Elite Spec Predictions

[Puck.3697]

5 hours ago, Kodama.6453 said:

I kinda doubt that they will give the same weapon to 3 different elite specs.

At most we had 2 elite specs in the same expansion getting the same weapon:

 

• staff (druid and daredevil in hot)
• shield (chronomancer and herald in hot)
• axe (firebrand and mirage in pof)
• sword (holosmith and weaver in pof)
• dagger (spellbreaker and soulbeast in pof)

 

So, many examples of double releases of elite spec weapons, but not a single precedence case of the same weapon used thrice.

I would assume that they will keep it that way to still have some diversity.

 

I also consider it extremely unlikely that ranger gets rifle to fill a sniper role, since deadeye already did the exact same thing.

 

 

im sure several of them will be incorrect if not most. its Just ideas that could be. i guess 😄

[MedievalThings.5417]

Warrior - staff

Rev - Scepter

Guardian - no idea

 

Ranger - hammer

Thief - focus

Engineer - two hand weapon

 

Necro - sword

Mesmer - pistol mainhand

Ele - greatsword or shield

 

I feel fairly confident that thief, ranger and mesmer will get the weapons I listed.

[Morokey.8534]

I guess

Warrior-staff

Guardian-dagger

Revenant-greatsword

Ranger-rifle/pistol(s)

Enginer-mace

Thief-no idea

Necromancer-sword

Elementalist-torch

Mesmer-dagger

[Raknar.4735]

Warrior              MH Pistol

Guardian          OH Sword

Revenant          Greatsword

Ranger              Sceptre

Enginer             Mace

Thief                 Torch

Necromancer Shield

Elementalist    Pistol

Mesmer           Rifle

[Raarsi.6798]

On 5/12/2021 at 2:07 PM, Acyk.9671 said:

Yes it makes sense but people have an attraction for melee especially when it comes to warrior. That's why they want staff or think it's obvious to get staff. 

 

It's more an argument of class identity v. mechanics.  Yes, pistol warrior would be cool (I personally wouldn't be opposed to it) and would fit mechanically, but when it clashes against the overarching themes of that identity, it's the themes that are more likely to take precedent.  When players see warrior, they see the high health and high armor, and they'll expect it to be something that isn't some glass cannon sitting in the back.  When players see what we have of Cantha, they see Eastern themes, and this is where the idea of an Eastern-themed warrior spec starts to form.  When players see what warrior lacks in terms of elite specs, they see that they don't exactly have a "healer" or general support spec like some other classes do, and factoring in the Eastern themes of a Canthan expansion and the expectations of what the warrior class is within this game, this is where you get the idea of a staff-wielding warrior still in melee.

 

Yes, you could bring up the historical "officer/commander" argument, but that also clashes with the expectations that come with the warrior class, especially when such military leaders at that time were smart enough not to lead from the front (also we don't fight on horseback, so there's that).  You could bring up the "warriors need a ranged option" argument, but between two (mostly) decent ranged weapon options already at their disposal and the high HP/heavy armor combo that comes attached with the overarching identity of the warrior class, adding pistols to that seem almost unusual.

 

Again, pistol warrior would be cool.  It's just that with how many arguments there are for doing it, there are even more arguments for opting toward some other weapon choice.

[crewthief.8649]

On 5/11/2021 at 6:32 PM, Raarsi.6798 said:

Warrior: Either Monk or something like a Warlord.  Either way, more support and likely using a staff because of how goofy it'd be for a frontline combatant in heavy armor needing to aim their pistols.

Guardian: Thinking Ritualist or something caster-esque, using OH sword or mace because they kinda have most of the weapons that fit their fantasy.  They could probably get Monk too, but it does seem kinda redundant for Guardian.

Revenant: Depends on who the legend will be, which is weird since we already have a Canthan one.  Likely greatsword, but I personally want an asuran legend since that'd be a much better excuse for Golemancer.

Engineer: Something involving chemicals (maybe focus or mace?) or pyrotechnics (torch), especially when the source of inspiration for Cantha was adept in using and innovating on both of those.

Ranger: Hoping for something like a Beastwarden or any spec that brings in whole stampedes of animals.  Probably either hammer or maces if it's melee, or rifle if it's ranged (like a ranged class needs one of those...).

Thief: Honestly hoping for a Barber as a healing spec (in sailing speak, "barber" = "barber, doctor, surgeon, guy with the meds"), with axes for weapons.

Elementalist: Arcanist?  We already have a spec that doubles down on elements (Tempest) and a spec that mixes them together (Weaver), so maybe a spec that puts more focus on Arcane abilities?  Weapon I guess could be mace or hammer.

Mesmer: This is where I'd put something like Ninja, as they were specialists not just in tricks, but in taking advantage of the illusion of what people think they could do.

Necromancer: I kinda want a Summoner for this one.  Something that puts life force into either calling hordes of undead or powering one gigantic undead.

It (Warrior pistols) could be mixed with melee, i.e. pistol whip, close-range shot, etc.. Then, mix in some mid-range options. And FYI, pistols (IRL) are meant for close-range (<50 meters).

 

 Also, I get your argument regarding thematic implications, however, not all the elite specs that came out of PoF were Arabic themed, so there’s precedent for Anet to disregard theme in favor of fun.

Edited May 14, 2021 by crewthief.8649

[TheBravery.9615]

On 5/4/2021 at 1:29 PM, Dadnir.5038 said:

- Guardian: Sinner: Light fields changed to dark fields, virtue changed to Sins (justice changed to wrath and apply torment, resolve change to gluttony and leech life, courage changed to pride and grant barrier instead of blocking effects), sword offhand, mobile fighter.

 

ngl that's a pretty cool idea

[Puck.3697]

On 5/14/2021 at 8:07 AM, Raarsi.6798 said:

 

It's more an argument of class identity v. mechanics.  Yes, pistol warrior would be cool (I personally wouldn't be opposed to it) and would fit mechanically, but when it clashes against the overarching themes of that identity, it's the themes that are more likely to take precedent.  When players see warrior, they see the high health and high armor, and they'll expect it to be something that isn't some glass cannon sitting in the back.  When players see what we have of Cantha, they see Eastern themes, and this is where the idea of an Eastern-themed warrior spec starts to form.  When players see what warrior lacks in terms of elite specs, they see that they don't exactly have a "healer" or general support spec like some other classes do, and factoring in the Eastern themes of a Canthan expansion and the expectations of what the warrior class is within this game, this is where you get the idea of a staff-wielding warrior still in melee.

 

Yes, you could bring up the historical "officer/commander" argument, but that also clashes with the expectations that come with the warrior class, especially when such military leaders at that time were smart enough not to lead from the front (also we don't fight on horseback, so there's that).  You could bring up the "warriors need a ranged option" argument, but between two (mostly) decent ranged weapon options already at their disposal and the high HP/heavy armor combo that comes attached with the overarching identity of the warrior class, adding pistols to that seem almost unusual.

 

Again, pistol warrior would be cool.  It's just that with how many arguments there are for doing it, there are even more arguments for opting toward some other weapon choice.

 

I'm hoping they go spear with warrior give em the eastern spear fighting animation with the tassels attached to the head to confuse opponents. 

 

THe condition it could apply is confusion. 

 

 

[Touchme.1097]

Cantha is coming back, but this time in GW2, because Anet is not providing us with any information about the coming expansion I will list some of the elite specs that are most likely coming with the  End of Dragons.

 

Warden for Rangers, probably a melee based spec

Assassin for Thieves, condi melee based spec

Ritualist???

Paragon???

Dervish???

Monk???

 

I will update you on the rest once I have gathered enough clues

Edited May 15, 2021 by Touchme.1097

[TheBravery.9615]

This is what I drafted up for a support bruiser kind of elite spec for warrior

[Grand Marshal.4098]

On 5/4/2021 at 11:29 PM, Dadnir.5038 said:

 

doubleposted

Edited May 15, 2021 by Grand Marshal.4098

[Grand Marshal.4098]

On 5/4/2021 at 11:29 PM, Dadnir.5038 said:

- Guardian: Sinner: Light fields changed to dark fields, virtue changed to Sins (justice changed to wrath and apply torment, resolve change to gluttony and leech life, courage changed to pride and grant barrier instead of blocking effects), sword offhand, mobile fighter.

How about calling them Vices instead of Sins and add the 'Avenger' name to it from other suggestions? Now that sounds kitten if running dual swords. 

Edited May 15, 2021 by Grand Marshal.4098

[Dadnir.5038]

5 hours ago, Grand Marshal.4098 said:

How about calling them Vices instead of Sins and add the 'Avenger' name to it from other suggestions? Now that sounds kitten if running dual swords. 

I just gathered the idea on the fly, I didn't really tried. Just re-reading quickly what I wrote I'd restrict the light field to dark field change to guardian's symbols only.

[Raarsi.6798]

On 5/15/2021 at 3:26 AM, Daddy.8125 said:

 

I'm hoping they go spear with warrior give em the eastern spear fighting animation with the tassels attached to the head to confuse opponents. 

 

THe condition it could apply is confusion. 

 

 

 

Easier alternative for devs to do would be to use those attack motions for staff and then making their spec weapon appearance a spear.  While it's not an actual spear, it just needs to look like one and act like one, and that'd be a far simpler task than trying to completely rework an aquatic-only weapon to work in a different battle mode.

 

Confusion seems like an unusual choice of condition too (bleeds, torments, maybe even poison makes more sense to me), but I guess something could be arranged to pull that off.

 

  

On 5/14/2021 at 9:04 AM, crewthief.8649 said:

Also, I get your argument regarding thematic implications, however, not all the elite specs that came out of PoF were Arabic themed, so there’s precedent for Anet to disregard theme in favor of fun.

 

Except that was exclusively Revenant due to not having many options for legends from Elona.  Every other elite spec from PoF had some sort of lore tying them to some part of the region.  It's also why we got more elite specs that are more like their core spec on steroids like Firebrand or Soulbeast.

 

It's also possible that Revenant could repeat this unique circumstance in EoD due to the "already having a legend from Cantha", and also why I left it the most vague compared to other classes in the list I did here.

Edited May 17, 2021 by Raarsi.6798

[Astralporing.1957]

I thought i will post it in this thread, instead of making a new one, since it is tangentially related.

 

I find it quit ironic, that in 2021 we are going to see a scythe-wielding class, that is a melee-dps oriented profession that empowers itself by channeling mystical otherworldly entities - with the ultimate form of that being an Avatar form. And it is ironic, because we're going to see it in FF XIV. Not in GW2.

[Kodama.6453]

1 hour ago, Astralporing.1957 said:

I thought i will post it in this thread, instead of making a new one, since it is tangentially related.

 

I find it quit ironic, that in 2021 we are going to see a scythe-wielding class, that is a melee-dps oriented profession that empowers itself by channeling mystical otherworldly entities - with the ultimate form of that being an Avatar form. And it is ironic, because we're going to see it in FF XIV. Not in GW2.

I mean.... that sounds really close to reaper, doesn't it?

[Astralporing.1957]

13 minutes ago, Kodama.6453 said:

I mean.... that sounds really close to reaper, doesn't it?

In reality, GW2 Reaper fulfills only one of those features - it is a melee-dps oriented profession. Beyond that, it does not wield scythe, but GS (and even deathshroud weapon is just a scythe-looking hammer). It does not use magic coming from other entities (or, at least, not as far as we know it). It does not invite those entities within themselves to become their Avatar.

Although it does share one more thing with the new FF XIV class - that one is also called a Reaper.

Edited May 17, 2021 by Astralporing.1957

[Jski.6180]

Ele going to get a shield and it will be a copy of tempest / weaver / core and do the same things that all ele classes seem to do with slightly different. The way the community will reacted will try to make it into a dps class in pve and a support in wvw/spvp. I have no faith in anet making a good or even a different elite spec for ele.

[Kodama.6453]

1 hour ago, Astralporing.1957 said:

In reality, GW2 Reaper fulfills only one of those features - it is a melee-dps oriented profession. Beyond that, it does not wield scythe, but GS (and even deathshroud weapon is just a scythe-looking hammer). It does not use magic coming from other entities (or, at least, not as far as we know it). It does not invite those entities within themselves to become their Avatar.

Although it does share one more thing with the new FF XIV class - that one is also called a Reaper.

It doesn't matter if the scythe is coded as a hammer. Thematically and visually, it is still a big fricking scythe.

 

About inviting an entity into your body: from the classes, just revenant would fit that. However, you can accomplish the same with a human reaper and the elite skill "reaper of grenth". You are inviting the power of grenth into your body and become an avatar, just like the derwisch back then in GW1.

 

All you say there is thematically already there in GW2. Probably just not in the way you personally would have preferred for it to get implemented.

[Stx.4857]

I know this is a boring answer...  but as an engineer I don't want a new spec I want the current ones to be better..  I want to be able to play core specs using kits and gadgets and not be forced into holo or some new spec gimmick.

[Astralporing.1957]

7 hours ago, Stx.4857 said:

I know this is a boring answer...  but as an engineer I don't want a new spec I want the current ones to be better..  I want to be able to play core specs using kits and gadgets and not be forced into holo or some new spec gimmick.

Yes, that is something they clearly forgotten about. Some of the elite specs are very, very different in how they're played from the core classes. Not everyone that liked core might like the espec, for purely gameplay/thematic reasons. Which is fine if the espec introduces something new to the class (i.e. druid being a heal/support spec for ranger), but it is very bad if the espec not only lays very differently, but also occupies some central role from the class. So, it was fine for the Scourge to be a support/heal espec. It was probably fine for Reaper to become power melee spec. It was not fine for both to become better at being condi dps classes than core is.

 

It is a bit different in the cases of the few especs that either don't change the class significantly, or enhance certain gameplay style that already existed within class (for example, DH, Tempest, Soulbeast, even when they are used for the same roles as core, can be played similarily enough they can be seen as just plain enhancements, and not a significant departure from the original class aestethic/feel). Unfortunately, many especs are very much not like that - they either go a bit too far with core mechanics (Weaver) or significantly change the way class is played (i. e. Reaper, Scourge, Mirage) while at the same time also taking over a role that was core to the original class identity.

 

Notice, that this also holds true for different espec interactions. It's not good, for example, for Mirage and Renegade to get support options when the class already has an espec that was meant to be support one from the beginning (Chrono and Herald respectively).

 

So, basically, an espec should never replace core at something core was originally meant to be good for (or, at least, if core had multiple roles originally, at least one of those should be left to it). At the same time new espec replacing the old one at something the old espec should have been especially good at is also not something that ever should happen.

Edited May 18, 2021 by Astralporing.1957

[Puck.3697]

On 5/17/2021 at 2:59 AM, Raarsi.6798 said:

 

Easier alternative for devs to do would be to use those attack motions for staff and then making their spec weapon appearance a spear.  While it's not an actual spear, it just needs to look like one and act like one, and that'd be a far simpler task than trying to completely rework an aquatic-only weapon to work in a different battle mode.

 

Confusion seems like an unusual choice of condition too (bleeds, torments, maybe even poison makes more sense to me), but I guess something could be arranged to pull that off.

 

  

 

Except that was exclusively Revenant due to not having many options for legends from Elona.  Every other elite spec from PoF had some sort of lore tying them to some part of the region.  It's also why we got more elite specs that are more like their core spec on steroids like Firebrand or Soulbeast.

 

It's also possible that Revenant could repeat this unique circumstance in EoD due to the "already having a legend from Cantha", and also why I left it the most vague compared to other classes in the list I did here.

 

 

i do agree, it would be easier.. but i'd be more hype if it was spear.

 

Also my grounds on Confusion is, if u look at eastern Spear movement uses, they use motions with the hair attached to their target to obsecure the movement of the spear. to confuse the opponant before striking. thats the purpose of the hair tied to the spear to distract the movement of the spear.

 

Revenant, im pretty confident will get Greatsword imho. they're hint towards aknowledging they know rev hasnt got a real power option kinda implies we will see them give them a Power build.

 

with ranger.. im hoping we see something that throws longbow out the meta, Rangers fun.. outside that weapon Rapid Fire spam is boring.

[Raarsi.6798]

On 5/19/2021 at 5:08 AM, Daddy.8125 said:

 

 

i do agree, it would be easier.. but i'd be more hype if it was spear.

 

Also my grounds on Confusion is, if u look at eastern Spear movement uses, they use motions with the hair attached to their target to obsecure the movement of the spear. to confuse the opponant before striking. thats the purpose of the hair tied to the spear to distract the movement of the spear.

 

That's sort of a purpose.  It was also intended to soak up blood from the spearhead so it wouldn't run down the rest of the spear and make it too slippery for someone to hold onto.

 

For Revenant, I do agree that a power build spec is necessary, but that doesn't necessarily equate to greatsword.  Yes, it's likely, but I wouldn't rule it out.

 

And yes, Rangers could use stand to use less longbow.  I'm guessing you're referring to the WvW meta since I'm usually doing PvE, where axes tend to reign in the non-melee power build department.

[Puck.3697]

10 minutes ago, Raarsi.6798 said:

 

That's sort of a purpose.  It was also intended to soak up blood from the spearhead so it wouldn't run down the rest of the spear and make it too slippery for someone to hold onto.

 

For Revenant, I do agree that a power build spec is necessary, but that doesn't necessarily equate to greatsword.  Yes, it's likely, but I wouldn't rule it out.

 

And yes, Rangers could use stand to use less longbow.  I'm guessing you're referring to the WvW meta since I'm usually doing PvE, where axes tend to reign in the non-melee power build department.

 

the main reason i guess greatsword.. is basically due to Revs off hand options.

 

offhand sword is more utility then Power based

Offhand axe is a hybrid

Shield u have to be herald to use.

 

if they wanna bring a Power build that isnt going to be ignored to just stay condi renegade... they're gonna have to introduce something that has ALOT of power based Damage. because rev doesnt have alot of power based DPS right now at all. which means it isnt exactly flexible.

 

a 2 handed Weapon is the only fix to the lack of off hand option to the specc.

 

Otherwise u'll end up with basically a offhand Slot which u have 0 wep swap options for.

 

while

 

Greatsword + Sword/Axe is effectively the most ideal Power set up they could base a power specc in right now. i mean sure rifle or longbow could provide the exact same thing. if they'd add 2 ranged weapons in a row to the class. i dunno my gut says GS is the Easiest option for them to add realistically.

 

if it isnt that.

 

the New weapon will be a offhand. to fix the above problem. as rev already has Sword as a Rly strong maihand weapon choice.. and rev just in PvE will have 0 Wep swap and in PvP remain on staff.

 

ouit of the 2 i'd prefer to see wep swap.. and the only offhands revs missing is like..  Mace and Pistol

 

on ranger.. it is, but power builds stil utilise the bow or gs in the offhand. and generally im referring to SPVP aye.. longbow is utilised alot in SPVP and i think its just a really unfun design to play or be against.

Edited May 23, 2021 by Daddy.8125

[Raarsi.6798]

On 5/23/2021 at 1:55 PM, Daddy.8125 said:

 

the main reason i guess greatsword.. is basically due to Revs off hand options.

 

offhand sword is more utility then Power based

Offhand axe is a hybrid

Shield u have to be herald to use.

 

if they wanna bring a Power build that isnt going to be ignored to just stay condi renegade... they're gonna have to introduce something that has ALOT of power based Damage. because rev doesnt have alot of power based DPS right now at all. which means it isnt exactly flexible.

 

a 2 handed Weapon is the only fix to the lack of off hand option to the specc.

 

Otherwise u'll end up with basically a offhand Slot which u have 0 wep swap options for.

 

while

 

Greatsword + Sword/Axe is effectively the most ideal Power set up they could base a power specc in right now. i mean sure rifle or longbow could provide the exact same thing. if they'd add 2 ranged weapons in a row to the class. i dunno my gut says GS is the Easiest option for them to add realistically.

 

if it isnt that.

 

the New weapon will be a offhand. to fix the above problem. as rev already has Sword as a Rly strong maihand weapon choice.. and rev just in PvE will have 0 Wep swap and in PvP remain on staff.

 

ouit of the 2 i'd prefer to see wep swap.. and the only offhands revs missing is like..  Mace and Pistol

 

on ranger.. it is, but power builds stil utilise the bow or gs in the offhand. and generally im referring to SPVP aye.. longbow is utilised alot in SPVP and i think its just a really unfun design to play or be against.

 

I do agree that GS would be the easiest to add, but mostly because what legends they could add would like be GS users (mostly looking at either norn or tengu legends).

 

Couple reasons why I bring up rifle though.  The big one is that while shortbow is a great non-melee option for primarily condi builds, hammer doesn't really provide that for power builds, especially after it's been nerfed into next decade because of WvW balancing.  The other reason was from considering what legends we could get, and rifle was the first that came to mind when thinking about the possibility of an Asuran legend--yes, it could be some caster weapon like a scepter or a focus, but the first name that came to mind was Snaff, and the part of the PoF Living Story where you fight with him from the Mists had him using a rifle (probably because he didn't have Big Snaff with him).

 

And yes, ranger longbow I see pretty much like rev hammer: it's pretty good in content I don't play, and feels super bleh anywhere else.