Guild Wars 2

I’m a level 80 thief, with full Berserker’s Armour & Accessories, Rings etc.

After having run several dungeons recently, and played a bit of Fractals it seems that my survivability is well under par. I’m so used to the glass cannon way of playing in other MMOs, that I have failed to give myself much survivability other than what I have in my traits.

I decided that I should perhaps leave my Berserker’s Armour to one side, and replace it all with Soldier’s Armour, which gives Power/Toughness/Vitality. This way I’ll still get a DPS increase with the +power, but also some nice survivability aswell (hopefully).

The only problem is, having checked the Trading Post for armour with these stats, there isn’t a single piece of Exotic 80 armour with them on the TP.

Therefore, do you guys know of any other way of acquiring this particular type of armour? Preferably the easiest/cheapest way possible.

Thanks guys, and of course if you feel the need to add any advice or suggestions, I would gladly welcome it!

I’m a level 80 thief, with full Berserker’s Armour & Accessories, Rings etc.

After having run several dungeons recently, and played a bit of Fractals it seems that my survivability is well under par. I’m so used to the glass cannon way of playing in other MMOs, that I have failed to give myself much survivability other than what I have in my traits.

I decided that I should perhaps leave my Berserker’s Armour to one side, and replace it all with Soldier’s Armour, which gives Power/Toughness/Vitality. This way I’ll still get a DPS increase with the +power, but also some nice survivability aswell (hopefully).

The only problem is, having checked the Trading Post for armour with these stats, there isn’t a single piece of Exotic 80 armour with them on the TP.

Therefore, do you guys know of any other way of acquiring this particular type of armour? Preferably the easiest/cheapest way possible.

Thanks guys, and of course if you feel the need to add any advice or suggestions, I would gladly welcome it!

Dargan.8374:

My argument, this picture of my character.

Funniest thing I’ve ever seen on this forum. Ever.

I read through all of that and I can tell you now, you’re doing NOTHING wrong. Trust me, I’m a big fan of essays, I could go on forever but I’ll be perfectly honest with you… I’ve had to stop myself. I’m not a nice person at all, and I’ve realised that recently. It’s just something I can’t help. Yeah I keep it hidden a lot, so people think I’m “such a nice guy” etc etc, but if they could get inside my head they’d know I was a horrible person really.

It’s a shame, as I feel I could give you some really good advice, but my mindset is so messed up, I fear my “advice” wouldn’t be regarded as such by most people reading this thread.

So I won’t go on, but TRUST ME, don’t ever stop being nice. That’s all I can say, you seem the type of nice person this World needs, don’t ever let anything change that. I’ve been there & changed, I let society mess me up big time. If I could go back, I would, but I took a lot of bad advice over the years and I’ve gone from being an overly nice guy to a horrible person.

So if there’s one piece of advice to take from this… Please don’t ever stop being nice.

I waited 3 years for this game, figured it was going to be my new “long term” mmo. Sadly that wasn’t the case. The problem you described is the number one reason I have now left the game. That, and the fact that there isn’t really much whatsoever to spend your money on anyway, even if you were to get good loot.

Such a shame.

+1 All of your posts, I agree 100%

This game NEEDS some form of progression and a REASON to acquire wealth. At the moment, even if you’re the richest guy in the game, you can’t really buy anything worthwhile.

I expected this game to last me 5+ years… Unfortunately it only lasted me 2 months. What a shame tbh.

I’m on the same boat guys, seems Anet can’t seem to grasp the simple things that will make people actually be interested in playing again.

+1 to this, absolutely.

pkbot.1345:

Dyroth.5063:

If you are looking for a game of continual progress in character strength and stat development, this isn’t your game for long. If you like tons of PvE progress and variation this is probably not your game.

Thanks.

It’s a big letdown to hear that, but thanks.

Seriously for such an amazingly beautiful game lush with exploration and great systems, they should have catered more to constant progression ideals. Leveling 1 to 80 was awesome and satisfying, at least the first time through. But then you’re left with no more satisfying progression to make. Whoever made that call on the design team should re-think how to approach end-game.

1.) Add an LFG auto-group interface.
2.) Add really high tiers of items only available in the hardest dungeons.

I hate WoW nowadays, mostly due to them splitting the game into two, but they should get a lot of credit for their PvE item progression at end-game. GW2 should take a page from it if they want more people to play their game.

This. Absolutely this ^^

/agree with OP 100%

You pretty much said what I’ve felt like saying for weeks now about the game in this thread. Glad to see somebody feels the same way at least. I too was expecting this game to last me 5+ years… Unfortunately it lasted me about 2 months.

But silly me, I keep coming back to see if anything worthwhile has been added and nope, nothing. Ah well.

I understand that a lot of GW2 endgame is getting your character to look exactly as you want him to, whether it be running dungeons for tokens so that you can get a certain gear skin, or even buying your gear from the TP.

I’ve been playing since the start and now have my character looking EXACTLY the way I want him to. I have full exotics gemmed & runed out the way I want. There’s not a single piece of gear I’d like to look any different, so all I’m wondering now is what is left for me to do really? I could carry on running dungeons or fractals etc, but any rewards I get aren’t really going to be much use to me at all. The only thing I’d really be playing for anymore is to increase my wealth, but I could be the richest guy in the game, and still have no idea what to spend all my wealth on.

I’m trying my hardest not to leave the game, as I’ve waited years for it to come out. I know that people don’t like a gear treadmill/grind and that’s fine, I don’t particularly like it either, but it seems now that there isn’t really anything worth doing anymore ingame.

I played GW1 happily for years, because there was always things to work for. For example, you would at times perhaps work towards getting enough money to buy a Req 8/9 Crystalline Sword, which was very expensive. That type of thing, because the skin was UNIQUE and looked great.

Playing GW2 now, I just can’t see anything else worth working towards considering my character looks exactly the way I want him to, and couldn’t imagine changing anything (unless of course they release any new weapon/gear skins).

I also have over 200k Karma saved up, and absolutely nothing to spend it on because I don’t need or want any of the gear skins, so that takes away event farming as something I could be doing, as I won’t be spending the earned Karma on anything at all.

edit: My character is a Human Thief who basically has the Anonymity Hood as the headpiece, the rest of his gear is Flame Legion Armor & he has two Centurion’s Claws as his weapons. I went cliché and dyed it Abyssal. Now, to ME I think he looks great, and that’s the reason I don’t really want to change anything.

I understand that a lot of GW2 endgame is getting your character to look exactly as you want him to, whether it be running dungeons for tokens so that you can get a certain gear skin, or even buying your gear from the TP.

I’ve been playing since the start and now have my character looking EXACTLY the way I want him to. I have full exotics gemmed & runed out the way I want. There’s not a single piece of gear I’d like to look any different, so all I’m wondering now is what is left for me to do really? I could carry on running dungeons or fractals etc, but any rewards I get aren’t really going to be much use to me at all. The only thing I’d really be playing for anymore is to increase my wealth, but I could be the richest guy in the game, and still have no idea what to spend all my wealth on.

I’m trying my hardest not to leave the game, as I’ve waited years for it to come out. I know that people don’t like a gear treadmill/grind and that’s fine, I don’t particularly like it either, but it seems now that there isn’t really anything worth doing anymore ingame.

I played GW1 happily for years, because there was always things to work for. For example, you would at times perhaps work towards getting enough money to buy a Req 8/9 Crystalline Sword, which was very expensive. That type of thing, because the skin was UNIQUE and looked great.

Playing GW2 now, I just can’t see anything else worth working towards considering my character looks exactly the way I want him to, and couldn’t imagine changing anything (unless of course they release any new weapon/gear skins).

OK great, thanks for that. Pretty much all I needed to know!

By endgame, I mean once I hit level 80 (I’m 5 levels off) and start farming karma, dungeons, fractals etc.

Once I get to level 80, I was wondering if there would be any problems wearing full magic find gear/gems etc? Now, obviously my damage & survivability would probably drop, but is it even noticeable?

Obviously I’d like to make as much money as I can in this game, and increase my chances of decent loot drops, so I figured once I hit 80 I’d buy a full exotic set of MF gear for doing dungeons, farming karma etc.

The thing is, I just don’t know how it’ll play out in reality. Will I be severely limiting myself? I’d go with no MF gear whatsoever, if I were still able to receive decent loot at times, but hearing “MF IS A MUST” all the time in GW2 is just making me curious.

Thanks guys.

Well the reason I was thinking of going with Divinity Runes is because they’re simple. They provide a rounded number of things, and there’s nothing I need to “proc” or anything like that. No 5% chance for _ to happen etc. So I figured for general PvE they may be my best option, as they will be providing some survivability aswell as improved DPS.

If on the other hand as Methias said above, I’d be better suited to using Jewels in my gear instead of Runes, I may end up doing that. I’d just like to hear what people say about it, as I’m not sure what the general consensus is on using Jewels/Gems instead of Runes on armour.

I always figured it was best to go with Runes instead of Jewels/Gems on armour, but then again I’ve not read up too much on it, so I may be wrong.

I’m currently using full Exotic Berserker gear, with an Exotic Greatsword & an Exotic Rifle as secondary. I also have full Exotic accessories (jewels etc) except for my back piece. This is for general PvE really.

I was wondering which runes to get for my armour. Having looked at all of the Runes, the ones that appealed to me the most were Superior Runes of Divinity, although coincidentally they also happened to be the most expensive Runes on the Trading Post.

On my server (Desolation EU) Superior Runes of Divinity currently cost 5g each, and I need six of them for my armour. Now, if they’re worth it I guess I don’t mind paying that much, but I just wanted to check to see what everybody else’s opinions were first before I go out and spend 30g on them. They just seem stupidly overpriced compared to other Superior Runes on the TP, but then again they are the ones that really stood out to me, which I’d planned on going with even before I found out the price. Just a shame they cost so much, as I’m going to be broke fairly soon if I buy them.

One other thing that has been worrying me about this is the fact that Ascended gear is coming out in the near future. So if I were to spend 30g on Runes for my armour now, what happens several weeks down the line if/when I get myself some Ascended gear? Would I just be getting rid of the Runes, or is there any way to re-use them on the Ascended gear. I just don’t want to have to buy new runes at 5g a piece every time I change a piece of gear.

Thanks.

Thanks for the replies guys, that’s a great help.

One thing I’ve been concerned about is the fact that if I’m going for 100% map completion, then chances are I’m not going to be focusing on much else until that’s done. Now, considering I don’t know how long it’s going to take, I don’t want to feel as though I’m lagging behind everybody else in terms of getting things done.

For example, by the time I’ve gotten to 100% map completion it might be ages away, and I just don’t want to be having to catch up with everybody else because I’ve been focusing on map completion instead of other things.

I’ve not even tried WvW whatsoever yet. I was leaving this until I hit 80, although seeing as I’m now 80 I’ve still not tried it as I’m working on the map completion.

I would like to be able to try out WvW whilst doing the map completion, although seeing as I’ve never tried it out before, I’m assuming that I’ll have to change my build/gear etc for it? I just don’t want to go into WvW using my PvE build that’s all. Is there such thing as dual builds in GW2?

I’ve just recently finished my Personal Story, and defeated Zhaitan. The first thing I’ve decided to do now that I’m done with the story and I’ve hit level 80, is to go out and get the 100% map completion.

I’m currently at 45% although it’s fairly monotonous. I was just wondering if you guys had any tips which could improve the experience for me, or at least help to get it done as quickly as possible. I.e. Is there certain things I should buy before this? I was thinking of perhaps investing some money in Magic Find food, just so that I’m at least making money while I’m exploring, although I couldn’t find any on the TP at all which was strange. It was just full of alcohol when I searched for “Consumables>food”.

What do you guys suggest?

Thanks.

Thank you guys, that’s a great help!

I hit level 80 a few days back. I’m currently in Malchor’s Leap (Orr) carrying on with my Personal Story. I’m using a Greatsword, having changed from Sword MH/Axe OH due to people telling me that GS was “so much better” which is fine, I don’t mind sticking with GS, that’s not the problem.

The problem is, now that I’ve hit 80 I’m not really sure how to spread my traits out whatsoever. I tried going the full DPS route, and speccing as 30/30/0/0/10 but with my traits set like this, my survivability in Orr is very questionable. As soon as I have more than 3 mobs on me at once, I’m dead, especially if there’s a Veteran with them.

I then tried giving up some of my damage for more survivability, therefore I tried out 20/25/15/0/10 which takes some of my DPS away, but also gives me some extra Toughness. Now, I’m not sure where the line ends… How much Defense is enough and how much is TOO much? I’m trying to cause as much DPS as possible, whilst staying alive, but I can’t seem to find the right balance. I’ve been overlooking the Tactics trait line, as I figured more Toughness would help me to stay alive as opposed to Vitality, but then again I’m just guessing here, I really don’t know.

It’s a lot harder for me to decide where to spend my traits, seeing as I’ve been spoonfed in WoW and had my builds handed to me for the past several years. I’d obviously love to spec as a full on DPS, with no defense at all, but I know if I was to do this it’d probably be the complete wrong thing to do.

I want to be able to survive as much as possible in all aspects of PvE, whilst still doing respectable damage, so if you guys could help me out & give me some pointers, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

Sorry for the late reply, but thanks for all the responses guys.

From what I gathered from the above posts, I’m guessing I should just pick a certain weapon type to stick with? For example, Sword/Sword or Axe/Axe, or just GS?

I’m more than happy to go with Sword/Sword, although I’m not really interested in Axe/Axe or GS. Is Sword/Sword viable for PvE and if so, how would I go about speccing that?

I like high crit numbers, and always have done in MMOs, so I was wondering if I could make a type of crit focused build whilst using Sword/Sword?

I’m using Rifle as my secondary weapon also.

I’ve only just hit level 80. I’ve been spending my trait points on just random things up until now, not really caring what I spend each point on as it seems to have been working fine up to 80. I decided that once I hit lvl 80, I’d then reset my trait point and spend them all properly.

I am currently Dual Wielding (Sword MH, Axe OH) and plan to stay that way, as I don’t really care for big two handers. I may down the line switch to Sword/Sword instead of Sword/Axe, but for now I’m just sticking with Sword/Axe.

I’m aware that there are not really any “cookie cutter” builds out there, and AFAIK you’re left to your own desires, as to how to spend your trait points.

So basically, I’m just wondering if there are any mandatory traits to spec into and how to make a decent balanced spec really. As a DPS, I’d obviously like to see some respectable damage numbers, but then again I’d also like to be able to survive encounters without having to constantly get revived or run back from a waypoint.

On the other hand, I don’t want to put TOO many trait points into Defense & Tactics, if it’s not really needed. Obviously Defense gives you increased Toughness, and Tactics gives you increased Vitality, but I don’t really have any idea as to how to spend my 70 trait points properly. How much vitality & defense do I actually NEED as a Warrior?

I plan on doing most things the game has to offer PvE wise, so I’d like to be as prepared as possible with all my trait points spent wisely, which is why I’d appreciate some help/advice with this.

Thanks guys.

Thanks guys.

I think basically what I’m looking for is to get all of the ‘important’ things done. For example, things like getting the Master Carver title, the Mad Memoires back piece etc.

I’d hate to have the events finish and realise I’ve missed out on something that was fairly simple to get.

I’m enjoying this Halloween event so far, although when something like this appears in a game I like to try & do EVERYTHING that is available at the time. I’m pretty sure I’ve missed some things though.

I’ve currently done the following:

- Got the Mad Memoires book for my back slot.
– Started the Pumpkin carving event thing.
– Participated in the Costume Brawling.

Now that Act 2 has begun, I was just wondering where to start exactly, as there seems to be so many things going on at once, but not really a proper place to start or NPC to go & speak to. Not that I know of anyway.

I searched online for a guide to Act 2, which I was hoping would provide a list of all things which are available to do in this Act, although I couldn’t find much. I found several guides for Act 1, although seeing as Act 1 is over now, they’re not of much use.

I entered one of the door portals in Kryta, which took me to the Mad King’s Realm, although once I got there I had no idea what the whole thing was, what I was meant to be doing, etc. I keep hearing people talking about the “Clock Tower” and other places like that, although I have no idea what they’re talking about.

I’d appreciate some help with this, thanks guys.

Happy/Morbid Halloween!

Sorry for the late reply guys, I went to bed after making the thread. Have just read through it now, and just want to say thanks to everybody for the help/tips, I appreciate it. Will hopefully allow me to play my Thief better than I have been.

I’m currently level 31, and am using either S/D or D/D. I have P/P as my secondary weapon set. I’m using the following 3 signets:

Infiltrator’s Signet (Extra 1 Initiative Every 10 Secs)
Assassin’s Signet (Increased Power)
Signet of Agility (Increased Precision)

First off, I’m wondering whether or not it’s viable or even optimal to run all three signets together? I hardly ever USE them directly, therefore I’m constantly receiving the passive bonuses. It’s a shame the passive bonus disappears if you use them, therefore I just keep them sitting idle on my bar, but oh well.

Secondly, is Infiltrator’s Signet really worth using at all? I only wonder, because 1 extra Initiative every 10 seconds just seems as though you’d hardly even notice it. Is it worth using up a skill slot for this signet?

Just trying to see which skills are worth using over others really, as I’ve not really touched any of them apart from the signets & ‘Ambush’ every now & then.

I keep hearing things about using P/D or D/P etc aswell, yet I picked Thief because I wanted to be a melee class. To be blunt, if I wanted any ranged attacks, I would have gone a primarily ranged class. Is it alright to forget about using pistols & to just stick with Melee weapons as a Thief? I’m hoping so as I don’t want to be forced into a play style I’m not comfortable with, just because it’s the ‘optimal thing’ right now.

And finally, I seem to be CONSTANTLY running out of Initiative during fights. If ONE mob is on me, I do fine, yet as soon as I’m fighting against 2+ mobs I’m basically dead, due to the fact my Initiative keeps running out. It basically forces me to just use 1 or 2 skills MAX on my skillbar, therefore a lot of the time my other skills sit idle due to the fact that I have to preserve Initiative. This is another shame as I want to be able to use ALL my skills with no problems, not just be stuck to using 1-2 skills due to issues with Initiative. Any suggestions please?

Thanks guys.

You’re absolutely right, I’m used to coming from games such as WoW, Rift, TSW etc where min maxing is important, so I was sorta looking for a cookie cutter type build. As much as I don’t like them, it’s best to use what’s known as “the best” out there when it comes to min maxing in games like that.

I didn’t realise it wasn’t so important in GW2, that’s nice to know. I guess I’ll just learn everything for myself as I go along.

Would also like to see this.

/Signed

I’m playing a Thief, and am doing OK so far (Lvl 24) but I can’t help thinking I can do a lot better as I bet there’s a lot of things I don’t know about thieves yet.

Therefore, do you guys know of any decent/reputable guide to help with leveling & also for endgame? I had a look around on Google, but couldn’t really see anything that goes into depth on playing a thief.

I.e. what to rune/gem, which skills are best for which situations (dungeons, leveling, etc) amongst other things.

If you guys could gimme a link or something to any decent guide(s) you know of, I’d appreciate it.

Thanks.

I would very much like this also.

/signed I guess.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

I’m playing as a Warrior, and am level 10 at the moment so I’m not too far into the game really. Anyway, I am currently using a skill called “Signet of Might” shown here – http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Signet_of_Might

Basically, what I’d like to know is whether it’s more optimal to actually USE the signet, as opposed to just leaving it alone & letting the passive part of it stay active constantly. As far as I’m aware, once you actually USE the skill, you lose the passive bonus until it resets.

The same goes for many other signets/skills such as this. I’m just never sure whether it’s worth leaving it alone so the passive is constantly on, or using it which would obviously provide a bigger bonus than the passive grants, but for a shorter duration of time.

Thanks guys.