[Can EoD introduce the concept or earning some mount skins in game?]

3 minutes ago, kharmin.7683 said:

Putting mount skins behind specific in-game content will populate that content until the player obtains their skin.  Afterward, they will no longer engage in that content (generally speaking).  Why would Anet spend resources on content that could be "one and done" for players?

Don’t know how to tell you but, Anet already does that. Players already do specific things in the game for a specific reward. The answer is that you don’t have a single reward for content so that reward-driven players have a reason to want to play past one goal and you can also make the content fun and challenging. If content is engaging and has some benefit outside a mount skin then you’ll still see people play. If people can’t conquer a challenge on the first try then you’ll see repeated attempts at success. 

[What are your plans if Tengu do come?]

I’d make one of course! Love the Tengu, it would give me a reason to actually make a new character now that I have more than enough slots for existing professsions.

[Please consider changing the title for Mursaat Overseer CM , Committed Title is repeated in achievements]

Consider making the food actually an ascended feast also! Lacking any prefix modifier or max Cele stat, it would be a convenient open world food but not be so strong it’s used in Raids.

[Next 3 elite specs?]

1 hour ago, Chrysaliss.8720 said:

 

Well acording to the icons on the website. My guess would be Thief, Ele and Revenant.

 

29 minutes ago, Lurker.3609 said:

Not sure where in these three icons is a safe guess warrior.

You are both correct, I got ahead of myself there. The eye icon is most likely Rev. I was thinking of the bullet.

[Next 3 elite specs?]

Looking at the icons incoming, Thief, Ele, and War are safe guesses. This assumes they reordered the icons to be in release order now. 
 

Edit: whoops got ahead of myself. I meant rev not war 

[9th Birthday Disappointment [Merged]]

The title being the same as Mursaat Overseer CM is just embarrassing oversight. Change the MO CM title to something more fitting Anet! 

 

It’s also disappointing that the dyes this year are just one and the cake isn’t an ascended food. You could have it be ascended buffs without any prefix modifiers like peppercorn or cilantro and the stats could be slightly lower than regular ascended cele food.

 

If this is where we go on year 9 after year 8, I shudder to think of what year 10 would be!

[Why do you follow Content Creators?]

If they provide the info I need, if I can tolerate listening to them, if they can be positive on things that are worth commending Anet on, and if they are open about something being bad when Anet messes up. 
 

That’s what I care about. I want creators that provide expertise and entertainment while keeping their expectations of the game fair.

[What Do You Think Dragon Jade will entail]

My guess is it'll be the primary power source for Cantha and they won't be thrilled about the idea of killing off all the dragons and turning their power source into a finite thing. Also a mastery associated with it. What would be really cool is if the waypoints there are powered by it and have a different appearance.

[When are the anniversary sales?]

2 hours ago, LadyEden.7519 said:

Don't the Anniversary Sales starts around the time the first annual birthdays come up?

 

So that would be around the 25th, no?

No they usually start either around this time or in 2019 it was even earlier. The sales are also revealed daily so it is a bit more obvious.
 

The gem store will cycle out the East Asian-inspired items in a few hours and maybe we will see an announcement or new sales then. If this actually is the anniversary sale then I hope a weekly sale schedule has a lot more sales offered. So far it’s just 3 outfits.

[Improving Info and Direction for New Players]

Well my post wasn’t arguing that it would be a simple task for the devs, merely that would be a positive improvement on the New Players Experience. I do like the New Player Guide they made but it does not go nearly in depth enough on important aspects of the game like traits, gear augmentations, or masteries. Also, again, that is outside the game. 
 

I don’t value hypotheticals as legitimate criticism for giving players more information unless there is hard data on zero direction increasing player count more than otherwise. We know for a fact that most players are not performing even remotely close to those who actually understand how to play the game (anyone remember Mike Z talking about hardcore players doing 10 times the damage of average players?). Improving player direction and info even a tiny bit isn’t going to turn the game into a theme-park mmo.

[Improving Info and Direction for New Players]

1 hour ago, DeanBB.4268 said:

I think the game is too dynamic for the game itself to recommend stats based upon weapons and traits. That sounds a lot like "let Windows manage your printers." (Never a good idea, you end up with an email printing on the 36"x24" plotter)

The game itself does not set the Meta, players do -- but of course based upon what the game provides. If a trait shifts via an update, then the devs would have to follow through with whatever triggers the "suggested gear" to make sure it still reflects accurately.

Specific weapons and trait lines can absolutely help to direct a player towards certain stat sets. If your warrior has swords and Arms equipped then include more condi focused sets. If they have a greatsword and Strength then you recommend more power-focused sets. If they have a mix then they can change things around and see how the recommendations change. Any of that is getting the player to pay more attention than existing gearing.

1 hour ago, DeanBB.4268 said:

And what if the player base disagrees with the "suggested gear?"

Then they don't have to equip it?

1 hour ago, DeanBB.4268 said:

And what if the "suggested gear" is very expensive or unavailable due to expansions owned? I see too many problems with such a scenario.

Then you increase accessibility to the stat type? Or you can inform them of places to acquire gear easily like Verdant Brink. Don't recommend stat combos for expansion they don't have. There aren't as many problems here as you think.

[Improving Info and Direction for New Players]

1 hour ago, Danikat.8537 said:

I think the level 80 boost intentionally includes less than ideal stats on your equipment so players have an incentive to go out and get something else. It's good enough to start playing at level 80, not the first and last set of equipment you'll ever need on that character.

 

(I'm also not sure it's supposed to be a tutorial. The tutorial is levelling to 80, the boost is a way to skip that process and I think it should be obvious that one of the downsides of doing that is you will skip the opportunity to learn about the game along the way.)

 

I like the idea of adding info to the wardrobe on where to get different skins as I think that would be useful for a lot of people (it might also help address the assumption some players have that everything except the few skins available as drops comes from the gem store) but I don't like the idea of achievements on your watch list constantly nagging you to complete them. I'd be ok with it if:

a) It's done via the content guide, so if that's turned off you don't get nagged and they just sit there quietly.

b) There's a way to disable achievement tracking entirely if you're not working on any right now. (I know there is an option to hide 'objectives' which includes achievements, but that also includes events, story and everything else in that list so it's no good here.)

 

As it is I typically track an achievement I have no intention of completing any time soon just to stop it showing the entire list of dailies so I really don't want it constantly prompting me to complete that achievement.

Having recommendations on equipment could help players pursue better stats than what the 80 boost offers, that's for sure. I also don't think players should have to fully sacrifice learning the game to boost. The core game is quite dated and some people just want to leap into the fresh content. They will miss out on story and context, but I think it's practical to keep everyone up to speed mechanically.

 

My thoughts were the same on it being on the content guide. Having it visible with your other objectives on the right side bar would be a suitable way to help direct players. It could even integrate the tech where clicking on it zooms you to the general location on the map, like the Holo stampedes in Dragon Bash.

[Improving Info and Direction for New Players]

Guild Wars 2 is the MMO that gives players too much freedom. It is great that players can customize their builds, explore all across the world map, and engage in content without having to be stuck in hard roles. What is the benefit of a more structured, on-rails experience though?

 

Progress. Direction. That feeling that you know what you should do with your play time.

 

GW2 lacks these things and as a result many new players can feel aimless. They get lost in all that freedom. They run builds with mismatched gear (or no stats selected at all) and weird runes. They don't understand where to go after 80, or what role their class covers. There are external resources that help answer these questions, but it has been a failure of the game that the internal direction is so poor.

With the upcoming expansion, here are some things that I think would improve the new player experience in the game:

1. A recommended setting for gearing. When a player selects their traits and weapon, the game should propose a list of recommended stat types they should consider. You still let the player choose the gear, but you encourage them to connect their gear stats with their intended damage type.
2. Overhaul the Achievement Page/Wardrobe: There are lots of rewards in the game to pursue (and a billion collections buried within each other). Hovering over an achievement reward or wardrobe item should direct the player on how they can get started pursuing what they want. Putting an achievement on your watch list should improve the UI direction towards progressing the achievement.
3. Fix the level 80-boost: Yes, I know they just fixed it. What I mean is they should reconsider what they give players. Soldiers? Really? Rabid is alright on Necro but Carrion might be better. Ele should be given Celestial as Ele is a very mixed damage profession. Most other professions could be given Marauders. Runes and Sigils should also not come pre-equipped. Inform the player of what upgrades are and how they work. This boost is supposed to be a tutorial! Teach people!

 

I made this to express some areas needing improvement for helping new players feel progress and direction. Please add any areas that you see, or that you may have struggled with! 

[Thank You for Gen 3 Legendaries]

Anet creating the lore section of the Armory to detail the history of each legendary piece does lend me to believe that they view the weapons as "iconic". We know they changed this stance being motivated to get 16 weapons out on release, and we can assume they are also motivated to make a set that is cheaper for players to craft. Functionally, this has its benefits. Aesthetically, it is a huge loss for a third gen of weapons. 

I recognize that Anet wants to improve accessibility of stat-swapping for players, but they could have done so with other options that don't involve sacrificing a generation of legendaries to do so. I think about the Caladbolg weapon. Expanding on that concept to give players a stat-swappable weapon of their choice (ascended or even legendary at the end sure) would have been less controversial than the path they are on.

I'll hope that a unique, interesting Gen 4 could come with LS6. That isn't off the table.

[Thank You for Gen 3 Legendaries]

2 minutes ago, ChronoPinoyX.7923 said:

I have no idea why basics of game development is being involved here, Obtena probably didn't phrase things correctly. 

 

From where I'm observing, the argument they were trying to make is that ANet took a different approach to the design philosophy of their Legendary Weapons design and development, and it would be a waste not to utilize the "new approach" (new as in new for ANet) if they were going to make just one set. Technical jargon isn't going to cover the fact that their approach to designing Legendary weapons is different this time around. Whether they actually do more with their new approach remains to be seen, but it's not necessarily out of the water for them to make more than just one set. 

Sure but we literally don’t have the information that they will make more sets like Gen 3, and the entirety of Obtena’s argument on this topic appears to be that its unreasonable to assume they won’t (which is just presumptive without evidence) and that this approach is better (which is subjective but also dismissive of how binary an entire set is on player preference). I also find any argument over the pace of Gen 2 weapon release to be flawed since starting with Eureka they clearly lined up the weapons to release with story episodes. So their release was both a development matter and a marketing one.

[The improved healthbar depletion colour from the pof beta was present again in the virtuoso showing, are we finally gonna get it in the live game with eod (also breakbar values)?]

Tool tips for actual Breakbar damage please. I know lots don't read their skills but the ones who do should have better information on how to break bars!

[Thank You for Gen 3 Legendaries]

34 minutes ago, Obtena.7952 said:

Um, that's literally wrong based on the fact they purposefully put the 's' at the end of Set in that statement to indicate that in FACT, we will get multiple sets (themes) for legendary weapons across all weapons. The question isn't IF we get multiples, it's how many. We AREN'T going to get multiple 'sets' in the 'Aurene' style, because the Aurene style is ONE style.

 

I get it, you want a whole bunch of unique themes, EVEN if it's a single weapon that gets them that gives the HIGH probability you might not like it or might not be able to use it on a preferred class. That model NEVER made any sense statistically if you consider the work and the player coverage of desirability. It's entirely reasonable Anet made this change because Gen1 and 2 are simply too restrictive to make those weapons desirable to enough people given the work that goes into making them. 

There's no evidence of multiple sets and it's coping to say otherwise. They can add more in the future if they wish. Feel free to reach out to them for clarification if you can't accept that. Your argument that Unique sets are worse is fair if a player only cares about a single weapon. For anyone who wants to make more than one weapon, a weapon set that is unappealing is unappealing for EVERY WEAPON. It's far worse. I'm tired of repeating this point to you. Anet made this change to make it easier to develop legendary weapons, and you are again welcome to ask them to clarify their rationale.

[Thank You for Gen 3 Legendaries]

55 minutes ago, Obtena.7952 said:

There was a suggestion on the website somewhere that we are going to see SETS, plural and one of those is clearly the Aurene set. So what I'm saying isn't just some pure speculation and I have no motive to lie about it. I wish I could remember where I seen that, I would post the link.

 

Statistically, multiple themes across all weapons, even if there are fewer themes than previous generations, will be more engaging to players and more valuable as an asset to Anet than one theme per weapon. 

 

I stumbled upon this ... sums it up well enough (and includes the reference to the multiple sets in it)  

 

Again, both you and WP are missing the fact that the website states "Up your arsenal with new spectacular sets of third generation legendary weapons and precursors." Here's the link:

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/end-of-dragons/

 

Could we get multiple sets in this style? Sure. Do we have any indication that we will? None. Zero. It is pure speculation. Going off of what we have right now, Gen 3 legends are mono-themed. This is way less variety offered than a unique gen. People who want matching sets of weapons should look at BL sets.

[Legendary armor is... Locked for some people.]

2 hours ago, Dawdler.8521 said:

TL;DR if you want legendary armor, be it WvW, sPvP (well you need gold so its unlikely you 100% everything in sPvP) or PvE a full ascended set of optmized gear for specific builds (raiding, roaming, open world, zerging, take your pick) is pretty much a prerequisite. Because it takes months and months to get it. Running around in the "wrong" gear waiting for your legendary is pointless.

For raiding exotic is fine. Grab ascended weapons and trinkets.

[Humbly requesting a way to turn off legendary trinket effects]

I know they have explored easy options and shelved it for now, but I still wonder if manipulating the buff given by the trinkets could work. Just thinking about the training console in the Raid Golem area, that is an interactable object that can give you permanent boons. Since the trinket effect operates off of a buff, a similar interactable object should be able to provide the trinket buff no? Having more than 3 stacks could have a "nothing" effect, so players that interact with the object essentially turn off their trinket effects. If they wanted to come up with a better solution down the line, you'd remove the interactable.

[Legendary armor is... Locked for some people.]

2 hours ago, Maiku Larzon.7150 said:

Hey all. Just wanted to hear what other people think about locking the Perfected Envoy armor behind raids. (my opinion, best looking armor) 

 

I have the problem that i am a assassin/Berserker Soulbeast, so no one wants me in their raids. They tell me to switch to druid and get healer runes. 

It makes me sad that i am forced to change everything i have worked for, to get a armor set... 

Am i the only one that feels like this or does any1 else? Fell free to tell me. Cause if i am not alone, Anet might change if enough of us speaks up 🙂

As others have said, if certain groups need a healer then clearly they don’t want a dps, which is a plentiful role. Also as a power soulbeast you can just run full berserkers. Look up a build guide on SC or meta battle or such and practice a rotation on that. Join one of the raid training discords like Raid Academy and you will be fine. Or just make your own groups in LFG.

[Please add unique mount skins as achievements]

This thread disappoints me. Yes, Anet is operating a B2P model so yeah, the cash shop is their primary form of steady currency. Does that mean that the cash shop should be the only access to mount/glider/presumably boat skins?

 

By this logic, why are any cool skins at all outside the cash shop? Why are there cool armor or weapon skins outside the cash shop? Why aren’t legendaries just plain weapons? Anet has to make money you know! 
 

OP didn’t even ask to remove cosmetics from the cash shop. He/she is merely requesting that certain cosmetics not be exclusively cash shop, and that is perfectly fair. Let us have some mount skins that take real dedication to pursue. Something with more substance than the warclaw reward track, but not necessarily tied to legendaries like the 3 gliders.

[Thank You for Gen 3 Legendaries]

16 minutes ago, Obtena.7952 said:

Even though we all love MOAR SKINZ ... there is a very reasonable business case for what they did with Gen 3 legendaries. 

 

To be frank, creating a new theme for EVERY weapon was a big waste of assets. SO what I suspect will happen ... we will get more legendary 'sets' with the same thing. For me, that's more appealing ... because really, want my Juggernaut effects on weapons that aren't a Hammer ... I like my bloodstone effects from Eureka ... but I can only see it when I use a mace. 

 

Gen3 approach does make alot of sense. 

Well you might find that for quite a number of people, each legendary being unique with it’s own appearance and history is not in fact a waste of assets, even if you find sets personally appealing. 
 

What does feel like an actual waste is designing lore blurbs associated with the armory for each item, only to then make the next generation of weapons entirely the same thing.

[Thank You for Gen 3 Legendaries]

2 hours ago, Inculpatus cedo.9234 said:

Well, it is stated 'Sets', and not 'Set'. 

I'm guessing that's not a typo. 

If we are going to be meticulous, the exact phrasing is "sets of gen 3 legendary weapons and precursors". The plural refers to legendaries and precursors. We are getting one set.

[HOUSING - WHY WE STILL DONT HAVE IT?]

1 minute ago, Ardenwolfe.8590 said:

From my experiences, housing kills communities because everyone goes to their house instead of a central hub (city) of sorts. While I’m not opposed to housing, as far as trophies and displays I love, I can understand the hesitation to add it for the reasons I stated.

 

Still, they added fishing, so you never know.

The real reason we probably don't have housing is Anet already killed this themselves with lounge passes.