underground foes for the bags they carry while mining…

Good point. But I don’t need three level 80s for that XD. Two of them will just be collecting dust (as far as Silver Doubloons, anyway). I’ll try that and see how it goes. I’d be surprised if it’s better than buying them outright, though.

mtpelion.4562:

Your level 80 won’t see Silver Doubloons (downleveling does not affect the loot here). You have to park a level 30ish character at a JP for a chance at the Silver Doubloons.

I was afraid of that. I almost feel like I’m being penalized for having multiple level 80s (yay! :P). So I’m looking at parking four alts at jumping puzzles. Maybe five, as that would give me enough character slots for each class. But no more. Probably not even worth the effort. I’ll have to buy most of them, anyway. Either that or become a trading post mogul :/.

Not the end of the world, but I think Silver Doubloons and the Juggernaut could use some attention.

I’m trying to get Silver Doubloons from JP chests. Either I’m doing it wrong, or the RNG god is making its displeasure known to me. I have a L80 parked at Crimson Plateau JP in Diessa Plateau (downlevels to L24). Another L80 at Swashbuckler’s Cove in Gendarran (downlevels to L30). I have two level 21-22 alts parked at Under New Management JP in Southsun Cove. I just moved a level 21 to the end chest of Angvar’s Trove guild mission in Snowden Drifts (thought I might get more loot there). I was doing several JPs a day for a few days in LA before it blew up. That makes five characters parked at chests, and I’m working on a sixth.

Nothing so far. Based on the rates people report in this thread, I was hoping for something by now. Am I doing this wrong, or is this just my usual bad luck? Could I be doing it more effectively than I am now?

Nage.1520:

Maybe the people who “for whatever reason” think it’s quality because it is. Seems to me you’re setting yourself and those like you up as the ultimate arbiter of what’s good and what’s bad. Some people might find that offensive.

Another way of saying “setting yourself and those like you up as the ultimate arbiter of what’s good and what’s bad” is “offering an opinion”.

I would like to get either the Selfless or Thoughtless potion for my main. It’s a male Norn with a Heavy Norn Cultural Tier 3 helmet. I think either could look great with those antlers… or terrible. Depending on how it all fits. Can anyone help me out with pictures of either potion used in combination with this helm? Or know where I can find a picture? Or can advise me from personal experience? Thanks in advance! Here is the helm in question:

As I said in another thread,

Nobody wants the additional stats on Ascended gear (hurray for generalizations!). It drives the horizontal progression crowd nuts, and anyone who wants Ascended in the game will tell you how meaningless the stat increase is. Just nerf ascended gear to have the same stats as exotic if you want to please everyone.

Cyninja.2954:

I never said they “feel” irrelevant about the stat benefit. I said the benefit is irrelevant. People can give anything value if they deem it relevant(aka they “feel” it’s important to them). That alone doesn’t make it so.

Look at all the achievement hunters. Those give no substantial benefit yet people still do them. Same goes for people who wear rares instead of exotics on accessory slots because they don’t feel the need to upgrade (even though a clear stat benefit could be measured).

As is, ascended gear and the way it’s implemented provides a bridge between vertical and non-vertical progression. It’s vertical, but provides so little value that it can be ignored (if you look at it objectively and not with OCD glasses).

I think you make a good point, but I have one issue with it. Presumably then, the only reason people chase an irrelevant stat increase is their own set of OCD glasses. Everyone involved has OCD, so it’s not condemning. If the illusion of being more powerful is real and valid then the illusion of being less powerful is also. In effect, you’re proposing the stat increase specifically as a psycholigical motivator, but extending the priviledge of feeling more or less powerful only to people who share your opinion. If the psychological motivator works as intended, but they don’t agree with you that it’s a positive addition, then they have “OCD”. It may not be your intention, but this seems like eating your cake and having it both. How you’re permitted to feel about the efficacy of the stat increase shouldn’t be tied to whether you think it’s a good idea or not, which seems to be your attitude. Again, in operation, not necessarily by intention.

I think the result of all this is we arrive back at square one of the great “verticle vs. horizontal progression debate”, whether we’re dealing with a concrete or illusory advantage. And this is continuing under the assumption that the stat increase has no meaningful effect on gameplay, which is a whole other thing to get into.

Cyninja.2954:

Would I have prefered non-vertical progression? Hell yes!

Am I realist enough to understand that the game would have a fraction of its player base? Yes.

Stop chasing the non-vertical progression dream in mmorpgs and face reality. For a big tripple A title, it won’t work.

You want Living story, balance patches, new content, holiday events, stable servers, multiple developer teams working on your game? Stop hating on the fact that money needs to be made. Vertical progression is just one of the easy ways of monetization (creating content where there is none for people).

This falls under the category of “personal problems”. Claims were made. I also doubt it is true, and I don’t think “hating on the fact that money needs to be made” is a fair characterization.

I concede that the stat increases on Ascended gear make no difference. Which makes the solution to the “problem” of Ascended gear obvious. Do I even need to say it?

Nerf Ascended gear to have the same stats as exotic. The stat increase does not matter, so nothing is lost and everyone wins. What possible objection could there be to this meaningless, inconsequential nerf?