Help for a returning player

[xMaracx.4208]

So I've recently returned to GW2 (stopped playing before the start of HoT) and bought both expansions, while I was enthusiastic about returning the whole thing has been a bit confusing for me. Namely I have 2 main issues: I am seriously struggling to navigate Verdant Brink. Yes I know I am supposed to do the mastery things to unlock mushrooms and what not, but its taking so long and during that time the navigation is honestly pretty terrible for me. Now I realise I must be doing something hence this request. The other thing is, I understand they've re-done the skills system. And I looked up what each tree does on the wiki, but I am still conflicted whether to use my toon's saved up hero points on redoing my spec or save it for an elite one. If someone could please explain to me how to best utilize what I already got I'd appreciate it. I got a Guardian with most of Signet Training done, with fully complete Radiance, Valor and Honor. I don't really recall what I did before the rework but I know I used Greatsword, Hammer, and M&Shield combo the most, I know its stupid of me to ask this but here I am.

[Vayne.8563]

The easy question to answer is the skill one. You can't save the points. That is, you have to spend enough points to unlock every skill and specialization before you are eligible to start working on elite specializations.

As for the Verdant Brink issue, it's fine if you stack buffs and play the game as if it's the game, instead of something you're just trying to get through. I mean half the story in the expansions is in the quest chains anyway. Use food and utility buffs, guild buffs, birthday or celebration boosters, XP buffs if you have them. Do event chains, kill creatures with high bonus XP and you'll have what you need in no time.

[xMaracx.4208]

That's what I thought too, and I figured hey I'll just enjoy the story and It'll be fine. But a lot of the story Involves traversing the map vertically and I made the mistake of going for Updraft before Itzel Mushrooms, and now I'm at the point where I have to talk to a scout who's apparently sitting somewhere high up and the only way to get to him that I saw was the mushroom, which I can't access. But thank you for your response I really appreciate it.

[Josif.2015]

@xMaracx.4208 said:I am still conflicted whether to use my toon's saved up hero points on redoing my spec or save it for an elite one. If someone could please explain to me how to best utilize what I already got I'd appreciate it. I got a Guardian with most of Signet Training done, with fully complete Radiance, Valor and Honor. I don't really recall what I did before the rework but I know I used Greatsword, Hammer, and M&Shield combo the most, I know its stupid of me to ask this but here I am.

By the time you reach level 80, you should have every single core utility skill/specialization unlocked with map completion resulting in you nearly unlocking one elite specialization. Don't worry about not having enough hero points to unlock a certain specialization or utility skills, there are plenty for you to unlock pretty much everything.

Core guardian is better for open world PvE than Dragonhunter and Firebrand because of the high damage you can deal. Take Zeal (2-2-3), Radiance (3-3-3) and Virtues (1-2-1). You don't have to worry about sustain unless you are having a tough time dealing with some enemies in which case replace Virtues for Valor (2-2-2) and use meditation skills.

[xMaracx.4208]

Thanks man! This will help alot!

[xMaracx.4208]

Hey Hoodie, I just unlocked the elite specs and got the Firebrand, now I'll go with your build but the game says I should pick stats for the axe? Whats stats is Firebrand looking for?

[Urud.4925]

@xMaracx.4208 said:That's what I thought too, and I figured hey I'll just enjoy the story and It'll be fine. But a lot of the story Involves traversing the map vertically and I made the mistake of going for Updraft before Itzel Mushrooms, and now I'm at the point where I have to talk to a scout who's apparently sitting somewhere high up and the only way to get to him that I saw was the mushroom, which I can't access. But thank you for your response I really appreciate it.

Later on (I won't spoiler), you will also need updraft and it's definitely an useful skill in Maguuma, so you didn't do a mistake to prioritise it.I believe that you can reach that NPC even without the jumping mushroom. When it's night, use one of the choppers in one pact area (they are marked with a red smoke) to teleport you to the canopy. From this high location, you should be able to glide to the NPC. If you play on EU servers and need a mesmer, hit me in game.

As for Verdant Brink... all the maps in Maguuma are difficult to navigate at the beginning. It's a huge and disorienting jungle after all, that's indeed the idea. Once you know them better, they become fascinating (I hated Tangled Depths and Draconis Mons but now they are among the maps that I like the most).

[Josif.2015]

@xMaracx.4208 said:Hey Hoodie, I just unlocked the elite specs and got the Firebrand, now I'll go with your build but the game says I should pick stats for the axe? Whats stats is Firebrand looking for?

If you look closely at the axe stats, you can see that the first two auto attack chains inflict bleeding and the third chain inflicts strong burning. The axe is a mostly condition weapon and indeed the Firebrand benefits mostly from condition damage when fighting enemies. Power Firebrand is a viable choice, but to me Firebrand seems to do better with condition damage. The reason for that is that the Firebrand can use condition damage to distract the enemy while healing allies.

Power professions use Berserker gear with scholar runes in order to deal the highest damage, while condition professions use Viper gear with renegade runes. Condition gear is slightly more expensive to get, but if you're looking for a budget condition gear that is almost as good, craft Rabid gear with nightmare runes. Rabid gear is the cheapest of all gears to craft and nightmare runes can be acquired as random drops in Twilight Arbor (explorable mode).

Also, Hoodie is just my display name. Karras is my actual alias. Similar to how Peutrifectus's actual alias is Sparkr.