As someone just getting into GW2 I would have to agree that the current implementation of the gathering tools has left me a bit underwhelmed.
At least having some type of pop-up for new folks like me that first time I try to pick up some Iron with a Copper mining pick that says I’m going to ruin the ore if I continue to gather. I wasn’t paying attention to what was actually going into my bags until I had several nodes gathered. Made me kinda sad to waste that ore.
Same thing with the other items I was collecting in that zone. Had a whole bunch of junk to sell once I figured out what was going on.
If you keep the current setup then add a pop-up to warn you when you are gathering with a tool lower than the node and it will be ruined.
Stacking more would be nice, although a permanent set of gathering tools would be the best solution if you ask me. It does suck to be out in the world and run out of them. Sure you can just way point back and pick some up, but that cuts into play time, and you can’t way point back to exactly where you were so you can’t just pick and resume without having a nice little hike.
