Guild Wars 2

Well, never one to be complacent about the looks of my lovely ladies, I have changed up Rose’s look .. again. I really like the new shadow weapons so wanted something different to go with them. I was thinking of going with Shadow Abyss but I’m not lucky at the BL dyes and at over 200g on the TP I stuck with what I had. Colors are midnight ice, midnight sky and oil slick. Mix of seer, sorcerer’s, feathered and incarnate armor.

I agree it is going to be a grind one way or the other. And as posters in other threads have indicated, I believe the prices of T6 mats is going to jump, so that while we will “save” on the precursor by making it ourselves, we will pay much more for other mats going into the legendary. I mean, if more people can make them, then demand will increase for all mats, not just precursors. That is, of course, assuming that legendaries will still require the same ‘base’ ingredients they do now. I think “be careful what you wish for” will be spoken in the months to come.

I agree Guracie. I mean, look at the uproar over the reduction of karma! It was sooo bad. And yet, I can still rack up karma like mad. Let’s wait and see to make any judgments on things that haven’t happened yet.

Davy B.9185:

I’m not sure if its been mentioned by anyone else as I’ve not read the whole tread, but I did notice when activating the hell skill on the Revanent at the Wyvern (I know I shouldn’t have needed to) that at times it took 3 or 4 press of the 6 key to get it to activate as it kept autoattacking.
Another was stability, I was still getting knocked back even when having stacks of stability up.
Apart from that all seemed very stable, yes there was a fps drop at the start but stable apart from that.

I will second what you’ve said here. I noticed the problem with the heal skill as well but forgot to mention it. Also no stability. I managed to stay upright at the Wyvern once while getting beaten with wings, when I had the chain skill attached to it. Otherwise, no, not once.

I’ll also mention lack of guild panel. Personally, I could not even bring up the panel at all. When I got in I realized I was not in a guild, so just thought I could bring up the panel and represent my guild, but no such luck.

I feel now like I missed out on a lot. Seems like other felt good to roam and found other things I didn’t. I felt like I was in a cycle of doing the same things over and over. Which is ok. Again, I get it’s a stress test and not the actual expansion. I was just happy to participate. But it got pretty boring after an hour.

I’m happy to pitch in!

Well the only thing I didn’t get to take part in was some mushroom thing. I had no idea how to do it and didn’t see any help to figure it out so I just left it. I put my 2 points into gliding. I agree with many others that say the UI for the masteries is not great. It’s way too big and it actually took me a minute to figure out how to actually use a point. I was clicking this and that and I’m still not sure if there was some glitch or I’m just too kitten to figure out stuff like that :p

My FPS was between 58 and 89 for those times I looked. I use a gaming tower, maybe that helps. It was 58 during the biggest, first fight with the dragon when lots of players were in on it. On the last dragon fight there were maybe 4 or 5 of us and that’s where I checked and saw the 89 FPS.

I was DC’d once in the first fight with the dragon. I really enjoyed the fight although it did seem fairly easy. The skills you get with hammer seem to really be made for a fight just like that. Keep the dragon from flying away and use some combo fields, etc.

The overall look was really nice. However, of course being a test it was pretty boring pretty quick. Do this, do that, fight dragon, rinse, repeat. I also enjoyed the laser sniping part. I fought on the ground a few times then did the sniper and I liked it because I was always stuck on the ground in some CC and found it frustrating at times. With sniping you just shoot and kill and it was pretty cool.

As another poster mentioned, many times that I went to place a bomb I just had to run over the thing and didn’t have to interact (no pressing F) and it just happened.

Overall the weapons and skills worked well. It was hard to tell if sometimes the skills didn’t work because I was caught in some CC or maybe the skills overlapped and maybe cancelled each other out. Did not happen often. The glider was pretty easy to figure out and it was quite nice. I wasn’t sure though how to end it, or if I could end it, sooner than when it just stopped on its own. I found maneuvering with it quite easy.

I loved the look of the new armor!

I played the Revanent and found the hammer fun to play with. I also tried the mace and axe and they were also good but better for the first section, not for the dragon – it was too hard to get in close many times for that.

Thanks for the invite. I really enjoyed my time in the Beta The sound was amazing, by the way. I had no issues watching the scenes. They were the best ones to date (coming from someone who usually skips every one in game!).

Randulf.7614:

ozmaniandevil.6805:

I haven’t done the test yet but will be getting in there for the 5 pm PST time slot. Can someone tell me how to easily find my FPS while I’m playing? Never done that before.

Press f11…the fps and ping is at the bottom of the menu

Thanks man!

I haven’t done the test yet but will be getting in there for the 5 pm PST time slot. Can someone tell me how to easily find my FPS while I’m playing? Never done that before.

The restrictions make sense. You shouldn’t be able to do any PvP on a class with skills that others don’t have access to. Also agree that BL trading post should not be allowed. Again, you may have items in your inventory that no one else has. You should not be able to sell it. This. makes. sense.

Savoy.6824:

@JustTrogdor, what if Im already playing the game? Do I need to log out and log back in? Will said new character be lvl 80 automatically? If I go to the heart of the mist and pvp, will stronghold be an option in my list of maps when Im done queing?

I guess, Ive just never seen the Create Beta Character button. Im guessing it will be somewhere on the character select screen.

I would assume you’d have to at least log to character creation screen at the said time, since you have to click that button for creating a beta character. I believe it will be auto level 80 with all necessary weapons/skills unlocked. You won’t have time to go shopping or leveling.

spoj.9672:

Necros can also be shut down for an entire game thanks to not starting with any lifeforce. Which means its highly beneficial to focus them so they can never build it up.

I agree with this. And I’m not sure if there’s a glitch with my own DS but I’ve been finding lately that even in DS in WvW battles I’m taken down in about 2 seconds. Like, not even time to hit a button fast taken down. Whereas it seems that prior to say, the last month or so, I was always the last person standing in any WvW fight, even when highly outnumbered (which is the usual for my times in WvW).

I’m not a guru. I’m not as skilled at necro as many, but I have played my necro since my 1st day in GW2 and I can say this. I don’t enjoy playing it anymore. I really hope it gets fixed because I feel pretty useless with my necro now. Minion master is a joke thanks to minions not doing anything 80% of the time, and power has been nerfed to the ground, and conditions are cleansed faster than I can apply them. My DS seems completely useless, and I can’t run or stealth. So ya, my ranger is getting a lot of my time now. And that’s just sad.

I don’t understand why ANet “should have been more selective” in who got picked for this stress test. As I understand it, the purpose is to tax the system. It doesn’t require that I have specialized knowledge of GW lore or am a dungeon runner or a PvPer. I think my job is simply to log in and play around and report any errors I happen to see, but I also expect lots of lag, DCs, etc. That doesn’t require any special skill does it? We are all special snowflakes…. meaning none of us are special. We don’t need to be.

Just a flesh wound.3589:

We were chosen because we are pure at heart, clean of mind, brush our teeth at least 3 times a day and perform miracles on a regular basis.

RNG might have been a factor also.

LOL… thanks for the hearty laugh

Zera Allimatti.2541:

Do note that it has been said that this initial invite is for a smaller group. They will send more later on. As far as selection goes, it is possible that ArenaNet prioritized players who were in prior closed beta or even earlier tests as well as those who provided really good feedback in the open betas. Another possibility is the amount of gems people bought with actual money, but don’t quote me on that.

Your speculations are completely unfounded. I wasn’t in other betas or earlier tests. i have provided minimal info on glitches in game. I buy a few gems but nothing crazy. I don’t PvP. I don’t have 20,000 AP, and I haven’t sent cake to anyone at ANet.

Seriously people. It was random from a large pool of probably millions of players, including you and you and you. Chill out.

Joshua Stonetree.4617:

I would have a greater fear of spiders…

lol… yeah, me too. i would go hide somewhere and never come out until all the spiders had been purged. i can deal with everything else.

BooHud.2681:

ozmaniandevil.6805:

Yes, it’s called a draw. You were all in it. Some got their name drawn, some did not. Nothing to be upset over. Personally, I will have to work extra hours the day before and the day after the scheduled test just to make the 5-7 PST time slot. Happens to be the busiest time of year for me at work. However, this will be my first opportunity to do something like this, so I want to make the time. I actually feel there will be lots of problems and the two hour window will not feel like much time at all. It’s a stress test, after all, not a full on “hey we got this polished awesome new game for you please play and have fun” kind of test. We can’t keep what we get, we can’t keep the characters. We will be no better off than anyone else after the test is done.

---

So happy you and Ozzy get to do this – I’m sure you will have a fantastic adventure this week! Can’t wait to hear all about it!

Thanks Booduh!

Why in the world would you read the process has anything to do with how many gems are purchased???? Just… wow.

I’ll be looking at the traits in the stress test, but I also doubt that will be part of this early stage of testing.

Yes, it’s called a draw. You were all in it. Some got their name drawn, some did not. Nothing to be upset over. Personally, I will have to work extra hours the day before and the day after the scheduled test just to make the 5-7 PST time slot. Happens to be the busiest time of year for me at work. However, this will be my first opportunity to do something like this, so I want to make the time. I actually feel there will be lots of problems and the two hour window will not feel like much time at all. It’s a stress test, after all, not a full on “hey we got this polished awesome new game for you please play and have fun” kind of test. We can’t keep what we get, we can’t keep the characters. We will be no better off than anyone else after the test is done.

I’m definitely trying out the Revenant.

DevilishLyx.2340:

lordkrall.7241:

Zoid.2568:

I’ve been signed up since launch of GW2.

I believe you might have to sign up again, in order to show interest/activity. Thats what I understood from the blog post at least.

Yup you have to sign up for the HOT newsletter, I think its different

https://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com/en

Can’t be. I haven’t signed up for anything since buying the game right after launch, and I received an invite for the stress test.

I’m surprised at all the people who are upset. Had i not been chosen it wouldn’t have botherd me in the slightest. The email clearly states they chose people at randam from a large pool of those that met the criteria. ANet isn’t shunning you at all or trying to tell you to buy more gems or anything. It’s a DRAW. Sheesh. Take a step back and realize you might be chosen for the next testing stage. Two hours isn’t worth getting all up in arms and crying over…. is it?

I got an invite and I’m way too excited!

You’re not alone. I got an invite and this will be my first beta testing of a game. My plan is to just go play and explore and note anything weird. I’m not sure what a stress test beta is for. Are they stressing the server or the mechanics? Also does it matter if I can’t participate in both time slots? I’m really busy at work so I can make the 5-7 PST slot but not the 12-2 PST slot.

Sube Dai.8496:

Looks like a dude

or dude looks like a lady? this is my favorite thread of the day. i’ve never laughed so hard. thank you.

Yup, that happened to me too.

Thanks! I’ll give that a try.

Hi all, I’ve been avoiding taking my necro into SW because of lack of mobility, lack of stability, and usually slow time to kill high level mobs. I’m looking for help to come up with a build that I can use effectively in SW. Right now I use a mish mash of spoj’s power build and a well build so I can go between farming in Orr and running with my guild in WvW. I have used my warrior in SW and started taking my ranger there as well but have never ventured there with my main necro! Please help! I like to do all events, defends, breach, VW.

Current weapons are staff and A/WH or D/WH. All zerker. I have gold so I don’t mind having to completely respec if that’s the best thing to do.

Actually, after playing over 2k hours in the game, I was wrong :p When you complete a heart, the heart is on the right side of the screen and you have to click on it. However, I don’t know if they would stack. If they stack, I’m not sure how many you could stack before you would lose them or they would open automatically.

I hope not. I will never complete Dry Top as I hate that map more than anything, even spiders.

I had to do about 15 or so successful runs before I got my 2nd coat box. Taking a break before going for my 3rd. I know how frustrating it can be. I think if I had done 70 I’d be fuming. Sorry OP. I hope you get it. At ANet… whhhhhyyyyyyyyyyy you do this?

You get heart rewards on completion. If you don’t accept the reward you can’t see your screen. So, my advice is to pop booster before doing them.

Celtic Lady.3729:

Yeah, I hate that stealth flag heart so much. I also hate the heart in Sparkfly Fen with the Hylek grubs. You have to use the poison machines to knock over the termite hills and carry grubs to the fire pit but you can’t get the cooked grubs out of the fire even though it says you can.

Another annoying heart is the one in Plains of Ashford where you have to use a special rifle to catch minotaurs and drakes. It says you can fight them in the pit, but you can’t. Before the NPE, though, we could and it was a fast way to get the heart done. Now it takes forever.

Agree on all counts. I really hope ANet does look at this stuff, because new players have to go through it (well, if they want to complete maps at least). It’s hard enough keeping new players engaged thanks to the NPE, so I think that they really don’t do the game justice to leave in stuff like this.

If you want to do dungeons, especially speed clear, then ele is probably your best bet. They have (apparently) highest DPS of the classes and are definitely wanted in dungeons. Ranger is fun to play, but while they can be good in dungeons, I guess it more depends on how well you can play the class. I think you should try both and see which you enjoy the most. Ranger used to be frowned upon but they’ve gotten some good buffs that make them very viable in PvE.

Celtic Lady.3729:

Some hearts are definitely more difficult to complete than others. Why some of them need to be so slow if there’s no DE going on in the immediate area, I’ll never know. Hearts that are too dependent on a DE going on is not a great idea overall.

I concur. As I mention in my post above, it’s not fun just waiting around. If you’re designing the quests, they shouldn’t be dependent on a random event spawning in order to complete them, unless said event can easily be started by anyone at any time.

mXz.4512:

I know one heart that matches the OP’s description perfectly is the (level 19) heart NE at The Wendon Steps in Brisban Wilds. I felt I was constantly waiting around for bandits to spawn and “steal” Seraph supplies. And if there wasn’t any big event going on, it seemed like it took 40 seconds or so just for each bandit to spawn only to finish that heart.

I’d like to suggest this one gets an increased mob spawn rate if possible.

Aside from the ones already listed, this one in particular just had me twiddling my thumbs just trying finish.

That’s the one exactly.

I went as far as I could, like until the heart disappeared, then went back in the other directions as far as I could. Finally an event spawned that gave me what I needed but my point is, that it’s not fun WAITING. Have more things to do or more mobs to tag.

My only input: If you’re planning on using the laptop as something you’d actually want to travel with, you may want to just steer clear of the Alienware. I have the 14" Alienware and can tell you a few things about it. One, it is LOUD with the fan going – like jet engine loud, turn up your music to max volume to drown it out loud. Two, it is very, very heavy – like 6 or 7 pounds for the 14" one. Three, it is great for gaming, as I get no lag, although the graphics obviously aren’t as good as a gaming tower.

I haven’t researched laptops recently, but I thought you should get some Alienware info from an owner of one. I hope that helps in some way. Also make sure your CPU is capable, and that the CPU or video card is not where you have to rest your hand. I had tried to use an HP laptop prior to my Alienware and I almost got burns from the heat coming off of it. GW2 is intensive and will tax any laptop – cooling is going to be really important.

I am completing maps on my ranger, and I noticed something more and more. When doing heart quests, there is sometimes (I won’t say often) a quest where there’s just not enough things to do. I’m at work now and can’t remember the area I was in this morning, but I was to go check suspicious bushes for bandits and kill them. I checked the entire area until I was out of heart quest range, and still had 25% of the heart left. So then I just stood there for a bit, but the NPCs quickly killed any bandits that showed up (not nice!). I guess I could have run into a completely different area for 5 minutes and come back, but what a waste of time. This has happened in other areas as well, with different quests – mainly, there just isn’t enough to do to complete the quest in some spots.

I would appreciate ANet to look at all the quests and maybe give them an increase in mobs, or bushes, or whatever, so that they’re attainable without wasting time or coming back later hoping that the things will reset so you can repeat the same ones. And really, it’s boring enough doing map completion for the 3rd time (or more) without having to repeat this stuff.

Welcome. I also find it odd that you got no response in chat. You might want to check that you are on map chat rather than say chat (so /m rather than /s in the chat box). I suggest you do find a guild – there is a subforum just for that! I’m not sure if you’re in EU or NA servers or whatnot, but our guild is great. Just keep in mind that if you want to WvW with your guild you should make sure it’s on the same server as you are. Otherwise guilds go cross servers for other events and such.

It would be beneficial to add another WP closer to the north/middle lanes for VW. I know it is a heck of a long treck if you die at North lane and have to WP and run back. This can easily eat up 2 mins or more if you get slowed by any mob. I’ve seen almost everyone dead at North and they just don’t even bother. South lane, there’s just no excuse not to WP, it literally takes 30 secs or less to get back to the fight. I’ve also seen quite a few people just standing around regardless of how well it’s going, but that’s just something we have to live with I guess.

Yes I taxi. Still a couple times it is as a fail. Of course it will still depend on afk’ers.

I also find evenings successful, on weekends in the morning or afternoon it’s been hit or miss. Should maybe mention I’m in NA region PST time.

Well personally I just don’t know. Sometimes I feel luckier than others. I do spend time mapping and I kill every mob I come across. I still find I get a LOT of junk. In SW I feel I do better. I have currently been running with about 450% MF (with boosters, etc), and I just don’t think I see that much of a difference, especially in “regular” maps. I can’t even remember the last time I got an exotic drop outside of SW. And it’s not like I just farm these places for long periods, so no DR should be kicking in. I’ve been completing maps on my 80 ranger. She gets garbage 99% of the time.

For any SW i highly suggest using the LFG tool. You can find them at all levels or a chest farm map. It’s the best way to find a map at least half way to breach.

Well I tried this build out last night (or at least a slight variation of it – I made sinister armor and threw in the 2 soldiers pieces, used sinister weapons, and all my trinkets are ascended zerker). I found that on the open field it worked well, though in the VW fight at north lane we all wiped a couple times due to overpowered champ mobs. And on breach I was at amber with the troll with uber AoEs all over and again, we all wiped and wrecked it for the whole map (sorry everyone!). However, I had not stopped to switch to LB from all melee. I feel that would have made a big difference, because when I use rifle on amber troll I never had a problem dodging all the AoEs. As for VW if it was just me that wiped multiple times I’d maybe say the build had something to do with it, but I think we just got outnumbered by high HP mobs and simply didn’t have enough people to cover.

Anyway, I’m going to continue using it for a while to give it a good test. It is more fun to play in a way than my rifle/GS build.

I suggest to take a stroll through this thread. Many people find it very helpful.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/players/OMG-If-you-only-knew-this-tips-for-new-players/page/5#post4739724

Hi Spartacus, thanks for posting this. It looks interesting and I think I shall give it a shot this weekend in the SW. It’s my favourite map by far and I’ve been using an all zerk GS/rifle build but I’m not getting super results. I have always liked having a ranged weapon though. How do you do when you face the champs during breach and VW, having to go melee range?

ozmaniandevil.6805:

Lilaith.4379:

exotic ’zerker set in abyss, midnight purple, and celestial white

I’ve always liked that light armor but just have never been able to get the right look for it with my own necro. Yours looks terrific

I am most jealous of your staff. I want that, but just can’t bring myself to spend the gold on it (around 700g last time I checked). I entered the halloween contest hoping to get one but nada…. sigh……

Well considering I run around with about 450% MF and I still get mostly garbage, I’m gonna have to say just ignore your MF as it is pretty much meaningless in the reality of an awful loot system.

If you really want to earn some gold/loot, you pretty much have to farm big events, like Vine Wrath, or do the Frostgorge Sound train, Teq, Triple Wurm, world boss train, etc. Just running around killing mobs is going to net you 99% junk with the infintisimal chance of something interesting/rewarding, regardless if you have 100% or 500% MF.

Well I bought the wings but at the moment I’m still liking the dragon wings best. Rose Dalila Ranae with Carapice legs and boots, Incarnate shirt, and dragon helm.