Guild Wars 2

Yeah, after 9 months I’m jaded. I haven’t watched the IGN thing, but my experience has been that ArenaNet tends to be very stingy with rewards and loot. I’ve had a lot of patches where I got excited about this reward or that only to discover that the rewards were not what I expected. The most recent being the WvW chests.

There are lots of reasons why a precusor probably isn’t on the table. The most important one being that precursors are the final gate to getting a legendary, and obtaining legendary is what is suppose to keep people logging in month after month. Therefore, IMO anything that reduces the time it take to get the skin decreases the amount of time people will spend playing the game.

No. The reward will not be a precursor.

ArenaNet is not going to do an about face on the rewards front. This game has consistently been very very reluctant to grant valuable rewards.

If you expect them to change direction and start handing out precursors you are only setting yourself up for disappointment. Expect a chest that gives you (at most) a rare, and most likely masterwork gear or a couple of silver at different thresholds.

I can think of a couple of things.

1. Reduce the effect of the minor trait to 10%, leave it where it is, reduce the cooldown of clone traits by 10% see what happens..
2. Same as above but move IC to grandmaster.
3. Reduce the cooldown of clone traits by 20% replace IC with something completely new, maybe make compounding celerity (as it was) the minor trait.

Edit: The main problem I have with what they did is that if requires a determination that 1. Shatter builds are fine and 2. Every other build needs a nerf.

Seems wrong.

On my first run I did queensdale, kessex hills, gendarran fields, hitathi hinterlands, bloodtide coast, sparkle fly fen, mt maelstrom, straights of devestaton, malchor’s leap, and then cursed shore.

When I encountered the Sylvari, Asura, Norn, and Char areas later I had had very little exposure to them, so they seemed new and exciting.

Mad Rasputin.7809:

For those that say doing content more ‘level appropriate’ is the most fun, you have to realize that you will eventually need to do the other 4 starter zones (Map level 1-15).

Personally, I’d rather do all the level 1-15 zones while I am still lower in levels then having to come back at level 80 and clear these zones. Based on your responses, this would be more fun this way.

But either moving on to another 1-15 zone or moving up to a 15-25 zone you will be fine. Whichever brings you the most enjoyment.

And thanks for that info Mercury. It’s been a while, so I forgot about the PVP tutorial isle. But this trick is really handy once players move past it to say cost on Waypoints which will get expensive at higher levels.

Only if you want to get world exploration. I have never done all 1-15 zones on any of my toons. I guess the question is for a first time player, how would you like to do it.

Generally, I followed the story and did the zones in that order, and I was very happy with the story (up to a point)

But I can see the benefit to power leveling a little bit at the beginning. There are lulls in the leveling where you’ve finished the level appropriate zone for your path, and aren’t yet ready to move to the next area or story mission.

On my most recent toon, I finished Queensdale at level 12, but got slaughtered in kessex hills. So I went to the plains of ashford for a while, but I don’t think the OP is there yet.

That’s when I would move to a new starter area.

@Chaos Archangel

You did fine, it was very entertaining, which is the point.

1. PvE is too easy.
2. WvW is too zergy.
3. PvP is too whiney.

But to continue in the same region, go to the waypoint in the Godslost swamp and head south though the circular portal thing. (I think it’s Swamplost Haven Waypoint)

This will take you to Kessex Hills. Do the heart here and head east.

To comment further, I disagree with the other posts who recommend checking out other 1-15 areas. You’re already ready for the next zone (maybe a little underleveled). The way experience works in the game, I think it’s more efficient to do content at your correct level. Plus it makes the story feel more natural.

I agree that dailies and monthlies are both flawed.

However, even if monthlies can be achieved in twelve hours if you work toward it, they may not be achieved until late in the month if you “just play the game.”

If you believe that you should have to work toward a monthly, then the current design is terrible because they aren’t challenging, they are tedious. Increasing the effort required to complete the monthly won’t cure that. I could barely stand the dragon festival grind, I don’t think I could take it if they increased the number of times I have to repeat a task to get my monthly.

If you believe that monthlies should just happen during normal game play, then they are fine as they are (that is, they can be successfully achieved without paying attention to them). I usually have some random monthly achievement pop up near the end of the month.

ANet is really good (or bad depending on your point of view) of making vague statements that everyone interprets one way, but actually doesn’t mean that at all.

This statement is a perfect example. At the time everyone assumed that you would get laurels for achievement points, but they never said anything of the sort. Currently I believe (without basis) you will get a “reward chest” every 1000 achievement points.

Edit: FWIW, I don’t think it’s good that they do this at all. It mollifies people at the time only to disappoint them later.

coyboy.8591:

Serraphin Storm.2369:

Just as the first sb nerf, It’s the best thing for the class. The ranger class made great progress after the sb nerf. Yes the short bow is use alot by rangers. In fact it’s over used. It really made no sense for a long bow and the sb to have the same distance it’s inherent in thier names. The short bow has been given a range reduction but a boost in damage.

Ranger are still able to kill at range in fact they can kill faster now. If you were using the short bow at a range of 1000 + you were doing less damage then if you used the Lb.

Rangers have been given a bad name because they auto attack to win. It isnt the most effective use of the class and just plan lazy. Now you are force to really consider your weapons option. It’s best for the class as a whole.

We made great builts after the first sb nerf and I am sure we will make even more with this nerf/buff.

Rangers are still unparalled archers more so now than ever.

That doesn’t really answer the post, it is true that a long bow does a lot more damage further away but I can’t see how it’s relevant to the Rangers sb range.

Also the notion that Rangers auto attack to win just seems silly, you could say that about a number of different classes on the game such as Engineers, Memers, Elementist’s, Necromancers etc. Every time I’m on wvw or spvp I use my weapon skill effectively, I switch weapons when I see the right opportunity to use my secondary weapon effectively.

Also rangers have skills/traits which effect there evasion forcing the player to time his skills just right in order to evade the opponent. So I can’t really see how there a lazy class to play as :/

If rangers do autoattack to win, I think it says as much about the shortbow 2-5 as it does about the shortbow 1.

Also, since when did “unparalleled” get redefined to mean “can pick up both long and short bows”.

You hit the nail on the head. It’s to balance sPvP. To the best of my knowledge, no one else has ever complained (without just trolling) that Rangers are overpowered since the beta.

Also, people will say that Ranger doesn’t mean they use ranged weapons but instead that they roam around. As if archery doesn’t matter to the class. However, the official site disagrees

“Rangers rely on a keen eye, a steady hand, and the power of nature itself. Unparalleled archers, rangers are capable of bringing down foes from a distance with their bows. With traps, nature spirits, and a stable of loyal pets at their command, rangers can adapt to any situation.” (https://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/ranger/)

So in my mind, anyone who says Rangers aren’t suppose to be “unparallel archers” is an ANet apologist.

Check this out https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Lazy-Kai-s-Guide-to-PvE-Leveling-Guide-Update

Thanks for all the input. I’ll guest around on each of the servers you recommended. Too bad I can’t check out the WvW without transfering. Cause, you know, I may be a spy.

That patch hasn’t been out that long, isn’t a little early to decide that the meta is broken and necros are OP? It may be something new that you aren’t use to dealing with.

Give it a couple of weeks and see if some clever people don’t figure it out. Then we can all copy them.

Vayne.8563:

SpyderArachnid.5619:

Vayne.8563:

Erasculio.2914:

Vayne.8563:

For example, I think most people who like instances in most MMOs would probably have enjoyed Fissure of Woe, The Underworld, Domain of Anguish, The Deep, Urgoz’s Warren and Slaver’s Exile.

They wouldn’t.

The goal of “instances in most MMOs” (aka raids) is to get more powerful gear. None of your examples provides more powerful gear. Ergo, raiders would have hated them.

In fact, adding raids to Guild Wars 2 without giving them more powerful gear would only make raiders complain about how they wouldn’t be properly rewarded for their “work”.

Although I’m sure ArenaNet knows about this. I will be surprised if the GW2 “raids” aren’t when we will see the introduction of Ascended weapons and armors.

I’d be pretty surprised if Anet didn’t have ways outside of raids to get ascended weapons and armor.

Wait, why would you be surprised?

They have always gated Ascended gear. So why would this be any different if they add it to raids only?

When Ascended gear first came out, you could only get rings and a backpack. Rings were only Fractals and Backpack was only Mystic Forge (Rings are now available via Laurels as well). Then amulets came, and they were only Laurels. Then Trinkets came, and they are only Guild Missions and Laurels.

Ascended gear has always been gated. This would be no different.

After the initial Fractals only release, which Anet admitted was a mistake, they gave people ways to get ascended gear that pretty much EVERYONE could get. Yes, you can only get Amulets from dailies, but getting 30 dailies is not the same thing is raiding.

You’re comparing time gating with skill gating. No one can raid solo and I don’t think Anet will abandon their solo player base, which is larger than most people think.

The thing that concerns me is that raiding may be the only practical way to get that gear (if it’s actually coming which is still supposition.)

For example, you can get ascended accessories without guild commendations, but it’s really not practical to do so.

Alternatively, if you have not crafted Cooking, that’s a great way to gain the levels really fast.

Look at
http://www.gw2crafts.net/cooking_fast.html

You can complete a map in about an hour, which should get you the rest of the way there. Try frostgorge sound, Fireheart rise, or mt maelstrom.

Teletric.1980:

If what you’re trying to say is that when we play WvW, people wear their standard PvP gear, then I support this idea.

That’s exactly what I was saying. Sorry if I wasn’t clear.

Hey, I’m considering a new server. I’d like one that has good fights but where the queues aren’t terribly long.

I have no interest in being in a high tier server, I just want a place where I can go into WvW and blow off a little steam.

I’m also more than a little frustrated with the current steam roll or be steam rolled balance that is T2.

Is there any server where WvW is at least a little active, but isn’t all zerging all the time?

Here we go again. I wonder if these matches will ever re-stabilize.

I know that some members of TC have been recruiting guilds to transfer to make it a T1 server, but it would be nice to have a more even match up.

Personally I don’t want a gear grind, but I understand that some people do. I think one possible solution is to make WvW a full PvP type environment where everyone is level 80 and can select their gear and runes in the same manner that is done for PvP.

This way, people who just want to play WvW can do so and people who want to grind out ascended gear (or whatever is coming next) in PvE can do so.

Guardians are awesome, but are definitely very much tank characters. But are also general support with boon generation (buffs to people around you). In WvW, the guardian is generally a front line fighter who leads the charge against the enemy, pushes through the enemy zerg. Here is a build that explains one play style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAg49ziVUqM

Elementalists can play a similar role, are are the best healers in the game (which really doesn’t say much, everyone is pretty much responsible for their own health.) Elementalists can play close up with D/D or more at range with Staff. But because you can’t swap weapons in combat you have to pick one or the other.
Staff Elementalist video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riNQA8NDfU4
Dagger / Dagger elementalist video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGhPRMbmdA0

See if any of these look interesting to you.

TheMightyAltroll.3485:

Penguin.5197:

More removal? There has already been a boat load of it since forever. Sure I can shoot bleed/poison/burning etc on you but after you remove it Its not like I can instantly reapply it all again, we have cooldowns too you know.

And to op, conditions havent changed for engie, why complain about them now? Seems to me people aren’t used to having necros be competitive.

Necromancers were viable, now they are OP.

I don’t think that’s true. Everything I’ve seen suggests that Necro’s were only viable if you build a whole team around them. Which too me is not really viable.

ilr.9675:

It’s like they’re playing a different game entirely

link for ppl who don’t want to hunt for it

They are playing a different game entirely.

The moves are the same, but the goals, objectives, and opponents are different. IMO five very organized opponents have very little in common with a semi-structured zerg of 50 or the PVE AI opponents.

There’s no good reason to do it. All you are doing is wasting ANet’s time. It’s not a violation to be AFK (AFAIK). Therefore, at most they will investigate, determine that the person is AFK and not do anything. If you do it enough, they may ban / suspend you for false reporting.

That said, I once reported someone that I thought was a bot with a faulty script, but now that I think about may have been AFK with an automatic action on a shout. I didn’t get banned.

To me, what seems really odd about the ranger is that appears that any build that crosses the “viable” threshold also crosses the “OP” threshold.

I haven’t been able to figure out why but I have two theories. The first is that because pets are not reliable, they don’t make an unviable build feel viable. That is, the extra damage for the pet fails too often, is too random. However, if you find a build that’s viable without the pet, then the random pet damage makes it OMG OP.

My second theory, is that the addition of the pet is much more significant in PvP than it is in WvW or PvE. Take a 5 on 5 match. The addition of the Ranger pet makes if more like 5 on 6. Therefore, if the Ranger is effective at all, it seems OP. For example, the pet is in the enemies face, while the Ranger is kiting. Suddenly your opponent has to deal with two threats instead of one.

I tried something very like this last night in WvW after the scepter fix.

I had a lot of trouble and didn’t feel like it had very much power. Most people seemed to shrug off the small amount of condition damage I was able to apply. But this may be a L2P issue.

Has anyone else tried this since the fix? I like the idea, but I haven’t been very effective. http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=VO;4VPV11z6sU-71;9;49O9-O4;019-4;348-awW8;2NX8aNX8aPtFqNAV7;3A-F0K1PYUZ_49eWPk4R06Rk06R;9;9;9;9;9;4V6s5q

You don’t have to delete your character to try something else, that’s why we have 5 character slots.

Also, the only thing that should drive how you play is fun. If you are having fun then great. If you are not having fun then try something else.

The idea that someone would be loyal to a class or game that is not fun is very odd to me.

My recommendation is that you don’t get your hopes up to high for the “revamp.”

History suggests that rewards are still going to be very skimpy. I would expect something like the WvW rewards chests, every so often (say 100, 500, or 1000 achievement points) you will receive a chest that will contain some gold and at least 1 piece of vendor tra… er… masterwork gear.

I don’t think they are going to start handing out laurels like candy, or even like $100 bills.

ProxyDamage.9826:

AntiGw.9367:

I prefer to sell the rares myself, but if you salvage them make sure you use either a Master’s, Mystic or Black Lion Salvage kits (Black Lion kits are sometimes given as daily rewards).

To elaborate on it, so long as the price of the rare is bellow the price of one ectoplasm it’s statistically more profitable to salvage. You can get between 0 (sucks, but can happen) to 3, and statistically, the average return rate is around 0,9 ectos per rare.

You do this with a Master’s kit always. Black Lion Salvage kits are too valuable for this and don’t offer a significant enough improvement in your salvaging. Save those for times when you absolutely have to guarantee you’ll salvage a sigil/rune from an item. Conversely, anything bellow Master’s Kit is too inefficient for the cost difference.

You can use the cheapest kits for normal salvaging though. Master’s is only mandatory for salvaging ectos.

General advice: First thing is to decide on a build. Read the forums for suggestions. Use a build calculator. Try it in heart of the mists. Whatever. I can send you a suggestion if you tell me what class you’re using, but ultimately it’s down to whatever you wanna do.

Once you decide on the build you want, start working on buying lvl 80 exotics. Don’t bother with rares. Go straight for exotics (and make sure they’re level 80!).

I recommend going straight for ascended with your amulet. Do dailies/monthlies/WvW and with that buy an ascended amulet straight up. Otherwise running dungeons and doing these events once a day are probably your best way to make money and earn gear.

Personally I also like doing the high level maps (Orr maps and Soundgorge, for example). They guarantee 2 exotics each. They’re usually not lvl 80, but you can usually sell them for some gold and it’s a nice way to get to know the maps and just… chill a bit and do some exploration I like.

Be sure to compare the value of the rune / sigil on the exotic from map completion to the price of the item. Often you can get more money by using a BLACK LION KIT <—- Very important everything else has a chance of destoying the rune / sigil to salvage the exotic, bank / sell any ectos and sell the sigil / rune directly.

You get 2 exotics from Mt. Maelstrom, Fireheart Rise, Frostgorge Sound, Cursed Shore, Machor’s Leap, and Straits of Devastation

I second the guardian. It’s probably one of the best all around classes ATM.

In PvE, it’s been Warrior, Guardian, or Mesmer as the most desired classes. But warriors aren’t as good in the PvP environments (either t/s PvP or WvW).

Mesmers have been very strong, but have been fairly substantially nerfed in the last patch, so it’s uncertain where the meta will fall out, although they will probably be fine.

Gaurdians are generally solid in each aspect of the game.

No. Once an item is soul bound it’s soulbound forever.

So the problem isn’t that torment is really more like muscle ache it’s that mesmers have too little access to it to make it worthwhile.

It’s very common on this forum that anyone who makes any suggestion to hange the game, that does not include nerfs to either thieves or mesmers, is beset upon and treated terribly.

I completely understand the OP’s point. The repetition can get boring.

To some people the suggestion that you don’t completely start over with each and every alt is an anathema. They feel that each alt is a distinct and different entity that needs to be nurtured from the beginning to the end. After all Susie SecondChair has never visited Fire Heart Rise.

On the other hand, I as a gamer have seen it all before. Everything from level 30 to level 80 is pure repetition. The first time I was underwater in the Bloodtide Coast I was in awe, it’s excellent artwork. The last time, I swam by as fast as I could.

If I want to run a new class in WvW I have to run through all of the content again, which while it may be fun for you is not fun for everyone.

Yes, i know that they up-level you, I also know that up-leveling doesn’t work very well and you get a huge target on your back as an easy kill.

on the other hand, exploring provides XP which speeds the leveling process. While I applaud the OP for trying to think of ways to improve the game, there are issues with this suggestion. I do, however, like the idea that waypoints you’ve already hit are opened up. This would help me because I won’t have to remember which character has which waypoints during guild missions.

This has nothing to do with double tapping accidentally. The sPvP people where complaining because it allowed for an “instant” pull without warning. The one second is to enable a guardian on point to pop stability or dodge.

I think it would have been better if they have reduced the cooldown on all of the clone traits by say… 10% and reduced the effectiveness of IC to 10%.

That way it wouldn’t a) be so powerful and b) really really hurt the non-shatter mesmers.

osif.8673:

TooBz.3065:

I really think that ANet didn’t think it through that far.

There was no conversation that started “Why aren’t more people running shatter builds.”

Instead, I think the discussion was “IC is too powerful to be an adept minor trait, let’s move it up a bunch”

The impact of that move was probably not completely thought out.

C’mon now, I know gamers are passionate and emotional when it comes to games, so being angry about a nerf that directly correlates to their fun is completely understandable. But let’s look at this from an objective standpoint. You really think that the game devs and designers didn’t discuss this, and every other decision they make for that matter, completely? This game is their livelihood. If they fail, they could be out a job. Look at what Bioware did to the SWTOR team. Look at what happened to 38 Studios. I’m not saying that game developers and designers always make the best choices, but I can guarantee you that they take every decision they make very seriously. In this case, I’m sure it wasn’t just:

One designer – “IC is too powerful to be an adept minor trait, let’s move it up a bunch.”
Another designer – “Good idea, done. Next?”

No, and I’m sure they take it very seriously. But I do think it’s more likely that the discussion started with “IC is too powerful” than that it started with “how do we get more people to play shatter mesmers”

But the consequence of more people moving to a shatter build may not have occurred to them. And frankly, I don’t think that will happen.

I really think that ANet didn’t think it through that far.

There was no conversation that started “Why aren’t more people running shatter builds.”

Instead, I think the discussion was “IC is too powerful to be an adept minor trait, let’s move it up a bunch”

The impact of that move was probably not completely thought out.

TheProphetOmega.3596:

@TooBz
I understand your gripe man, dont get me wrong, the grind gets to all of us eventually, after running the same content for the 9th time things will get stale, but this thing was designed that way, people bash this game about being too casual, imagine what would they say if you could actually level to 80 in minutes…

Crafting being as boring as it is, is still a great alternative to leveling without running around doing the same stuff over and over again.

Yeah, like I said, I’ve been a little hyper since the balance patch (and since I can’t argue with ANet, I argue with everyone else. Healthy.). Honestly, you can buy a level 80 kit in the black lion trading company, it’s called gems to gold.

@hamsteak. I don’t want to take over this topic and make it mine. It wasn’t my request. I just jumped in to start to argue. But for me, there are aspects of the game that are fun, like WvW, and aspects of the games that are less fun (open world pve).

TheProphetOmega.3596:

TooBz.3065:

ref.8196:

“leveling” you mean err…playing the game? I enjoyed getting to 80 on my first char. I’d never do it again, which is why I’ll just craft my alts to 80.

No “leveling” is not playing the game. level 80 in WvW is playing the game. Running dungeons at 80 is playing the game. Leveling your 6th character is a dull boring romp though desolate zones.

and that is just an opinion, I enjoy leveling my toons, WvW and dungeons are just something else to do in the game, so far this game has proven to have something for every taste, even tho, this game cant have everything for everyone.

some things that are considered boring for some, are fun for others, this is the spice of life, this is humanity right here folks, arguing about the fact that the free ice cream is only vanilla.

Of course it’s an opinion. Everything I say on the forums is my opinion. This should not have to be spelled out everytime I post my opinion, in my opinion.

However, I take issue with people acting like wanting to get your 7th toon to level 80 fast doesn’t want to “play the game.”

Note: I didn’t ask for this myself, although I have sometimes wished I could buy a level 80 kit from the trading post.

Sorry for the tone, I’ve been a little hyper since the balance patch. Very upset with the game right now. It’s really not personal.

Heylo.4938:

TooBz.3065:

ref.8196:

“leveling” you mean err…playing the game? I enjoyed getting to 80 on my first char. I’d never do it again, which is why I’ll just craft my alts to 80.

No “leveling” is not playing the game. level 80 in WvW is playing the game. Running dungeons at 80 is playing the game. Leveling your 6th character is a dull boring romp though desolate zones.

So…when I’m leveling my thief in Harathi…i’m not playing the game? Is that real life?!?! This changes everything.

Yep. Everything becomes clear once you realize that.

ref.8196:

“leveling” you mean err…playing the game? I enjoyed getting to 80 on my first char. I’d never do it again, which is why I’ll just craft my alts to 80.

No “leveling” is not playing the game. level 80 in WvW is playing the game. Running dungeons at 80 is playing the game. Leveling your 6th character is a dull boring romp though desolate zones.

This is very similar to the hidden fire build. you may want to check that out and see what you think.

Carighan.6758:

But exactly for PvE, and specifically for what you lament, the changes done did a lot of good.

Clones have a bit more health now, Phantasms have substantially more health and Signet of Illusions (though weaker) works instantly now.

If these changes were PvP-only, you’d still have illusions dying in 1 blow in PvE because their base health was terrible and signet was not working instantly.

But clones have less health in WvW. You touch them and they pop like balloons. Which would be kitten fantastic if there was a decent condition build (or if conditions on kill added damaging conditions. Replace vunerability and weakness with burning and torment, or just only have bleeds)

While I know it’s not necessarily justified (emotions rarely are), I’m not excited at all. I feel tired and frustrated and like I wasted a whole lot of time on this game.

I don’t understand what ANet is trying to do. I don’t understand why something must be broken before it can be fixed.

Ision.3207:

The “Nerf-Rhino.”

F2 skill: cannot be nerfed by devs no matter how many terri-bad players die to pet damage in WvW or PvP.

I’d like the companion “Nerf-Hippo,” the F2 ability would randomly remove the functionality of a utility, weapon skill, or class mechanic forever (within a 1200 range).

While I think soul bound items are a kick in the nethers in general, this will never happen. ANet wants you to grind out another greatsword or what ever.

Yeah, because that 6, 7, and 8th profession are a kitten to level.