New/Returning Player, have some questions.

[RavenousTofu.4928]

Hey all! So technically returning to GW2 after 8 years, but by technically I mean I only got to level 10 or so on one character, so basically a new player in all regards.

Recently saw some media about GW2 and decided to =try it again, and I'm loving it so far! Took in a fair amount of tips/beginners guides but still have some questions that have popped up while I've been playing.

1. So far I've been salvaging every piece of gear I don't need for material and luck. Is there a certain luck/value threshold when I shouldn't just salvage everything? 

 

2. Having returned, I think some of the achievements and or systems around it updated without my actual status on them changing. Like for example despite 100%ing Wayfarer Foothills, the achievement "Wayfarer Foothills Novice Explorer" is only listing me as having 1 of the 20 requisites. I completed most of them AFTER returning but not sure why or how I'm supposed to fix this. Can't very well rediscover POI/Waypoints. Should I try and complete on another character?

3.Started up a Necromancer and while I love the Shroud mechanic, is there any way I can view the Shroud replacement skills without entering it? I know some Specs later on also replace skills and I have a hard time actually intaking information when I only have it available for limited time (usually in combat). Would also be helpful with my Norn shapeshifting skills.

4.Mounts. As much as I love exploring the speed can be painful sometimes. I'm aware mounts are an expac thing. What's the quickest way I can go about getting one once I'm eligible?

5. I have a buttload of Lvl Boosters, mainly from Bday gifts. I'm holding onto them for now as I like naturally leveling. What are good situations to use these levels boosts? While I aim to eventually have one of each class, I'm not really looking to have multiple of each.

 

6. While I'm not planning to spend irl money on the game...for now, I'm curious what the best gem shop items/services would be if I get enough gems eventually. I've already eyed the bank and inventory upgrades.

 

7. Last but not least. While I love GW2's weapon system, I'm noticing that certain weapons clearly are intended for either group content (IE support and healing) or possibly harder content/pvp (Defensive). While I'm very happy using a greatsword to smack things, I was also hoping to be able to play as 1h+Shield Guardian. Unfortunately the shield seems to be primarily reactive defensive skills, which makes sense but also seems very suboptimal for solo play. What content are shields generally used for?

Thanks for any and all help! 

[Inculpatus cedo.9234]

You can find many of the answers you seek in the Wiki (link above and in-game by typing /wiki [topic of choice] in chat). 

The easiest way to get a Raptor and/or Springer is with the End of Dragons expansion, though it requires a L80 character, if solo.  (Check aforementioned Wiki.)

Welcome return and good luck.

[Ashantara.8731]

4 hours ago, RavenousTofu.4928 said:

1. So far I've been salvaging every piece of gear I don't need for material and luck. Is there a certain luck/value threshold when I shouldn't just salvage everything? 

2. despite 100%ing Wayfarer Foothills, the achievement "Wayfarer Foothills Novice Explorer" is only listing me as having 1 of the 20 requisites.

3.Started up a Necromancer and while I love the Shroud mechanic, is there any way I can view the Shroud replacement skills without entering it?

4.Mounts. As much as I love exploring the speed can be painful sometimes. I'm aware mounts are an expac thing. What's the quickest way I can go about getting one once I'm eligible?

5. I have a buttload of Lvl Boosters, mainly from Bday gifts. I'm holding onto them for now as I like naturally leveling. What are good situations to use these levels boosts?

6. While I'm not planning to spend irl money on the game...for now, I'm curious what the best gem shop items/services would be

7. What content are shields generally used for?

1. There are Achievements that will increase your Luck. The maximum of Luck without achievements is 300:
   https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Luck
    
2. https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Tutorial_(achievements)#Wayfarer_Foothills_Novice_Explorer
   If some of those points are truly not registered, you must have unlocked them in the past before the achievement existed. Trying on another character should definitely solve this.
    
3. https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Reaper 
   https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Scourge 
   https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Harbinger 
    
4. There are two ways of acquiring a mount quickly: playing the first PoF story mission to unlock the Raptor and playing WvW to unlock the Warclaw. However, both require further time investment to level as their Masteries can only be leveled within the respective content.
    
5. XP Boosters are most useful to level Masteries, but that only works when you're already Level 80 and are roaming the respective Mastery's maps to gain XP there. Alternatively, Boosters can be used to level your crafting disciplines, gain faster levels in WvW etc.
   Magic Find Boosters are useful when you play content whose rewards are affected by Magic Find or open loot that is affected by it.
    
6. The unlimited gathering tools are super convenient. Also, the Silver-Fed Salvage-o-Matic.
    
7. https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Shield 
   It really depends on the profession, but in general, Shields are not big damage dealing weapons. They protect and CC for most part, and are useful in a variety of builds:
    - https://metabattle.com/ (all game modes)
    - https://snowcrows.com/ (Raids and Strike Missions)
    - https://discretize.eu/builds/ (Fractals)
    - https://gw2mists.com/builds/ (WvW)
    

Edited July 5, 2022 by Ashantara.8731

[RavenousTofu.4928]

3 minutes ago, Ashantara.8731 said:

1. There are Achievements that will increase your Luck. The maximum of Luck without achievements is 300:
   https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Luck
    
2. https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Tutorial_(achievements)#Wayfarer_Foothills_Novice_Explorer
   If some of those points are truly not registered, you must have unlocked them in the past before the achievement existed. Trying on another character should definitely solve this.
    
3. https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Reaper 
   https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Scourge 
   https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Harbinger 
    
4. There are two ways of acquiring a mount quickly: playing the first PoF story mission to unlock the Raptor and playing WvW to unlock the Warclaw. However, both require further time investment to level as their Masteries can only be leveled within the respective content.
    
5. Boosters are most useful to level Masteries, but that only works when you're already Level 80 and are roaming the respective Mastery's maps to gain XP there. Alternatively, Boosters can be used to level your crafting disciplines, gain faster levels in WvW etc.
    
6. The unlimited gathering tools are super convenient. Also, the Silver-Fed Salvage-o-Matic.
    
7. https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Shield 
   It really depends on the profession, but in general, Shields are not big damage dealing weapons. They protect and CC for most part, and are useful in a variety of builds:
    - https://metabattle.com/  
    - https://snowcrows.com/  
    - https://discretize.eu/builds/  
    - https://gw2mists.com/builds/
    

Thanks for the help! 

Yea looks like I'll need to do the Wayfarer Foothills again but thankfully it's a relatively small zone.

To #3, Well aware I could just look up the skills on the wiki. But seems strange that I can view every skill for my professions weapons but can't see replacement skills for my profession feature/racial elite? Was hoping to find a way ingame to view it naturally, viewing it outside doesn't help me much but appreciate it.

 

#4, Thank you! Will definitely get purchase Expacs once 80 and go straight to the first PoF mission. All good that it requires time, any reliable speed boost is helpful beyond just "Advance".

To #5, By boosters I mean the "Boost to Level 30/40/50/60+" Boosters. Yea been using the normal boosters when applicable and saving the better ones. Sorry most likely used the wrong terminology there, my bad. I read that people use them to farm keys for Black Lion Chests? I mean that sounds OK but I'm so far from realistically wanting to spend my time/slots on that. Is it too disorienting to boost a new profession, IE maybe one I'm not too interested in but still want to have?

 

#7, Thanks for the various links! I heard about snowcrow but the others are all new to me. Seems like shields are primarily support/pvp which is all good. Just means I get to look forward to a different build to try out later on.

 

[Kaltyn of Torbins Deep.294]

On 7/4/2022 at 11:03 PM, RavenousTofu.4928 said:

#4, Thank you! Will definitely get purchase Expacs once 80 and go straight to the first PoF mission. All good that it requires time, any reliable speed boost is helpful beyond just "Advance".

There is a way to get Raptor from PoF before getting to level 80.  I've done this with a couple of people that were around level 20 or 30.  You (the low level person) party up with someone that is level 80, go to Lion's Arch with them, and when they go into the story instance at the start of PoF, you go with them.  You get the raptor from the heart vendor that is present in the first story mission after completing the heart.  It is super easy to do.  There will be some small story spoilers, but, just the base raptor mount makes getting around so much faster in core Tyria.

[Endaris.1452]

On 7/4/2022 at 11:03 PM, RavenousTofu.4928 said:

Is it too disorienting to boost a new profession, IE maybe one I'm not too interested in but still want to have?

Unless you boost straight to 80 I don't find it very disorienting.

The more you already know about the game, the less it will disorient you but what I usually do on my characters is that I boost them to level 30 as that is when all skills are unlocked and you have the first traitline as well. I usually level a bit manually there, trying to get to know my weapons and traitlines.

Then I boost to the level threshold for the second traitline unlock which is around level 50 I think and do the same.

Many classes have synergetic interactions between their traitlines so I try to explore them there! By that time you probably already know which utilities are good (there are some useless ones on most classes) and which weapon you like to play.

And then the same thing for the third traitline that you unlock around level 70 I think. Between those, nothing really changes for class gameplay so there is no particular reason to not boost inbetween the traitline unlocks if you feel comfortable with what you got and want to explore.

Edited July 6, 2022 by Endaris.1452

[that baby stealing dingo.7]

On 7/6/2022 at 11:54 AM, Endaris.1452 said:

On 7/4/2022 at 4:25 PM, RavenousTofu.4928 said:

Hey all! So technically returning to GW2 after 8 years, but by technically I mean I only got to level 10 or so on one character, so basically a new player in all regards.

Recently saw some media about GW2 and decided to =try it again, and I'm loving it so far! Took in a fair amount of tips/beginners guides but still have some questions that have popped up while I've been playing.

1. So far I've been salvaging every piece of gear I don't need for material and luck. Is there a certain luck/value threshold when I shouldn't just salvage everything?

 

A: Salvage everything until you start getting Exotic level drops. Some Exotic gear is worth more as salvaged materials than as-is. Basically, you're going to salvage 99% of the gear you find. Your magic find won't max out for a long time, I'm still eating Luck years in.

 

Quote

 

2. Having returned, I think some of the achievements and or systems around it updated without my actual status on them changing. Like for example despite 100%ing Wayfarer Foothills, the achievement "Wayfarer Foothills Novice Explorer" is only listing me as having 1 of the 20 requisites. I completed most of them AFTER returning but not sure why or how I'm supposed to fix this. Can't very well rediscover POI/Waypoints. Should I try and complete on another character?

 

A: Dunno.

3.Started up a Necromancer and while I love the Shroud mechanic, is there any way I can view the Shroud replacement skills without entering it? I know some Specs later on also replace skills and I have a hard time actually intaking information when I only have it available for limited time (usually in combat). Would also be helpful with my Norn shapeshifting skills.

 

A: No way to see it in-game I know of. You can use a good character builder to see what the effect/stats are, but not see it in action of course. Build Editor - Gw2Skills.Net 

4.Mounts. As much as I love exploring the speed can be painful sometimes. I'm aware mounts are an expac thing. What's the quickest way I can go about getting one once I'm eligible?

 

A: Raptor is easy to get, even if you don't cheese it. Start PoF expac story mode, you'll have raptor in like 20 minutes. Unlocked for all your characters. 

5. I have a buttload of Lvl Boosters, mainly from Bday gifts. I'm holding onto them for now as I like naturally leveling. What are good situations to use these levels boosts? While I aim to eventually have one of each class, I'm not really looking to have multiple of each.

A: Save them for when you are ready to start levelling a alt or new main. I agree that levelling naturally is best early on. 

 

Quote

 

6. While I'm not planning to spend irl money on the game...for now, I'm curious what the best gem shop items/services would be if I get enough gems eventually. I've already eyed the bank and inventory upgrades.

A: Storage, salvage-O-matics, hair/makeover/name change kits. Black Lion Salvage kits, if you go through them faster than the game provides them. 

 

7. Last but not least. While I love GW2's weapon system, I'm noticing that certain weapons clearly are intended for either group content (IE support and healing) or possibly harder content/pvp (Defensive). While I'm very happy using a greatsword to smack things, I was also hoping to be able to play as 1h+Shield Guardian. Unfortunately the shield seems to be primarily reactive defensive skills, which makes sense but also seems very suboptimal for solo play. What content are shields generally used for?

A: True, Guardian Shield is very group oriented, to the point of being less useful for solo exploring. I would go off hand torch, and make a burn guardian or burn hybrid. Shield on Warrior is great solo weapon, with blocking and stun; shield in Engi is great for hard CC and protection, with some group support in the traits; 

Thanks for any and all help! 

 

 

Edited July 19, 2022 by that baby stealing dingo.7