Short Version
I would like to request the ability to disable the profession "aura effect" such as the one that fills up the screen when a Ranger is Soulbeast-merged. This setting would only affect the local player (in other words, other players would still see the effect if they wanted, this would just be to turn it off for yourself.) I would be happy if it were a checkbox in settings or even an item you buy on the gem store.
Long Version
So, I played for a little bit in 2012, but didn't stick with it. I was turned off by the class I tried then (Mesmer) and the lack of mounts (i.e., the slow pace of traveling.) The game just wasn't as good back then either. But, I returned a month or so ago, playing a Ranger, and I have really enjoyed it! I had almost no complaints ...until last night when I unlocked my Soulbeast specialization...
The effects during and outside of combat have been just right, in my opinion. But, someone lost their minds when they created the Ranger "merge" ability in the Soulbeast specialization. Suddenly, my character is basically ON FIRE all the time (green swirlies and green leaves floating up, etc.. ..but the effect on the eyes is not much different than if the character had green flames all over him and rising from him.) Am I the only one who thinks this is just obnoxious? I mean, it'd be fine if it were an effect for a couple seconds and went away ....or, if the effect was just a glow or something -- but, it's VERY visually distracting.
The idea of seeing this for hours at a time is really depressing and I'm having a hard time being excited to play, when just a couple days ago I was really loving everything and looking forward to the endgame. The notion of having the screen full of these really "loud" effects constantly is just awful. And, to be frank, I'm just not interested in playing another character right now -- I want to enjoy this one! And, yes, I realize there are other specializations (or can play without one), but that's just silly ....Rangers want to enjoy the Soulbeast specialization, and it requires being merged -- yes, I might play Druid eventually, etc. but I want to enjoy the Soulbeast specialization.
Many of you may think I'm making a big deal out of nothing -- that's fine, everyone is allowed their opinion. Personally, I'm just surprised and amazed that there aren't more people pitching a fit about this. How did this even get out of testing without a revolt? I'm just stunned by it.
Anyway, I understand that in PVP it is necessary to recognize someone who is Soulbeast merged -- this is why my suggestion specifically mentions a LOCAL toggle (in other words, it only affects the player who sets the toggle -- everyone else still sees the effect like before.) Otherwise, I hope that others agree that this is a worthwhile suggestion. It seems a pretty straightforward and easy thing to implement as well. Finally, for those who might say things like "They won't want to spend development time on this", etc., I have also included in my suggestion that this could be something that could be charged for in the gem store. I'd EASILY pay 1-2k gems for the ability to disable this obnoxious effect 🙂
Thanks!