Guild Wars 2

Substance E.4852:

Aidenwolf.5964:

If revenue isn’t to the liking of the parent company they can at their discretion, fire everyone and re-staff, including the chairman unless protection against termination is claused into his agreement (something I had included in a contact once). Anet hasn’t controlled it’s own destiny since before launch of GW1.

Have you seen the contract/s that was signed when Anet went self publishing? Do you know this for a fact?

All we know is that Anet is self publishing aka responsible for effectively the entirely of their operations as a company and that NCsoft retains the rights to the ArenaNet and Guild Wars brands.

All the precise details between the companies is likely somewhere in some SEC style documentation over in Korea, in Korean, if it exists at all for the public.

While bad GW2 performance would look bad on NCsoft, we have no idea to what extent they can affect change on ArenaNet to offset it.

The change in publishing was likely to protect NCSoft from potential legal issues related to Free To Play. Changing the game model did open up NCSoft to legal challenge though none arose. The game being delivered digitally also removed the need for boxed distribution which was previously done by NCSoft.

As Anet are still owned by NCSoft the change of publisher name is irrelevant. It simply means if you have issues with the game you contact Anet instead of NCSoft.

Substance E.4852:

morrolan.9608:

Thaddeus.4891:

Guys Ncsoft have nothing to do with GW2 anymore and for like a long time now.

Except you know owning Arenanet.

Anet has been self publishing since roughly September. Short of owning the IP, NCsoft likely has little influence in Anet as a company.

Whether this is because NCsoft thinks Anet doesn’t need their money and can put it toward other projects or have just abandoned GW2 is up to interpretation since neither will comment on it I’m sure.

http://massivelyop.com/2015/09/01/pax-prime-2015-president-mike-obrien-addresses-rumors-about-business-model-and-the-arenanet-base-on-the-moon/?utm_content=bufferaa249&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Anet is owned by NCSoft. Whatever NCSoft wants Anet does. If revenue isn’t to the liking of the parent company they can at their discretion, fire everyone and re-staff, including the chairman unless protection against termination is claused into his agreement (something I had included in a contact once). Anet hasn’t controlled it’s own destiny since before launch of GW1.

These projections will affect share price of NCSoft which will put heat on Anet, to think or say otherwise exibits a lack understanding how corporations operate.

Mirrodin.8729:

Shadowflare.2759:

…Why they think the reworked Diamond Skin is a buff compared to the old DS??

Let me start off by saying that yes, Diamond Skin needed a rework, I’m not here to argue that. However, the toxic part about the old DS (aside from my personal bias against the health threshold) was that it prevented condition APPLICATION.

I don’t think people understand how huge of a difference that makes.

Before, when you try to apply condis, nothing would stick, when you try to corrupt boons, at most you remove the boons and yet no conditions are added. And when/if you manage to drop the ele’s HP under 90%, if they react quickly enough with condi clear/heals, they go back to the immunity. It means the window of opportunity for pure condi users was extremely small in a 1 v 1.

The new DS however, does not prevent application. Hell it isn’t even a resistance, so anything you throw on them takes effect immediately. This means poison, chill, fear can be dropped with some covering conditions, and these three conditions then severely hamper an ele’s ability to maintain health above 75%, or to recover once dropped below the threshold. Boon corruption of course becomes much more powerful vs this new DS. Even with the health threshold being lowered to 75%, this new DS is probably easier to break than the old one.

I honestly just don’t see how people are saying this is a buff. However, maybe I missed something, so please, explain to me why people see this as a buff.

find another build, no light armor user should last longer than a heavy armor by nature, yet without boon corruption (sometimes even with that) eles outlast most damages, suck it up and deal with it

Light armor users have magic, obviously. Less armor because they don’t need it. I’m making a silly comment I admit but you’re attempting to apply logic where magic is involved. Also those heavy armor classes have immunity to damage similar to Diamond Skin, shouldn’t those be removed too?

Clearing 1 Condi / second while health is above X% is so far from a buff it’s laughable that anyone would put their name to that comment.

We were impervious to conditions while health was above X% was that too strong? Sure if you didn’t know how to hit an Ele before using your Condi bomb, it was very tough. But Diamond Skin will be worthless now.

1 Condi removed per second is absolutely inferior to
0 Condis applied to say otherwise makes you sound kitten touched in the head.

Just answering you OP not saying you called it a buff.

Drayos.8759:

actually most top players are saying Diamond Skin will actually be a buff in the Circumstances on the next Meta, it offers More to a Proffession with less sustain then the Current Elementalist does have.

Cele Amulet will defintly be a blow to the proffession though, however FUll Support with Magis or something is always a option, either way… Prolly best to wait it out, nobody really knows what will happen when the full Patch list is released.

DS is worthless now, “top players” won’t use it.

Cele loss kills off any tanky ele builds that would’ve used earth it’s game over unless you all heal or all dps.

zaced.7948:

i highly recommend engineer. compared to engi all other classes seem like a waste of time. engi is a master of all trades and outclasses every other class in everything by far.
add the charr masterrace to that and you have a shining demigod walking among filthy peasants laying waste to everything with his gaze alone.
any objection rejected.

I agree with everything except the Charr part, everyone knows Asura are the master race.

Elementalists in competitive PvP were killed today, officially. The QQ of a million (being generous as I doubt that many PvP) players who couldn’t crack DS before Condi bombing the poor little Eles has led to this.

Celestial Amulet – Gone. Out best amulet.
Soldier Amulet – Gone. Our fallback.
Diamond Skin – Obliterated, RIP.
Sigil of Energy – Finished, cya evasive arcana.

The bunker meta created with introduction of the HoT elite specs has finally done what the masses could not, it’s killed Eles. But hey, they’re buffing scepter right, right? I’ll not hold my breath for the uber fresh air nuking Ele to return as thieves will be 1 shotting the super squishy, low hp Elementalists right out of PvP.

I’ll be on my thief, watch your backs gang.

Archon.6480:

Josh Davis.6015:

Amulet Changes:

We’ll be adding the following amulets:

Mercenary’s Amulet
1050 Power
1050 Condition
560 Toughness
560 Vitality

Sage’s Amulet
1050 Power
1050 Condition
560 Healing Power
560 Vitality

Paladin’s Amulet
1050 Power
1050 Precision
560 Toughness
560 Vitality

Mender’s Amulet
1050 Power
1050 Healing Power
560 Precision
560 Vitality

We’re also removing the following amulets:

• Soldier’s
• Settler’s
• Celestial
• Sentinel

That is four of the five amulets I use on Druid (you missed crusader). I am really concerned these changes will vastly reduce Druid’s viability. Sage’s amulet does however look interesting. Does anyone else feel like Ranger/Druid will suffer considerably?

It’s supposed to.

Axialbloom.8109:

Eles will never be above 75% health.

Ding ding ding ding we have a winner. No ele will run DS in PvP again, it’s the removal of an elite nothing more. Stoneheart is the only semi viable earth elite now.

Trinram.3708:

I actually like these changes people keep saying builds are being nerfed this is actually interesting. IMO mesmers were never supposed to be tanking I actually like shatter mesmer it relied on confusing your enemies and strategy. I hope the bunker warrior and dragon hunters comeback. this will definitely change the meta from being so tanky toughnes and vitality amulets seems ok imo we can only wait and see how it plays out when the class balance changes maybe now pvp matches wont actually take so long.
This may also give the core classes a chance too since when ever there in ranked people complain unless your a necro..

Because watching ESPORTS Matches take 15 min to finished with bunker vs bunker was starting to get annoying

After they nerfed PU stealth and now are destroying sigil of energy, shatter isn’t that HoT (sic).

Pyriall.1683:

Josh Davis.6015:

oDe Da Beast.7596:

Mercenary’s Amulet
1050 Power
1050 Condition
560 Toughness
560 Vitality

Pls.

Valid concern – it’s the amulet that I’ll be watching the closest. We’re going to give it a shot and if things don’t work out we won’t hesitate to remove it.

Why not address normalizing health pools first?

This is never happening. Imagine giving guardians a Necro health pool…. The classes aren’t equal, some are low HP by design as they mitigate half of the incoming damage already. Aegis and 25k hp or a glass thief with 20k? Never gonna happen.

Lordrosicky.5813:

HipposWild.7185:

They’re seriously removing cele? Is there any direction or is this all just firing from the hip with your eyes closed? There is no hope here

Statistics show many of these amulets dominate the meta for a long time now. When a few amulets are a large proportion of the meta for years they should be fixed. Statistics prove anet correct

This is a hail Mary not about metrics. They broke balance and are reaching for low hanging fruit before breaking their previous new elite specs (except for Mesmer RIP). Everyone ran cele because it gave decent stats in everything and was adaptable to most builds, nothing more.

Removing cele and putting in 4 stat combo amulets isn’t wise either. If you want balance have 4-5 three stat amulets to choose from.

Jana.6831:

Aidenwolf: What’s your point? Where did I ask for a buff? And what’s DD for you DareDevil or Dagger/Dagger?

DD is dagger dagger for me.

You didn’t ask for a buff, that was my point. Ask for dagger dagger (ffs that’s a pain to type out) to be buffed not DP to be nerfed. I only DD Condi in WvW and that’s dead so… DP is what I roll.

Jana.6831:

“Is she completely insane” yeah, I am but hear me out:

D/P is by far the best weaponset we have: gap closer, stealth “on demand”, interrupt and blind all on it.
Me as a D/D thief : Gap closer = steal (frequency depends on trickery), blind: CiS (now in grandmaster), interrupt: sleight of hand, only availlable via trickery.
A D/P thief usually doesn’t stay melee, a D/D thief has to. So, we need reliable condi clear which has been nerfed in June.
D/P now does more damage than D/D since June as the combo of a D/P thief is usually smoke field, heartseeker, shadowshot (which does more damage than CnD which is hard to land and puts the thief into the AoE range of the enemy)

So, if all traits are balanced around D/P which is the set with the most utility thief has got (staff aside) – then lets nerf D/P so the other weapon sets have got a chance.

You ask for a buff to DD, you don’t call for a nerf on DP especially when it’s not overpowered. They can and should buff staff and DD as that’s their job but I just…

Did you really call for a self nerf?

Anyone who thinks this doesn’t kill earth line doesn’t play ele. 1 Condi per second over 75% means you’re Condi bombed and under 60% now in 3 seconds max. Time to make a new build, or a Rev.

Sigil of energy nerf severely harms shatter Mesmer, a glass cannon losing clone generation seems an odd fix if you want faster matches…. Explain?

ronpierce.2760:

Aidenwolf.5964:

I paid for Durability. I’d like a free select on the new ones or a refund.

They already said both of those things happen.

Deleted when I saw it. Good catch.

Xillllix.3485:

Sure let’s remove 2 of the most used amulet without any beta testing. Great idea.

I’m out. Peace. See you in some other game.

QFT. It’s the gear not the builds causing this mess is I guess what the message is.

Washburn.3876:

Thank you so much for this!

What do you mean by overhauled? Will the playstyles drastically change or just the numbers? What i hated most about WOW is that the playstyles completely changed and made certain classes that were truly enjoyable boring and practically unplayable.

Balance is broken currently so numbers will certainly shift but one of the Elemantalist traits is being redone, this will only really effect PvP. I adore my Engineer as he can handle any situation but if thieves get buffed a bit they’re the most fun for me.

Also keep in mind that ascended gear can be moved from toon to toon so my Engi and Thief and Ranger share gear and weapons, as do my Ele, Mesmer and Necro.

Engineeers might suit your requirements. With kits you can change your attack style whenever you want. As for fun, that’s subjective but I have them all and here are mine in descending order of “fun”. There are ties at 1 and 2 because I can’t be bothered to pick a winner, they’re equal in terms of fun. With a good patch to the broken balance thief goes straight to the top. Ranger which is my actual main loses fun points because Druid isn’t perfect and the classes above it on my list are better. Thief is about to be overhauled as are many classes so this could change.

1. Elemantalist / Engineer
2. Thief / Mesmer
3. Ranger

If you PvP then it’s a must have, as elites are far better than vanilla specs.

If you WvW lol just kidding that’s dead.

If you enjoy Dry Top and SW meta farming then you might enjoy HoT.

If you like GW2 but not DT and SW then I’d say no.

Ross Biddle.2367:

Aktium.9506:

So you think Mesmer is fine in its current state where it causes a meta that forces matches where neither team can even gain any points at all for up to several minutes? A class and build that causes teams to rage quit from tournaments with actual prizes? Or the fact that Well of Precog utterly breaks Stronghold mechanics?

Yeah no, Mesmer isn’t fine. There’s a bunch of things wrong with PvP at the moment and Mesmer has plunked its bottom down at the top of the list.

Top of the list? No. But yes, res mechanics were broken (not Chrono’s fault), Chrono bunker is a tough nut (but hardly the toughest), and the problems in PvP are many.

Top of the list is Bunker Tempest, hands down.

Hooray for everything getting getting nerfed!

Oh and Ithilwen, now is not the time to say you were finally getting success on Mesmer after 4 years, even if it is true. -_-u

Kitten no. Bunker Mesmer has the survivability of a tempest plus alacrity and slow which are God mode in team fights. Auras, especially shocking aura are kitten good but insta rezzing is OP to the point of being broken.

cthaeh.2168:

Aidenwolf.5964:

Going Free To Play devalued my purchase to zero

No it didn’t.

Aidenwolf.5964:

I have every right to have a problem with that.

No you don’t. Read 4.C of the User Agreement.

Aidenwolf.5964:

Expansion drops and more gem store items have been released than were added to the game with the xpac.

No they haven’t. Your statement is empirically false.

Aidenwolf.5964:

They have only released 3 legendary weapons but had gem skins ready to go, that’s interfering.

No it isn’t. I’m sure the amount of time to create just the skin itself is comparable, but the systems for obtaining legendary weapons are vastly more complex than those for BLTC skins.

Well since you say so…..

I bought a Buy To Play game, fact.
That game is now Free To Play, fact.
HoT removed systems from core, fact.
I paid the same price for HoT as a new player, fact.
HoT broke WvW, fact.
HoT broke PvP balance, fact.

And yes, I have every right to be upset, fact.

vlad.4871:

Aidenwolf.5964:

Unless you’re willing to nerf Revenants there is no hope for balance. If you nerf Ele one of the few actual anti classes to the Revs without touching Revs the new meta will be 5 Revenants.

Your elite specs should not be more poweful than a base spec but that ship has sailed.

Create an anti bunker spec and teams will stop running 4 or 5 bunkers. Thieves have the mobility to be anti bunkers and 2v1 across the map, give them the tools to lock down a bunker and steal their lunch money. No bunker should be able to hold a point 2v1 if an anti bunker is on them. Add mechanics to steal to reduce the effectiveness of the bunker builds say a “cracked armor” mechanic, not able to 1v1 a bunker but able to 2v1 one.

so why the teefs should have anti bunker spec?

Thieves are the class in desperate need of buffs, the only one, so they’re the class I chose to illustrate with.

The anti bunker would have to be glass or they would be even more OP than bunkers they were created to kill. Steal would make sense design wise as it has a decent CD.

Unless you’re willing to nerf Revenants there is no hope for balance. If you nerf Ele one of the few actual anti classes to the Revs without touching Revs the new meta will be 5 Revenants.

Your elite specs should not be more poweful than a base spec but that ship has sailed.

Create an anti bunker spec and teams will stop running 4 or 5 bunkers. Thieves have the mobility to be anti bunkers and 2v1 across the map, give them the tools to lock down a bunker and steal their lunch money. No bunker should be able to hold a point 2v1 if an anti bunker is on them. Add mechanics to steal to reduce the effectiveness of the bunker builds say a “cracked armor” mechanic, not able to 1v1 a bunker but able to 2v1 one.

Just a flesh wound.3589:

Aidenwolf.5964:

Raziel.4216:

Aidenwolf.5964:

Raziel.4216:

Aidenwolf.5964:

vesica tempestas.1563:

Aidenwolf.5964:

Mortifer.2946:

Xillllix.3485:

Aidenwolf.5964:

At the moment I wouldn’t consider it at all, and I will never pre purchase from them again. The fact they even mention another xpac at this point makes me ill.

Yeah I know, my first thought was “well aren’t you gonna finish hoT first?” I mean they haven’t even released 25% of the new legendaries, WvW is a mess, only 1 Stronghold map released… Not even gonna mention raids…

Creating expansion takes years. They started working on HoT right after the main game release. You know, company like ArenaNet has many teams and each works on something else. From what I have read about the balance between regular updates and expansions, I understand that we should expect new story update every 4-6 weeks and that way we can go kill another dragon in 2 years instead of 3. I think that is nice….

On launch they clearly had the story for HoT done (see COE) and I believe they planned on a GW1 model of expansions but they tried living story since gem sales took off after launch. They did not start building this expansion until a year ago, believe what you will. The super secret WvW plan that’s been in development for over a year? Is a smoke screen to cover their failure with HoT where WvW is concerned.

They want to return to a GW1 style of expansion? Fine, but they need to kill the gem store model first because I won’t buy xpacs for a Free To Play cash shop game.

Peace.

1 We know fine well that Anet planned for living story instead of expansions and the reason for HOT is they realised there was huge demand for an expansion and that people were unhappy with living story in the main.

2 Its Gems instead of paying $15 a month for a sub, and expansions instead of living story. Its really not that difficult to understand is it?

I don’t know when you bought the game but when I and many others did the gem shop wasn’t supposed to intrude into the game, in fact it was promised that it wouldn’t. If you’re new here welcome but don’t revise history for someone who was here for it.

Gems were defended when LS was the model but they’ve gone with the expansion model again so yes I expect them to change. I hated how gem store driven Anet went post launch, I’ve disliked it all along. I hate that they turned my B2P game into a Free To Play game. I am disappointed with the expansion as it’s meta event not open world content. I hate the state of WvW and PvP balance.

I understand you disagree but I own a BTP expansion of a now FTP game and if they want my money again things will have to change, understand?

How does gem shop intrude into the game?
Are there special boosters unobtainable elsewhere?
Special Gear?
Some awesome pvp pots?
Is it necessary to be able to play end-game?
I don’t see any, they kept their word. I may not like how frequent gem shop updates are compared to the rest, but that doesn’t mean it suddenly “intrudes” into the game.
Game being free to play increased sales and it’s one of the best ways to sell a product, feel free to take your money elsewhere.

Mind your tone. I’m a paying customer I need permission from no one. Going Free To Play devalued my purchase to zero, I have every right to have a problem with that.

Expansion drops and more gem store items have been released than were added to the game with the xpac.

They have only released 3 legendary weapons but had gem skins ready to go, that’s interfering.

Right back at you, your post suggests that letting a crapton of people try the game for free is somehow bad for it.
Going free to play did not invalidate my 3+ years of fun, but it somehow invalidated yours, like I said, feel free to take your money elsewhere.

P.D. Still waiting on those examples ’bout the GS “intruding” into the game.

Dungeon gold was nerfed and wasn’t replaced or moved to another part of the game and they said they would. Gold generation being nerfed was absolutely about gold to gems. Thanks for the interaction try a softer target

They added shiny baubles worth 30 silver each to a number of maps as a reward for doing events. This means that one group of people aren’t getting the large amounts of gold per day but a large number of people are getting the smaller amount of income. All they had to do in have the drop rate of the shiny baubles match the total gold income from dungeon runners to make the two equal.

You’re right that the aggregate can be matched across the player base but removing that one group’s ability to amass gold and distributing it broadly affects gold to gems. Previously if I’d wanted gold not taxed TP mats but gold to buy gems I could spam dungeons. With the nerf Anet made this much more difficult. Why? Gold is the only currency other than RMT that can buy gems. Anet didn’t even bother adding a dungeon in this xpac, I wonder why.

Raziel.4216:

Aidenwolf.5964:

Raziel.4216:

Aidenwolf.5964:

vesica tempestas.1563:

Aidenwolf.5964:

Mortifer.2946:

Xillllix.3485:

Aidenwolf.5964:

At the moment I wouldn’t consider it at all, and I will never pre purchase from them again. The fact they even mention another xpac at this point makes me ill.

Yeah I know, my first thought was “well aren’t you gonna finish hoT first?” I mean they haven’t even released 25% of the new legendaries, WvW is a mess, only 1 Stronghold map released… Not even gonna mention raids…

Creating expansion takes years. They started working on HoT right after the main game release. You know, company like ArenaNet has many teams and each works on something else. From what I have read about the balance between regular updates and expansions, I understand that we should expect new story update every 4-6 weeks and that way we can go kill another dragon in 2 years instead of 3. I think that is nice….

On launch they clearly had the story for HoT done (see COE) and I believe they planned on a GW1 model of expansions but they tried living story since gem sales took off after launch. They did not start building this expansion until a year ago, believe what you will. The super secret WvW plan that’s been in development for over a year? Is a smoke screen to cover their failure with HoT where WvW is concerned.

They want to return to a GW1 style of expansion? Fine, but they need to kill the gem store model first because I won’t buy xpacs for a Free To Play cash shop game.

Peace.

1 We know fine well that Anet planned for living story instead of expansions and the reason for HOT is they realised there was huge demand for an expansion and that people were unhappy with living story in the main.

2 Its Gems instead of paying $15 a month for a sub, and expansions instead of living story. Its really not that difficult to understand is it?

I don’t know when you bought the game but when I and many others did the gem shop wasn’t supposed to intrude into the game, in fact it was promised that it wouldn’t. If you’re new here welcome but don’t revise history for someone who was here for it.

Gems were defended when LS was the model but they’ve gone with the expansion model again so yes I expect them to change. I hated how gem store driven Anet went post launch, I’ve disliked it all along. I hate that they turned my B2P game into a Free To Play game. I am disappointed with the expansion as it’s meta event not open world content. I hate the state of WvW and PvP balance.

I understand you disagree but I own a BTP expansion of a now FTP game and if they want my money again things will have to change, understand?

How does gem shop intrude into the game?
Are there special boosters unobtainable elsewhere?
Special Gear?
Some awesome pvp pots?
Is it necessary to be able to play end-game?
I don’t see any, they kept their word. I may not like how frequent gem shop updates are compared to the rest, but that doesn’t mean it suddenly “intrudes” into the game.
Game being free to play increased sales and it’s one of the best ways to sell a product, feel free to take your money elsewhere.

Mind your tone. I’m a paying customer I need permission from no one. Going Free To Play devalued my purchase to zero, I have every right to have a problem with that.

Expansion drops and more gem store items have been released than were added to the game with the xpac.

They have only released 3 legendary weapons but had gem skins ready to go, that’s interfering.

Right back at you, your post suggests that letting a crapton of people try the game for free is somehow bad for it.
Going free to play did not invalidate my 3+ years of fun, but it somehow invalidated yours, like I said, feel free to take your money elsewhere.

P.D. Still waiting on those examples ’bout the GS “intruding” into the game.

Dungeon gold was nerfed and wasn’t replaced or moved to another part of the game and they said they would. Gold generation being nerfed was absolutely about gold to gems. Thanks for the interaction try a softer target

Raziel.4216:

Aidenwolf.5964:

vesica tempestas.1563:

Aidenwolf.5964:

Mortifer.2946:

Xillllix.3485:

Aidenwolf.5964:

At the moment I wouldn’t consider it at all, and I will never pre purchase from them again. The fact they even mention another xpac at this point makes me ill.

Yeah I know, my first thought was “well aren’t you gonna finish hoT first?” I mean they haven’t even released 25% of the new legendaries, WvW is a mess, only 1 Stronghold map released… Not even gonna mention raids…

Creating expansion takes years. They started working on HoT right after the main game release. You know, company like ArenaNet has many teams and each works on something else. From what I have read about the balance between regular updates and expansions, I understand that we should expect new story update every 4-6 weeks and that way we can go kill another dragon in 2 years instead of 3. I think that is nice….

On launch they clearly had the story for HoT done (see COE) and I believe they planned on a GW1 model of expansions but they tried living story since gem sales took off after launch. They did not start building this expansion until a year ago, believe what you will. The super secret WvW plan that’s been in development for over a year? Is a smoke screen to cover their failure with HoT where WvW is concerned.

They want to return to a GW1 style of expansion? Fine, but they need to kill the gem store model first because I won’t buy xpacs for a Free To Play cash shop game.

Peace.

1 We know fine well that Anet planned for living story instead of expansions and the reason for HOT is they realised there was huge demand for an expansion and that people were unhappy with living story in the main.

2 Its Gems instead of paying $15 a month for a sub, and expansions instead of living story. Its really not that difficult to understand is it?

I don’t know when you bought the game but when I and many others did the gem shop wasn’t supposed to intrude into the game, in fact it was promised that it wouldn’t. If you’re new here welcome but don’t revise history for someone who was here for it.

Gems were defended when LS was the model but they’ve gone with the expansion model again so yes I expect them to change. I hated how gem store driven Anet went post launch, I’ve disliked it all along. I hate that they turned my B2P game into a Free To Play game. I am disappointed with the expansion as it’s meta event not open world content. I hate the state of WvW and PvP balance.

I understand you disagree but I own a BTP expansion of a now FTP game and if they want my money again things will have to change, understand?

How does gem shop intrude into the game?
Are there special boosters unobtainable elsewhere?
Special Gear?
Some awesome pvp pots?
Is it necessary to be able to play end-game?
I don’t see any, they kept their word. I may not like how frequent gem shop updates are compared to the rest, but that doesn’t mean it suddenly “intrudes” into the game.
Game being free to play increased sales and it’s one of the best ways to sell a product, feel free to take your money elsewhere.

Mind your tone. I’m a paying customer I need permission from no one. Going Free To Play devalued my purchase to zero, I have every right to have a problem with that.

Expansion drops and more gem store items have been released than were added to the game with the xpac.

They have only released 3 legendary weapons but had gem skins ready to go, that’s interfering.

Immune over 90% health was never a problem until these scrubs min / maxed in PvP and Condi builds stopped bringing burst to crack DS.

So QQ gets diamond skin nerfed but Rev is juuuust getting a “keeping an eye on”. Bring back turrets for engineers they were fun.

vesica tempestas.1563:

Aidenwolf.5964:

Mortifer.2946:

Xillllix.3485:

Aidenwolf.5964:

At the moment I wouldn’t consider it at all, and I will never pre purchase from them again. The fact they even mention another xpac at this point makes me ill.

Yeah I know, my first thought was “well aren’t you gonna finish hoT first?” I mean they haven’t even released 25% of the new legendaries, WvW is a mess, only 1 Stronghold map released… Not even gonna mention raids…

Creating expansion takes years. They started working on HoT right after the main game release. You know, company like ArenaNet has many teams and each works on something else. From what I have read about the balance between regular updates and expansions, I understand that we should expect new story update every 4-6 weeks and that way we can go kill another dragon in 2 years instead of 3. I think that is nice….

On launch they clearly had the story for HoT done (see COE) and I believe they planned on a GW1 model of expansions but they tried living story since gem sales took off after launch. They did not start building this expansion until a year ago, believe what you will. The super secret WvW plan that’s been in development for over a year? Is a smoke screen to cover their failure with HoT where WvW is concerned.

They want to return to a GW1 style of expansion? Fine, but they need to kill the gem store model first because I won’t buy xpacs for a Free To Play cash shop game.

Peace.

1 We know fine well that Anet planned for living story instead of expansions and the reason for HOT is they realised there was huge demand for an expansion and that people were unhappy with living story in the main.

2 Its Gems instead of paying $15 a month for a sub, and expansions instead of living story. Its really not that difficult to understand is it?

I don’t know when you bought the game but when I and many others did the gem shop wasn’t supposed to intrude into the game, in fact it was promised that it wouldn’t. If you’re new here welcome but don’t revise history for someone who was here for it.

Gems were defended when LS was the model but they’ve gone with the expansion model again so yes I expect them to change. I hated how gem store driven Anet went post launch, I’ve disliked it all along. I hate that they turned my B2P game into a Free To Play game. I am disappointed with the expansion as it’s meta event not open world content. I hate the state of WvW and PvP balance.

I understand you disagree but I own a BTP expansion of a now FTP game and if they want my money again things will have to change, understand?

Mortifer.2946:

Xillllix.3485:

Aidenwolf.5964:

At the moment I wouldn’t consider it at all, and I will never pre purchase from them again. The fact they even mention another xpac at this point makes me ill.

Yeah I know, my first thought was “well aren’t you gonna finish hoT first?” I mean they haven’t even released 25% of the new legendaries, WvW is a mess, only 1 Stronghold map released… Not even gonna mention raids…

Creating expansion takes years. They started working on HoT right after the main game release. You know, company like ArenaNet has many teams and each works on something else. From what I have read about the balance between regular updates and expansions, I understand that we should expect new story update every 4-6 weeks and that way we can go kill another dragon in 2 years instead of 3. I think that is nice….

On launch they clearly had the story for HoT done (see COE) and I believe they planned on a GW1 model of expansions but they tried living story since gem sales took off after launch. They did not start building this expansion until a year ago, believe what you will. The super secret WvW plan that’s been in development for over a year? Is a smoke screen to cover their failure with HoT where WvW is concerned.

They want to return to a GW1 style of expansion? Fine, but they need to kill the gem store model first because I won’t buy xpacs for a Free To Play cash shop game.

Peace.

IndigoSundown.5419:

Humphrey Bear.2698:

Just like to think what every thinks about this topic now that HoT has been out for a few months now

I think this…

Windsagio.1340:

@Vayne, it does serve a purpose, it paints the setup in a negative moral light.

Accusations of pay-to-win over anything a poster doesn’t care for that cost money are a bald attempt to generate agreement and/or shame a developer by invoking a buzz-word, in this case an extremely loaded term that reeks of derision and scorn.

Except for one point… In PvP and WvW where balance matters, the OP isn’t wrong. Elite specs are without question more powerful than base specs. More power behind a pay wall is what P2W means.

I think this thread is a bit over the top but balance is broken atm so have at it.

MiniEquine.6014:

Neox.3497:

MiniEquine.6014:

Neox.3497:

Ralanost.8913:

Box sales and expansions don’t count as content is tied to them as well. If you are able to strictly buy power over other players, that is pay to win.

So if the power is in a box sale or expansion how is that not pay to win?

Because Pay2Win is being able to repeatedly purchase power with real cash, where you outspending other players means that you have an objectively better starting point than them. You cannot spend any more money on an expansion than anybody else, and even if you can, then it is for vanity items or extra bag slots, both of which have no effect on any game mode. You cannot outspend other players with an expansion. Therefore it is Buy2Play.

But you can “play” without buying the expansion. How is it buy 2 play?

How is what Buy2Play? You can’t play the expansion content without buying the expansion. You can’t play the base game without buying the base game.

Base game was given away it’s free to play. The expansion is Buy To Play (for now).

Ayrilana.1396:

morrolan.9608:

Aidenwolf.5964:

They can plan another xpac all they like. I wish them luck but they won’t get a sale from my household. I don’t even go into HoT maps.

At this stage my feedback to anet is the same, I won’t be buying another xpac.

Ever?

At the moment I wouldn’t consider it at all, and I will never pre purchase from them again. The fact they even mention another xpac at this point makes me ill.

Is your character a Norn? Smaller characters “feel” faster.

If the “archer” is a druid then yes he’s faster than you, it’s a trait.

Thieves are the Usain Bolts of GW2. If you’re not a thief you’ll always feel slow next to one. If the thief is a daredevil, dodge can be swapped for a leap or a very good movement skill (though the later isn’t really for PvP).

vesica tempestas.1563:

“They can plan another xpac all they like. I wish them luck but they won’t get a sale from my household. I don’t even go into HoT maps.”

So if the xpac turns out to be right down your street your not going to buy it? over dramatic nonsense.

Quote me correctly and I’ll respond faster. Nothing dramatic in there at all, I haven’t set foot in a HoT map since mid December and that was only raids which I’ve stopped doing. I’ll do what I want with my time and money. Don’t like it? Don’t care.

vesica tempestas.1563:

I hope its locked behind an epic journey of adventures and puzzles, nothing is fun if you just get it handed to you like your a 5 year old self entitled child. Long term goals with a real reward that is not +x power is a rare and good thing.

This post and ones like it are why HoT happened. Bought the game? Good, now go grind like a robot to unlock something. I don’t care about gliding in Tyria one way or the other but I’m fed up hearing players call other players entitled. You sound bitter, I’m over this.

Also it’s you’re not your. Just like this is our not your game.

Just a flesh wound.3589:

Any of you people who think ANet is reading this thread and reconsidering their policy of having crazy grind and requirements for special holiday items is living in a fantasy world, and it’s not Tyria.

Gwynefyrrdd says HI!

The drop rate from Trick-or-Treat Bags is estimated to be around 0.0005%; this is roughly equivalent to 1 Mini Gwynefyrdd for every 200,000 bags opened.

Gaile Gray.6029:

(Snip)
One of our statisticians just checked the drop rate, and there is no error in the drop rate — it truly is dropping as designed.
(Snip)

ANet wants this sort of grind/requirement. They’ve been doing it since Guild Wars 1 with the Mini Polar Bear. They truly want these items to be restricted to only a few.

You can complain, but their history says that they aren’t going to reconsider.

I got Gwynefyrdd as a drop which was pretty cool but since I was after the Tonic it still wasn’t satisfying. Crazy right?

Sanguinar.3517:

Aidenwolf.5964:

Sanguinar.3517:

Aidenwolf.5964:

They don’t have them. You can infuse an ascended backpiece though giving you 2 infusion slots. The stats on ascended backpieces are slightly better than an 80 exo with an upgrade item. It’s the infusions that make them special.

So if I don’t run fractals then those slots are useless to me pretty much?

Pretty much, although they are the BIS.

Are you talking about the base stats on the back item being BIS?

Yes they are.

Xirus.9675:

Don’t you just love how many people claim that their subjective opinions are objective and that the entire game should be completely changed because “a lot of people agree” these days?

That’s exactly what happened pre HoT the devs listened to one group and alienated the rest of the players. Whether or not they are panicking who can say but I did see gliding in core Tyria today which they said wouldn’t happen.

I once saw a man jump a shark.

Midi.8359:

According to the recent Dev thread. Season 2 will rank groups by highest division. Meaning if one Diamond queues up with four Ambers. They’ll be facing five Diamonds.

Considering how groups are already weighed in with the current system. I don’t see how the solo queue experience needs additional rewards for queue’ing up as an individual.

Not added rewards…. Protection. Solo Q needs to not be matched against premades. It’s common sense and used to be in game.

Sanguinar.3517:

Aidenwolf.5964:

They don’t have them. You can infuse an ascended backpiece though giving you 2 infusion slots. The stats on ascended backpieces are slightly better than an 80 exo with an upgrade item. It’s the infusions that make them special.

So if I don’t run fractals then those slots are useless to me pretty much?

Pretty much, although they are the BIS.

They don’t have them. You can infuse an ascended backpiece though giving you 2 infusion slots. The stats on ascended backpieces are slightly better than an 80 exo with an upgrade item. It’s the infusions that make them special.

I just completed Winter’s Presence without buying a single drink from the TP. I wanted to see if it could be done using only the karma I made from the JP and the meta and the gifts from the bugged JP. I wanted the skin but didn’t want to buy it so I grinded it…..

I like the skin it’s very cool looking but asking players to pull these feats off during a holiday isn’t very GW in my opinion. Today I did the final 1,500 drinks…. Fifteen hundred. This skin could’ve required 1,500 total. This burnt me out. Maybe you needed player hours up during the holidays, maybe you are combining the JP playtime with PvP to fool yourselves into thinking players love the tournament, who knows.

It’s time for me to turn off GW2 for a bit, (I’m not quitting) I need a break. In the future try to remember why many of us bought this game.

I do like the skin kudos to the design team.

Morfedel.4165:

Aidenwolf.5964:

They can plan another xpac all they like. I wish them luck but they won’t get a sale from my household. I don’t even go into HoT maps.

Do you still play?

I’m spamming the Grind Fest finishing winter’s presence right now, then I’m taking a break. The game moved away from what I played it for.

They can plan another xpac all they like. I wish them luck but they won’t get a sale from my household. I don’t even go into HoT maps.

Never had a precursor drop. This game’s RNG is soul crushing I advise not expecting anything ever. They added these meta grinds to move away from it since they can’t get it to work but I skip those too.

Fox.3469:

I know Stacy, i’ve played with her and helped with some of their videos. Only met her brother at the actual videos. From what i’m getting he did something stupid and she’s being punished for it.

She is one of the most friendly and warm people i know in GW2. Go hate me all you want but i think botters deserve to be banned, and Zack clearly realised he kittened up now. His sister however is guilty by association? I don’t agree with that.

Anet mentioned one violation that doesn’t mean they don’t have more ammo. She swears she did nothing wrong, so did he though, until evidence was shown.

They have made mistakes before but given those two are somewhat known I believe they made sure first then banned.

Just a flesh wound.3589:

Aidenwolf.5964:

Just a flesh wound.3589:

Aidenwolf.5964:

Neural.1824:

Chris Cleary.8017:

Does this mean that if someone botted they get to keep everything?
Absolutely not, in most cases we are attempting to remove what we can before the player returns. However, there are just going to be some things we can’t remove.

“just going to be some things that we can’t remove”.

If this was a ban wave for the winters day jumping puzzle, that means that each of the banned accounts would have a total of around 20 items specifically that would need removal (that is if they were opening the gift loot at all). Most probably weren’t doing that, so there is only 1 item that needs to be removed from the accounts.
Your choice of words in this simple case tells me there’s going to be a solid spike of activity in Wintersday Present trading come early June.

Back on topic this is a very important question, what can’t be removed?

@Vayne thanks.

I doubt they can remove achievement points and titles earned while botting/hacking.

Which would include the skin.

If the skin is in the wardrobe it probably can’t be removed without rolling back the account. Same would be for any progress on how many alcohol used or if they got the JP achievement. Physical items and wealth can be removed. I have doubts about their ability to remove progress or items now inside the UI, such as the wardrobe, without an account rollback.

Ya just edited mine before you posted. That’s a shame as I’ve broken fingers going after mine.