Support NeoGAF

[Hawkian]

Unless compelling new shortcuts for crafting or compelling new acquisition methods for ascended armor and weapons are coming as well, I will once again largely ignore the vertical stat increase in favor of making a bunch of gold off of people who have to have it right away...

Shame though, there's no need to bump it up again; on the other hand I imagine there was much internal pressure to include a new tier of gear in the expansion and there seems to be no chance of that. Solid shrug from me.

http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/3a1egw/623_why_is_ascended_gear_getting_stronger/



LOL. Ascended gear has been in the game for over two years. Get over it.

awww. hah. sometimes I really wonder if anyone who makes a comment like this has actually played a game with a gear treadmill.

 

[human onion]

Well I'm not a fan at all, however this may tie into the map reward system that they've announced, which would make ascendeds somewhat easier to acquire.

I'm assuming Legendaries will get the same boost.

I have the feeling that many of these changes will serve to make PVE easier anyway.

 

[Spyware]

I better start making my 40 new builds so they are ready next week when the changes go live.

 

[Moondrop]

New builds for the new trait system. I couldn't help myself.

Warrior: Terrior (co-created with Ike)
1. Strength
1a. Death from Above
1b. Body Blow
1c. Distracting Strikes
3. Defense
3a. Dogged March
3b. Defy Pain
3c. Last Stand
4. Tactics
4a. Leg Specialist
4b. Shrug It Off
4c. Vigorous Shouts
Sword+Mace/Hammer + Doom/Torment sigils
Healing Surge!/Shake It Off!/For Great Justice!/Fear Me!/Battle Standard
Celestial gear + Trooper/Hoelbrak runes
> This build uses hard CC and interrupts to proc AoE condis while supporting allies.

Ranger: Beastmaster Returns
1. Marksmanship
1a. Clarion Bond
1b. Moment of Clarity
1c. Predator's Onslaught
3. Wilderness Survival
3a. Oakheart Salve
3b. Refined Toxins
3c. Wilderness Knowledge
5. Beastmastery
5a. Resounding Timbre
5b. Natural Regeneration
5c. Zephyr's Speed
Greatsword/Shortbow + Water/Cleansing sigils
Troll Unguent/Lightning Reflexex/Sic 'Em/Muddy Terrain/Rampage as One
Nomad gear + Pirate runes
Jaguar/Canine/Bird?
> This build uses hard and soft CC to facilitate pet damage.

Elementalist: Fresher Air
1. Fire
1a. Burning Fire
1b. One with Fire
1c. Blinding Ashes
2. Air
2a. Zephyr's Boon
2b. Tempest Defense
2c. Fresh Air
4. Water
4a. Soothing Ice
4b. Soothing Disruption
4c. Cleansing Water
Scepter/Focus + Fire/Air sigils
Ether Renewal/Armor of Earth/Lightning Flash/Mist Form/Tornado
Berserker gear + Pack runes
> This build will hopefully be able to burst yet survive.

Mesmer: Anti-Pirate Ship Table-setter
1. Domination
1a. Confounding Suggestions
1b. Furious Interruption
1c. Power Block
3. Chaos
3a. Master of Manipulation
3b. Chaotic Dampening
3c. Prismatic Understanding
4. Inspiration
4a. Medic's Feedback
4b. Warden's Feedback
4c. Temporal Enchanter
Sword+Focus/Staff + Purity/Cleansing sigils
Mirror/Decoy/Mimic/Veil-Portal/Time Warp
Berserker-Soldier gear + Traveler runes
> This build locks down enemies while supporting allies with double veils of extended duration that grant superspeed.

Thief: Updated D/P Meta
1. Deadly Arts
1a. Mug
1b. Panic Strike
1c. Executioner
3. Shadow Arts
3a. Shadow's Embrace
3b. Hidden Thief
3c. Shadow's Rejuvenation
5. Trickery
5a. Thrill of the Crime
5b. Bountiful Theft
5c. Sleight of Hand
Dagger+Pistol/Shortbow + Fire/Air/Blood/Generosity sigils
Withdraw/Blinding Powder/Shadowstep/Shadow Refuge/Basilisk Venom
Berserker gear + Pack runes
> If you play PvP, you know what this build does. Now it will do it better.

Necromancer: PvP Power Wells
1. Spite
1a. Bitter Chill
1b. Rending Shroud
1c. Close to Death
4. Blood Magic
4a. Quickening Thirst
4b. Vampiric Presence
4c. Vampiric Rituals
5. Soul Reaping
5a. Unyielding Blast
5b. Vital Persistence
5c. Death Perception
Dagger+Focus/Staff + Fire/Blood Sigils
Consume Conditions/Well of Power/Well of Suffering/Well of Corruption/Lich Form
Berserker gear + Grove runes
> See Thief comment. Now with more group support.

However not inspired by the new engineer trait lines yet. Chillingsworth's build is RIP with the removal of the automated mines and quickness-on-interrupt traits.

 

[Vigilant Walrus]

http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/3a1egw/623_why_is_ascended_gear_getting_stronger/



LOL. Ascended gear has been in the game for over two years. Get over it.


Also, people are saying those patch notes might be fake? So maybe we'll find out something soon.

One of the comments hit it on the nail. There is nothing wrong with making the gap nuanced. The gap from rare, to exotic, to ascended, should and will make sense. The gradual curve should be real.

The problem with Ascended armor is that it is a pain, and just not fun. There are many fun goals of various lengths in this game. Getting a T3 armor is 125 gold. A lot of money that takes a considerable amount of time if you are playing by just doing dungeons and events. Even longer if your playstyle is not one where you do all the world bosses in rotation daily.
Ascended Armor is a gathering and crafting grind, but it's extremely convoluted and confusing, parts of it are time gated which are annoying. And the amount of stuff you need is outrageous.



I would like to see a uniquely themed Ascended armor for every elite specialization AND class.

3 Light Armors (Necromancer, Mesmer, Elementalist) , 3 Light Elite Specialization Armors (Chronomancer, Tempest, Reaper)

3 Medium Armors (Ranger, Engineer, Thief), 3 Medium Elite Specialization Armors (Druid, Engineer Specialization, Thief specialization)

3 Heavy Armors (Guardian, Warrior, Revernant), 3 Heavy Elite Specialization Armors (Dragon Hunter, Warrior Specialization, Revernant Specilaization)


To unlock a themed Ascended Weapon set like this, could be a really awesome 200-300 hour journey through HoT and parts of the old world (depending on how much you have done on that character).
It won't be quicker, it won't be easier, but you can work towards a set for a character that makes sense, and feels like you're making actual progress by just playing. I can open a tab and watch how many % I am towards my set, would be nice.

The path towards legendary is going to be too crazy for many. There is just no way, but this. This could be a really nice long term goal for less sadistic players.
Players can get them by doing dungeons, karma, wvw, spvp, world bosses. Just like precursor hunting; being asked to do a whole bunch of stuff. Explore HoT 100%, do all of the challenges, unlock the mastery trait lines.

 

[Proven]

Unless compelling new shortcuts for crafting or compelling new acquisition methods for ascended armor and weapons are coming as well, I will once again largely ignore the vertical stat increase in favor of making a bunch of gold off of people who have to have it right away...

Shame though, there's no need to bump it up again; on the other hand I imagine there was much internal pressure to include a new tier of gear in the expansion and there seems to be no chance of that. Solid shrug from me.

awww. hah. sometimes I really wonder if anyone who makes a comment like this has actually played a game with a gear treadmill.

I'm poor and this is my preferred way of making money too. Selling my supply of silk when I get home tonight. Although...

Well I'm not a fan at all, however this may tie into the map reward system that they've announced, which would make ascendeds somewhat easier to acquire.

I'm assuming Legendaries will get the same boost.

I have the feeling that many of these changes will serve to make PVE easier anyway.

I'm expecting the map reward system to be instrumental too. For me personally it'll likely become my preferred way of getting lower level materials on my level 80 characters.

 

[Minamu]

It seems quite a few of my currently selected traits aren't affected at all, or the list on dragon season have different names. In fact, I don't have a greatsword trait on my Mesmer called Imagined Burden, it's called Greatsword training. The dragon season list mentions nothing about a name change of that particular one. But overall, my current build isn't getting any weaker, apart from vigor, only better which is great I do have to reconsider my 6 points in Dueling, when that "imagined burden" seems like such a massive op trait and when I hardly ever use the S/P combo while maining greatsword, with 0 points in domination.

So, Blade training seems rather pointless to me and I mainly use the S/P for the P skills anyway. Confusing combatants is nothing I rely on but I guess confusion is getting buffed. Deceptive evasion is rather handy from time to time, but currently, shattering any phantasms isn't doing anything... earth shattering... beyond simply giving me one extra smallish damage boost that I don't rely on very often, but use a lot (maybe I'm playing the mesmer wrong?). Sharper images inflict bleed on crits and I have a 57% chance getting one of those but still, it's bleed and I barely ever notice it's there at this point in time. Phantasmal fury is pretty good and is getting a strange change, but it looks strange from the get go anyway. The way I read it is that you currently getting a 20% crit chance increase every 10 seconds. And the effect lasts for 11 seconds. Isn't that essentially a permanent 20% increase boost? The new change is 10 seconds of fury every 10 seconds. Seems the same to me? or perhaps it's a 10 second cooldown after those first 10 seconds, giving you 30 seconds of fury per minute of combat, if the phantasms stay alive that long of course. Pretty good stuff either way and that's an adept trait right now. Critical infusion is getting seriously nerfed in two ways, with half a second shorter duration and with vigor regen getting nerfed 50%. Major crap trait possibly. Seems like I have a lot of points I could put in domination.

Metaphysical rejuvenation isn't changing in any interesting way. Debilitating dissipation isn't changed at all, not even mentioned as far as I could see. Also seems a bit useless to me but I could be wrong as I haven't played without it since forever xD

Inspiration seems mainly buffed or ignored. Should I rearrange my stats for domination and get that imagined burden? What else if so? Like I said, I main the greatsword with S/P for the occasional backup only. Imagined burden would allow me to get out more phantasms a lot quicker and I tend to use mind wrack and cry of frustration as often as possible. I might be reading it wrong but again, by using spatial surge (gs 1), it looks to me like I'll be getting some massive might stacks by using my auto-attack and by letting phantasms use that too. Seems pretty crazy

 

[Ashodin]

It's a fair wager that most builds will be getting better than before. I'm fucking excited. Symbol guardian come to me!

 

[Minamu]

Yeah someone said perma-swiftness and now might stack with mesmers, nice! Although from what I could see, the swiftness is just a 5s thing in bursts?

 

[LumpOfCole]

So there's that E3 Guild Wars conference thing tonight, right? When and where should I be looking for that?

 

[Levyne]

So there's that E3 Guild Wars conference thing tonight, right? When and where should I be looking for that?

8 eastern, but I've been told that's when the "doors open" and it doesn't start until an hour later. That said, the thing is also a few hours long and I don't think anyone knows when Arenanet specifically will be talking.

 

[Retro]

So there's that E3 Guild Wars conference thing tonight, right? When and where should I be looking for that?

On http://www.twitch.tv/guildwars2 at 9:30 pm eastern / 6:30 pacific. Keep in mind it's not exclusively ArenaNet, for all we know they'll have 20 minutes, but they've got a bunch of the usual GW2 streamers / youtube people hosting.

 

[Ashodin]

GUILD HALLSSSSSSSSSSS

You know reading all these changes really sends it home that the game is fundamentally changing next week. It should feel like a nice refresh to the game for those who haven't played in a while.

Those who are currently playing will enjoy familiarity but new challenges to build new setups for their characters.

 

[LumpOfCole]

One of the things I think will happen, and it may be controversial, will be a pure-cash shop tab (ie, no trading in-game gold for gems in this tab) being created to sell Heart of Thorns bundles and perhaps other limited items.

 

[Shanlei91]

One of the things I think will happen, and it may be controversial, will be a pure-cash shop tab (ie, no trading in-game gold for gems in this tab) being created to sell Heart of Thorns bundles and perhaps other limited items.

I have a Reddit rant written out in anticipation for this.

 

[Zeroth]

We do know there will be three HoT editions, and that they can be purchased in-game, so its definitely possible. Tonight will be interesting.

 

[Proven]

On Phantasmal Fury, yes it's as simple as the Fury being given is equal to the cooldown of the trait. Basically it's just a way to leave boon rip or conversion as a counter play to the phantasm, like on Necro Axe #3.

On the new Greatsword training/mastery, Spacial Surge is the skill only used by the Greatsword clone, so you only get a slight benefit from using it with Mirror Blade and the trait only really comes into its own with Deceptive Evasion.

 

[UltimateIke]

I will miss the Boon and Condition Duration stats from trait lines. A Phalanx Strength Warrior will probably have to go back to using Strength Runes to stack any decent amount of Might, even if they are already using Fried Golden Dumplings.

 

[nataku]

I'm disappointed the mini pet rock doesn't roll when you start moving. Instead it just hops.

 

[Quenk]

People are going to make a killing off silk scraps

 

[hockeypuck]

You know reading all these changes really sends it home that the game is fundamentally changing next week. It should feel like a nice refresh to the game for those who haven't played in a while.

I just read that "Protective Reviver" and "Resolute Healer" are being combined into the Honor adept line. Wow. The first one gave Aegis, Regen and Protection upon successful ally revival and the second one put up a shield of absorption during reviving, with a 60s CD. Now both are being put into a single trait with a 24s CD. That's never leaving my sPvP line. IMO that buff is bigger than the Virtues AoE range nerf, even in sPvP.

 

[tiijj]

People are going to make a killing off silk scraps

They really need to a way to supply more silk.

 

[Levyne]

Don't have enough silk left to make much off of it, but glad I finished that last of the armor I needed a couple weeks ago instead of needing to do it now.

 

[Ashodin]

I just read that "Protective Reviver" and "Resolute Healer" are being combined into the Honor adept line. Wow. The first one gave Aegis, Regen and Protection upon successful ally revival and the second one put up a shield of absorption during reviving, with a 60s CD. Now both are being put into a single trait with a 24s CD. That's never leaving my sPvP line. IMO that buff is bigger than the Virtues AoE range nerf, even in sPvP.

yeah it seems pretty dope, I'm digging the traits that give you temporary stacking buffs like Healing Power if you use Signets and such.

 

[Quenk]

They really need to a way to supply more silk.

I really think they need to adjust the silk required for damask. 3 scraps per bolt is in line with some other mats but 100 bolts per spool is ridiculous. Everything else is 50 to craft the timegated mat :<

 

[shysaursoft]

Finally figured out my issue with GEMFX.

It was something from the damn Razer software, called "rzstats.manager.exe". Kill that process, stuff like GEMFX and SweetFX work with GW2 again.

 

[nataku]

Just an FYI, the PCGaming show is starting now, but the ANet twitch channel says:

Guild Wars 2 E3 Show and Guild Halls Presentation | 6:30pm-8:00pm PDT

So, 24 minutes from this post for the ANet channel I guess. I'm not sure how exactly they'll split things between the two. Maybe some sort of quick announcement on the PC Gaming show, then a lot more info at the ANet channel.

 

[Trey]

Don't have enough silk left to make much off of it, but glad I finished that last of the armor I needed a couple weeks ago instead of needing to do it now.

Well, shit. I still need to make a full set.

They really need to a way to supply more silk.

They'll most likely change the recipe.

 

[Shiokazu]

hey guys. the anet channel is live.

 

[Retro]

hey guys. the anet channel is live.

Yeah, so far just four talking heads just speculating wildly with zero info.

 

[Shiokazu]

Yeah, so far just four talking heads just speculating wildly with zero info.

yup.
i wish there was a person to translate pc conference there because i cant understand a thing.

they talk about cores and numbers and techy stuff and im all "ok... what is this about?"

 

[Sonicbug]

I just have to say..... the pet rock is amazing. Best pet ever.

 

[Retro]

Alright, Colin just walked out on the stage, time to tune in;
http://www.twitch.tv/GuildWars2

 

[NormalFish]

we're getting the pretty mountain ruins with the reddish stone, right? Please don't make me spend more time in a place that looks like the silverwastes, I beg of you.

 

[Aquila]

That's no hall. That's a city.

 

[MattyG]

Oh goddamn. I have to catch up to you all so I can participate in the conquest of the GafGuild Hall!

 

[Ploid 3.0]

My goodness...

 

[Anno]

So we build the arena first, right?

 

[NormalFish]

So we build the arena first, right?

also this.

Prepurchase up *now*

 

[nataku]

Colin talks a mile a minute, lol.

 

[Aquila]

Pre-purchase up now.

So we build the arena first, right?

Turn it into a puzzle prison and throw our more trollish members in.

 

[Shiokazu]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IM FUCKING BROKE AND DOLLAR RATES ARE UNFAILY HIGH AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW


;-; have fun guild.

 

[zulux21]

3 types to choose from

 

[nataku]

Wonder if they won't have CE, then. I don't really want to pre-purchase if they're going to.

$50 for the base game though. That's honestly more than I thought it would be. No character slot for the base game, either, which I didn't expect. Hmm.

 

[Tech-Wolf]

Hummm, I dunno which one to pick. Is ultimate really that worth it?

 

[shysaursoft]

I'd hold off on buying HoT until they explain what people who already own the core game are supposed to do. $50 to buy the game, plus xpac, if you already own the game, obviously isn't right.

 

[Trey]

hold on. were those mursaat in the trailer?

 

[Nemesis121]

$50 is too much, hoping since Core game is coming with it i can give it to friends.

 

[Vigilant Walrus]

Hummm, I dunno which one to pick. Is ultimate really that worth it?

4000 gems!!

 

[_woLf]

50 dollars for an expansion pack is a straight up joke.

WOW.