phaserBanks.7386

I don't like jumping puzzles, but I've gotten through a couple by using the "Teleport to Friend" item and finding a post in LFG where I could use it to complete the jumping puzzle and get the chests I normally couldn't do. Timing of course is the key because the JP (in LFG) you want has to be available when you are so you'll have to be patient and probably do other events until then.

One way is to salvage items from enemy drops. I don't recall needing to buy ecto because I've gotten it from salvaging alone.

Have you tried opening the map, seeing the Commander then right-clicking on it and select Join? It's an alternative to using LFG.

By "enjoy" I'm guessing you mean the playing aspect of the game, so maybe yes because GW2 in general is a fun game and SOTO is enjoyable too. But if you care about the story, jumping to SOTO can be a little confusing. It would be like watching Return of the King without seeing Fellowship of the Ring or The Two Towers first. But I think there may be new players who did just that and don't mind. This all really depends on the player. SOTO is the only expansion that I could complete with all the achievements (as indicated on my Hero panel). I couldn't do that with any of the others, so having said that, for me, SOTO is probably the easiest compared to the others. The other expansions are more challenging, at least that is my opinion since I'm not close to completing all the achievements for them.

I think gathering essences completes some achievements which are listed in the Hero panel. If you don't care about those then you can pass on those.

I've played GW2 since it first came out years ago and I still play it as a new player. My first character was an engineer. Since then I've created several characters up to my current Druid but for every character, I've never played them exactly as they were designed (engineer, thief, druid, etc.). Never got close to getting legendary gear only ascended. So yeah I'm in the same boat as "new players" because of my play style. My recommendation, is to complete your personal story, complete every map (vistas, points of interests, waypoints, etc.) and especially join groups in meta events. You can do the strike missions, fractals too if you wish. Doing all these will gain lots of experience points to get those achievements and masteries. I've done this for every character I created and goes by rather quickly if you keep doing it.

If you're referring to the Minor and Greater chests, don't worry. They just contain typical loot. I haven't gotten anything of any importance yet or anything that is related to a quest. Maybe others here have but so far none for me. As others here have mentioned, participate in events and definitely complete the maps. Those will certainly aid in your progression and completion of the masteries.

Don't worry. SOTO will be around for some time and I'm sure the price will come down after some time just like the other expansions have.

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One of classes I played for a very long time is the Deadeye which also mastered all the crafting professions. I use that character to craft for my other characters. When End of Dragons came out, I created a Druid which has been my primary character ever since. However, about my experience with the Deadeye, it can be a very tedious character to play. Fights can be tough alone against 3 or more enemies close by but not so much if you're part of a group. Having said that, if one of your goals is to complete as many of the achievements as possible, some achievements are only completable by specific professions. Some necessary items drop only if killed by a specific profession. This is especially the case if you want to complete Specialization Collections. In general, you should enjoy playing any profession.

Personally, "what you need" depends on what your goals for your character are. It can vary for each profession and the quests your are embarking on. When I first started, I did not know either until I began to realize I had to have goals. For example, one of my goals was to have one character master all the crafting skills. So, when I was in that mood, I had that character only gather materials and maximize every crafting skill. Many players may not choose this option as it is very tedious and time consuming. After that character mastered all crafting, my next goal was to craft ascended gear for my other characters. So once again, I had to gather materials I didn't have in inventory and the bank. Anything else I don't immediately need I sell. If I am unsure, I just research the items if I might need them later on. Sometimes you may know right away if the description says it is used in crafting Ascended or Legendary gear so that it may be something to keep for later on. Some players may just sell everything to get as much gold quickly to buy the gear. There's no wrong or right way because each player has a different style of playing the game. However, since you will need higher level gear as you progress, buying or selling items will be necessary whether you craft items or not. These are just a fundamental concepts of managing inventory and the bank.

For me, I maxxed out my Thief character with all the crafting skills. I use my Druid primarily now, but I turn to my Thief to craft items for all my other characters.

For several months that happened to me too and the only way for it to stop was to complete the achievement, but I wasn't skilled enough to complete the New Kaineng Strike Mission. However, after completing the latest Gyala Delve map, I realized I could purchase the item only previously available by completing the Strike Mission. Once I got it, talking to Rota in Arborstone unlocked the Siege Turtle ending it from following me around. I only wish Arenanet could update the game with more workarounds for users having trouble in certain parts of the game like I did.

It sounds like you're doing pretty good. As others have already recommended earlier, exploring and getting 100% completion in each map is one of the primary goals I usually go for first. I always complete all the Level 1 maps then upward from there to the Level 80 maps. Along the way, your character would have gotten to Level 80 and acquired a lot of experience and upgraded gear. This is the typical method to play. But by all means, join groups to complete achievements and beat enemies faster than doing it alone. Maybe you'll meet friends too. The GW2 community is very welcoming and helpful.

My first character if I recall was an Engineer and it was a tedious grind to get world completion in the original game. I created other characters trying different professions and one of the longest running was the Thief. When End of Dragons came out, I created a Druid character which I'm still using. Point being, I think you may create different characters depending on what goals you want to accomplish. You develop different skills with each profession and will have different strategies for each too. Its also fine to stick with the one you're most comfortable with. But back to Thief, I had a lot of fun playing that character. That's the only character I mastered all the crafting skills with so I switch to that character to do all the crafting for the other characters.

Since you already have PoF, you only have to purchase the expansions you don't have. Once you have those, everything else will be available to you including the Living World seasons.

Keep in mind the time mentioned is if your goal is just to complete it once and if you beat Soo-Wan. If you want to complete some achievements, it will require completing the meta multiple times. For example, after beating Soo-Wan there is an achievement where you'll need to go down a chasm and have a conversation with a character. But to complete the achievement, you have to have different conversations. Only one conversation occurs after your beat Soo-Wan so you'll have to beat Soo-Wan at least a couple of more times to earn the achievement.

From what I understand any of the professions can do quite well. Success depends on the player. In your case, you can succeed as well even with your existing character. What I always do with any character I create is start from scratch. Since you already have a character, I would start with the all Level 1 maps first, complete all the renowned hearts, complete the hero challenges, etc. and get 100% map completion working your way up to the level 80 maps, eventually getting 100% world completion. Along the way you'll be completing the masteries too plus you'll improve your skills. A lot of these can be achieved by simply participating in events with lots of players. The original base game never had mounts so you can complete the original world map without them. You can even try out Fractals and WvW if you choose. By this point you should be experienced and happy with your progress.

For me, I bought the base game long before it was free and did so transitioning from the original Guild Wars. As far as freebies, as an Amazon Prime member, every once and a while I get free content from Prime Gaming. I've gotten a pet dog whistle, mail delivery carrier, EOD shirt outfit, etc. These are earth shattering stuff so I don't recommend getting Prime just for this but free content is always welcome.

Yes, I confirm to stream with OBS on YouTube. Worked fine, but no one watched so I gave it up. So the tech won't be a problem, its getting viewers, at least for me. But I believe you'll have better success than me.

Thanks. If I had any skills I'd try joining again. I'm only good for myself but its not good in a team environment which is why I get kicked out.

There are plenty of build links out there and on YouTube so there is no shortage of info should you need to fine tune your character.

Oh the official wiki http://wiki.guildwars2.com is THE best place to get detailed info. Trust me. It will be your best friend immediately. As far as specializations, that really depends on your play style. You'll get to the elite specializations simply by playing. That's why I don't look at those as goals. If you enjoy fractals, PvP, strike missions, etc. you'll get there more quickly than say the typical methods of completing map goals. But mostly, just play and you'll realize there are lots of satisfying things to discover.

Don't worry, you're not the only casual player. I am too. I am no expert. I can't play fractals, WvW, PvP, and I even get kicked out of Strike Missions. Take your time to get familiar with things and you'll get really good in no time.

DISCLAIMER: I am not an expert! But maybe I can answer some questions. The story lines should all be still there. I've completed the personal stories for at least 3 races already. The expansions have additional story content so I recommend playing them in the order released. Mounts are helpful and each can be used in different situations. For example, one mount may be more helpful than another to accomplish a goal. However, you don't have to depend on mounts for everything. For example, if you use mounts simply to get from point A to point B to avoid using your own feet, you may miss many achievements by passing them by quickly. However, if you have a goal to simply scale a mountain, then yeah a mount can be useful for that. Note, you may also miss out on something getting to the top faster as well but that all depends on that particular situation. The console on the upper right is extremely useful, listing things you can achieve. One thing you may realize early on is trying to balance whether to accumulate currency or resources. What I usually do is equip the best armor and weapons as soon as you realize I've obtained them. Then the rest can be either deposited or sold. As you get better equipment equip the new then sell or salvage them. You don't have to follow what I've recommended as I'm no expert, but maybe it may help shine some light on things.